Little Bones on Canadian Idol - Printable Version
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Re: Little Bones on Canadian Idol - briansmccabe - 08-15-2008
The Horrible Esthete Wrote:I'll back you on this.
I know what you're talking about without even listening to examples. I think this live-vocal "metamorphasis" has actually occurred in a couple different phases. I first noticed a difference in the tonal quality of his voice during live performances through the TATH / PP era -- it was a difference that seemed to be rooted in technique, as if he was taking steps to reduce the strain on his cords. I certainly can't wax technical on the specifics of those vocal performances, but it seemed that he was "emphasizing" (or utilizing) the lungs more than he previously had. And then around the time of IVL, he seemed to take it a step further.
While I've noticed some differences over time, it hasn't bothered me. I've always appreciated how hard he "got after it", and continues to get after it after all these years. I'm sure that thousands of maniacal, balls-to-the-wall performances have done quite the job on his vocal cords. They're probably half-shredded in there.
Thank you for that. You explained it far better (and more succinctly) than I ever could.
Like I said, the effect it has on the quality of the performance is purely subjective, and believe me - I am very glad there are loads of fans that are not put off by it. If everyone felt the way I did, no one would go to shows anymore and the band sooner or later would fold.
The intriguing thing about it is that it's not like that at ALL on the records. World Container has some of Gord's best vocal melodies on it, and he sings beautifully on that album. Perhaps you're right, and he reverts to what he does on the road as a means of self-preservation.
My absence from their shows has nothing to do with this change, lest anyone think so. I live in a place they don't play, so my only option has been to travel. With a wife and three kids to feed, my priorities are elsewhere. But if they came to my town, I'd be there in a heartbeat.
Re: Little Bones on Canadian Idol - Billy - 08-15-2008
The Horrible Esthete Wrote:briansmccabe Wrote:But a botched tune from time to time isn't exactly what I'm talking about here. Gord's vocals have undergone a wholesale overhaul in style. Take just about any performance of just about any song and compare a pre-IBE performance of it to a post-IBE performance of it, and you'll see (hear) what I mean. The video of the week of IAGLIYDW is a *perfect* example. I'm not talking about a tune here, a tune there every third show or anything. I'm talking *practically all the time.* I'm not imagining this. He is singing differently.
I'll back you on this.
I know what you're talking about without even listening to examples. I think this live-vocal "metamorphasis" has actually occurred in a couple different phases. I first noticed a difference in the tonal quality of his voice during live performances through the TATH / PP era -- it was a difference that seemed to be rooted in technique, as if he was taking steps to reduce the strain on his cords. I certainly can't wax technical on the specifics of those vocal performances, but it seemed that he was "emphasizing" (or utilizing) the lungs more than he previously had. And then around the time of IVL, he seemed to take it a step further.
While I've noticed some differences over time, it hasn't bothered me. I've always appreciated how hard he "got after it", and continues to get after it after all these years. I'm sure that thousands of maniacal, balls-to-the-wall performances have done quite the job on his vocal cords. They're probably half-shredded in there.
yup...that's it in a nutshell, although I think started during the post Phantom Power tours. His vocal change has been very obvious to me. I'm ok with it, but I sure miss the vocal performances he used to deliver.
Re: Little Bones on Canadian Idol - mintgreenbird - 08-18-2008
there is a Canadian idol? what the hell! :wink: to be fair i also dont watch American Idol.... (till this year when i picked David Cook week one!) i saw him play with the mic stand ever so little... i was like this guy is comfortable day one,,, killer song choices WIN
Re: Little Bones on Canadian Idol - cochise - 08-18-2008
Billy Wrote:The Horrible Esthete Wrote:briansmccabe Wrote:But a botched tune from time to time isn't exactly what I'm talking about here. Gord's vocals have undergone a wholesale overhaul in style. Take just about any performance of just about any song and compare a pre-IBE performance of it to a post-IBE performance of it, and you'll see (hear) what I mean. The video of the week of IAGLIYDW is a *perfect* example. I'm not talking about a tune here, a tune there every third show or anything. I'm talking *practically all the time.* I'm not imagining this. He is singing differently.
I'll back you on this.
I know what you're talking about without even listening to examples. I think this live-vocal "metamorphasis" has actually occurred in a couple different phases. I first noticed a difference in the tonal quality of his voice during live performances through the TATH / PP era -- it was a difference that seemed to be rooted in technique, as if he was taking steps to reduce the strain on his cords. I certainly can't wax technical on the specifics of those vocal performances, but it seemed that he was "emphasizing" (or utilizing) the lungs more than he previously had. And then around the time of IVL, he seemed to take it a step further.
While I've noticed some differences over time, it hasn't bothered me. I've always appreciated how hard he "got after it", and continues to get after it after all these years. I'm sure that thousands of maniacal, balls-to-the-wall performances have done quite the job on his vocal cords. They're probably half-shredded in there.
yup...that's it in a nutshell, although I think started during the post Phantom Power tours. His vocal change has been very obvious to me. I'm ok with it, but I sure miss the vocal performances he used to deliver.
Really, I can not think of one singer who’s voice has not changed over time……….Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, Gordon Lightfoot, Steven Tyler, Bono……….
Years of performances are bound to have an impact on it, musicians can buy new instruments when they begin to show signs of wear……..vocalists don’t have that option…..
Re: Little Bones on Canadian Idol - Billy - 08-18-2008
cochise Wrote:Really, I can not think of one singer who’s voice has not changed over time……….Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, Gordon Lightfoot, Steven Tyler, Bono……….
Years of performances are bound to have an impact on it, musicians can buy new instruments when they begin to show signs of wear……..vocalists don’t have that option…..
I dunno, I saw the Black Crowes last month (fantastic show btw) and Chris Robinson sounded as crisp and clear as he did 20 years ago, and he's got a style that seems like it would be very unforgiving on the vocal chords.
Re: Little Bones on Canadian Idol - cochise - 08-19-2008
Billy Wrote:cochise Wrote:Really, I can not think of one singer who’s voice has not changed over time……….Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, Gordon Lightfoot, Steven Tyler, Bono……….
Years of performances are bound to have an impact on it, musicians can buy new instruments when they begin to show signs of wear……..vocalists don’t have that option…..
I dunno, I saw the Black Crowes last month (fantastic show btw) and Chris Robinson sounded as crisp and clear as he did 20 years ago, and he's got a style that seems like it would be very unforgiving on the vocal chords.
Its funny you say that........about a month ago I watched an HD broadcast of a Black Crowes concert........I thought Chris Robinson sounds really "nasal" throughout the whole performance?? Maybe it was just an off night or something, but it didn't sound too good to me?
Re: Little Bones on Canadian Idol - Billy - 08-19-2008
cochise Wrote:Billy Wrote:cochise Wrote:Really, I can not think of one singer who’s voice has not changed over time……….Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, Gordon Lightfoot, Steven Tyler, Bono……….
Years of performances are bound to have an impact on it, musicians can buy new instruments when they begin to show signs of wear……..vocalists don’t have that option…..
I dunno, I saw the Black Crowes last month (fantastic show btw) and Chris Robinson sounded as crisp and clear as he did 20 years ago, and he's got a style that seems like it would be very unforgiving on the vocal chords.
Its funny you say that........about a month ago I watched an HD broadcast of a Black Crowes concert........I thought Chris Robinson sounds really "nasal" throughout the whole performance?? Maybe it was just an off night or something, but it didn't sound too good to me?
Must have been an off night. I thought he sounded terrific when I saw them in July but quite often what you perceive and what is factual can be very different. Luckily though, the Crowes have been releasing the soundboard audio from all their concerts shortly after the event, so I purchased the audio from the show I was at. It confirms how good his voice sounded.
Re: Little Bones on Canadian Idol - The Horrible Esthete - 08-19-2008
cochise Wrote:Really, I can not think of one singer who’s voice has not changed over time……….Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, Gordon Lightfoot, Steven Tyler, Bono……….
Years of performances are bound to have an impact on it, musicians can buy new instruments when they begin to show signs of wear……..vocalists don’t have that option…..
Sure. It's just the "cost of doing business" for most vocalists, and especially for rock singers.
But based upon my impressions, I'd venture to say that the "difference" I hear in live performances is separate from the changes in the texture and tone of his voice that are a byproduct of maturation and use. For instance, if you compare the sound of his voice on World Container against that of Up to Here, you'll notice differences which are most likely attributable to wear and age. But to me, there's also a notable difference when you compare the vocals on World Container with those on a recording of a live performance which occurred early in the first leg of a recent tour.
Of course, it's entirely possible that I'm off base on this, but I submit that the latter 'difference' is due to a conscious step GD has taken to reduce the cumulative impacts of touring on his vocal cords.
As I said earlier, I began noticing a difference in his voice during live performances at points on the TATH tour (1996), and by the PP tour (1998), it was even more noticeable. At the time, I wondered whether it was an "aesthetic choice" on his part, but what I hadn't realized at the time was that The Hip played twice as many live dates in the 1995 calandar year than ever before (according to the concert databases here on the Hipbase and also on thehip.com)
TTH played:
▪ 10 dates in 1990
▪ 25 dates in 1991
▪ 22 dates in 1992
▪ 21 dates in 1993
▪ 45 dates in 1994
▪ 95 dates in 1995
▪ 88 dates in 1996
Thus, a noticeable change in his live-vocal stylings during the TATH / PP era don't strike me as coincidental. And it begs the question: was the change a uncontrolled result of the strain subjected to the vocal cords over an extended period of touring, or was it a deliberate modification by GD to protect / preserve / sustain his pipes?
I would assume that it was the latter, and would cite the last four studio recordings as rationale -- because on those records, his voice sounds far closer to the "Gord of old" than it does when he's onstage.
Re: Little Bones on Canadian Idol - chris - 08-19-2008
The dates on hipbase and thehip.com are just the ones that we know about - as the sharing of tour dates wasn't what it is today.
The Hip played hundreds of shows per year in the early years - touring their way across the county and back.
Gord also quit smoking about 10 years ago - I wonder if that opened up his lungs, and sparked a change in his tone and technique?
Re: Little Bones on Canadian Idol - ceebuler - 08-19-2008
I doubt very much that he has taken to shouting everything at the top of his lungs in order to PROTECT his vocal cords.
Re: Little Bones on Canadian Idol - Phantom51 - 08-19-2008
ceebuler Wrote:I doubt very much that he has taken to shouting everything at the top of his lungs in order to PROTECT his vocal cords.
agreed!
Re: Little Bones on Canadian Idol - robert goulet - 08-19-2008
Can't we just all agree that Canadian Idol sucks huge sweaty ass....and we should all pray that no Hip song ever makes it on the show again.
Re: Little Bones on Canadian Idol - thedarkcanuck - 08-19-2008
robert goulet Wrote:Can't we just all agree that Canadian Idol sucks huge sweaty ass....and we should all pray that no Hip song ever makes it on the show again.
i`ve been praying for this since i witnessed the travesty that is earl stevenson
Re: Little Bones on Canadian Idol - Phantom51 - 08-20-2008
robert goulet Wrote:Can't we just all agree that Canadian Idol sucks huge sweaty ass....and we should all pray that no Hip song ever makes it on the show again.agreed!
Re: Little Bones on Canadian Idol - The Horrible Esthete - 08-20-2008
chris Wrote:The dates on hipbase and thehip.com are just the ones that we know about - as the sharing of tour dates wasn't what it is today.
The Hip played hundreds of shows per year in the early years - touring their way across the county and back.
Well that shoots holes in part of the rationale behind my theory, huh?
I knew that some early 90's shows were missing from the database, but of course, I have no idea how many.
chris Wrote:Gord also quit smoking about 10 years ago - I wonder if that opened up his lungs, and sparked a change in his tone and technique?
Possibly....but if that were the case, you would think that change could be heard on the M@W, IVL, IBE, and WC records?