When ornament is detriment...

[gurdymonkey]

Some of my friends may recall a post from the other night when I said I couldn't get into "Clash of the Choirs."

I decided to give it another chance last night as I was browsing. I clicked the remote and all I could hear was screaming.

I don't know whether it to blame Mariah Carey or Whitney Houston, but I do know that the all-ornamentation-all-the-time style of vocal caterwauling definitely became popular in the 1990's.  This afternoon, after a very busy day at work, I thought I'd relax with the Charlotte Philharmonic's Christmas Wonderland on PBS. The orchestral pieces were fine, the choral bits were fine - and then the Philharmonic Singers DESTROYED a classic.

So I'm taking it back: http://www.wodefordhall.com/homeforchristmas.mp3

"I'll be home for Christmas," lyrics by James Gannon, music by Walter Kent, 1943 or so.

Comments

Likewise.

[sasha-khan.livejournal.com]

The whole sing-yer-way-all-the-way-'round-and-hit-every-fucking-note-but-the-right-one annoys the hell out of me.

I loke Patti LaBelle, but not this week. Caterwauling is perhaps too kind.

[mamapduck.livejournal.com]

One of the things that sets my teeth on edge is people over producing The Star Spangled Banner. FSK jacked a tune that's complex enough, thank you very much, no need for all that random wandering up and down the scales.

The local country station used to play different versions every weekday just after five. I really like Reba McIntire's because she just sings it straight in that rich alto of hers and doesn't muck about with it. Lovely.

/random rant

[gottasing.livejournal.com]

I guess when they can't hit the actual notes some people's line of defense is to just hit them all-the right ones are in there somewhere.

Sheesh.

[laurensa.livejournal.com]

don't know whether it was Mariah Carey or Whitney Houston, but I do know that the all-ornamentation-all-the-time style of vocal caterwauling definitely became popular in the 1990's

I'm glad I'm not the only who thinks of it as caterwauling. :-)

Oh, and I can't stand Celine Dion, either, though I love Jim Steinman songs when performed by someone other than Dion.
I don't need to hear your full vocal range in every syllable of every song. Please, just sing me a song.

And it's unfair of you to make me start my morning with tears. Cause your voice is so pretty.
And I WON'T be home for Christmas.