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Post by Simba on Sept 8, 2013 17:14:18 GMT
Now you can very well post it here  |
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Post by Libby on Sept 9, 2013 3:06:11 GMT
I'm glad you've decided to order the album, John, and I hope you do like it. You are very easily persuaded, now, aren't you? LOL
Dave, I already created a Brandi thread, probably at least 3 years ago, maybe 4, and I really wish most of these existing posts could be deleted, at least the most argumentative ones. I apologize for all the negativity, but if someone is going to say such inaccurate, not nice things about a perfectly good artist, I'm going to take offense about it. I understand Martin has an opinion, but he doesn't write it as if it's his opinion, he makes it sound like if he doesn't like something, it's no good at all.
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Joe
Administrator
Supporting Hayley since 2003!
Posts: 6,715 
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Post by Joe on Sept 9, 2013 3:15:55 GMT
Dave, I already created a Brandi thread, probably at least 3 years ago, maybe 4... Hi Libby, Five years ago, actually  I've taken the liberty and moved the two posts from your original Brandi Carlile thread from 2008 and moved them here.  |
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Post by martindn on Sept 9, 2013 17:59:07 GMT
I apologize for all the negativity, but if someone is going to say such inaccurate, not nice things about a perfectly good artist, I'm going to take offense about it. I understand Martin has an opinion, but he doesn't write it as if it's his opinion, he makes it sound like if he doesn't like something, it's no good at all. Not what I have been saying at all Libby. I said that the little I have heard of her so far is not to my taste, and I explained why. It doesn't mean anything about anyone but me. There are sveral very famous, perhaps even legendary artists that I'm not keen on. I'm sure there are some very successful ones you don't like either Libby. Martin D |
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Post by Juliette on Sept 9, 2013 21:11:09 GMT
Hi Libby and all I discovered Brandi Carlile's music in New Zealand thanks to a friend, and, because you had mentionned her on the forum before, her name sounded familiar. I really like 'The Story', but if I had to pick two favourites, that would be 'A Promise To Keep' (you might like that one better, Martin ) and 'Keep Your Heart Young'. That last one especially, I hold it close to my heart because we listened to it a lot while we were on a weekend trip in Northland, and every time I listen to it, it reminds me of that trip, one of the best and happiest times of my life. Juliette |
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Post by Libby on Sept 10, 2013 5:40:26 GMT
Thanks, Joe. I couldn't remember if I created the thread when I first discovered Brandi, or when I really got into her music for good. Hi Libby and all I discovered Brandi Carlile's music in New Zealand thanks to a friend, and, because you had mentionned her on the forum before, her name sounded familiar. I really like 'The Story', but if I had to pick two favourites, that would be 'A Promise To Keep' (you might like that one better, Martin ) and 'Keep Your Heart Young'. That last one especially, I hold it close to my heart because we listened to it a lot while we were on a weekend trip in Northland, and every time I listen to it, it reminds me of that trip, one of the best and happiest times of my life. Juliette Ah, at last I discover someone who "gets" her music! Yes, The Story is by far her best song (the song she's most famous for, anyway). Since the style is sort of rock, there are definitely parts Martin wouldn't like, especially the bigger note towards the end. Brandi said that she got so caught up in the song that her voice caught, so it sounded a little rougher and scratchier than intended, but to me, that just adds to the emotion of the song. And that's exactly why they left the recording the way it was. See, that's the point, singers who sing in this style are known for getting raspy or rough, so it's not a singing flaw. It's called artistry and emotion. If Melissa Etheridge and Janis Joplin could get away with it, and far more than what Brandi does, then obviously this is an accepted way of singing, in that style. In fact, hasn't somebody here actually suggested that Hayley should try to add an edge to her voice? That would destroy Hayley's voice, and wouldn't suit her at all, but some artists shine with that kind of thing. Technical perfection is not required in music at all times, so a little slip due to emotion is not necessarily evidence of bad singing. Brandi's emotional interpretation is one of the reasons I'm so captivated by her songs, and the reason I say I enjoy all of her songs. Actually, Juliette, that last song you mention isn't my most favorite, but that doesn't mean I don't like it. At this point, I don't think Martin is keen on anything by Brandi, anyway. LOL How many albums do you have, Juliette? I recommend all of them, but Give up the Ghost is my favorite. It includes some of her softer emotional songs. But I can't deny that I love the song Raise Hell. Martin would absolutely hate that one! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif That's where Brandi has actually been compared to Melissa Etheridge by the media, not just me. Actually the tune almost reminds me of a KT Tunstall song, but it's a little more "hard core" than that. LOL And actually, the level of roughness in Brandi's voice could probably be better compared to KT than ME, and especially not JJ!  |
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Post by John H on Aug 21, 2016 11:45:45 GMT
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Post by Libby on Aug 22, 2016 4:28:37 GMT
Oh, are you going, John? I remember you said you bought one of her albums, but I haven't heard the verdict on whether you liked it or not. She comes to the Seattle area every year, since she's a local here, but I have yet to go. For one thing, this year, her 2 concerts are the same day and the day after my upcoming Josh Groban concert. And for another, I don't have anyone to go with who really wants to see her. My sister has hinted that she might be willing to go with me sometime, but this year is definitely not going to work. |
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Post by John H on Aug 22, 2016 6:44:50 GMT
Yes, I like it, but not enough to make me rush to buy more of her albums - yet However, I tend to get more enthusiastic about an artist when I have the chance to see them in a live show  And as you noted, I am quite easily persuaded (about some things  ) |
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Post by John H on Nov 2, 2016 19:50:25 GMT
So Brandi's show in London was last night, and to be honest I have to say my reaction was... mixed.
Most of her songs were quite enjoyable, a couple were just loud noise to my ears, and there were a few lovely moments (generally the slower quieter songs, and when she and her group sang in harmony).
Brandi comes across as a very likable lady and has a great rapport with her audience. Her performance is full of energy and passion, and she clearly enjoys her music.
I have been looking back through this thread at discussions about Brandi's voice. From what I experienced last night, I would say that her appeal does not lie in the quality of her voice, but in the way she uses it to express the emotion of her songs. I guess that just listening to her recordings might bring out a different emphasis.
Apparently Brandi is now living in London. Perhaps that will lead to more concerts in the UK, but I don't think I would count myself amongst her avid followers.
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Post by John H on Nov 2, 2016 21:29:43 GMT
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Post by Libby on Nov 3, 2016 2:17:27 GMT
Thanks for sharing your experience, and your great pictures, John.
I am not surprised by your assessment of her performance, because after hearing some live videos from her, I realize she may not always sound as good live as she does on the albums. I think a lot of singers like her with somewhat rough voices and ones who are not formally trained (Brandi taught herself to sing, so I'd say she did pretty well, considering) have this problem. This is another reason why I'm not sure about going to one of her concerts. I'd like to experience it for myself, but I just don't know anyone else who would enjoy it very much. And you're right, her strongest point is her emotional interpretation. While her singing might not be polished and pure, she does have a very unique sound. The first song I heard was The Story, and that was a mixture of softer singing and powerful emotion (with roughness in her voice), and it just sounded so different that it really appealed to me. And that was just from a short commercial! I'm also not surprised if you don't feel as interested in her as other singers. I was honestly surprised you could be so easily persuaded into buying an album. LOL
Going by all my other favorite singers, mainly ones with extraordinary, perfected classical-type voices, one would be surprised that I like a voice like Brandi's, too. For a long time, I didn't listen to any "noisy", unrefined singing. And, at first, I didn't buy any of her albums, either. It wasn't until the album you have that I became a fan... I tend to be a second album fan. I become a fan after their 2nd album... Wait, actually that was Brandi's 3rd, but I don't have that one (don't really want it either). I've always liked female singers with soprano voices, but girls who even sing a little bit high anywhere in there singing can appeal to me, too, and Brandi's "falsetto" notes are actually quite lovely, and so if it were not for that, I may have been less likely to look into her music. However, I'm all about her lower, vibrato notes, too. Don't ask me why, but there are a few moments in her songs where I think of Johnny Cash, probably because of the style, not the exact sound. I had never gone for this style before, but ever since discovering her, singers like that are far more likely to appeal to me now. She's still the only singer outside of crossover that I really like, the only one whose [nearly] every song I enjoy. One of the "noisy" songs you mention was probably Raise Hell, and I LOVE that song, though I understand some people would hate it. She kind of sounds like a mix of KT Tunstall and Melissa Etheridge there.
Another example of singers with rough voices not singing well live; I really love the version of Sound of Silence by the group Disturbed. It turns an already great song into an incredibly powerful song, making the message hit home even harder than S & G's lovely version. I actually never even knew all the words to the song, or even what it was about before, because I never was interested enough to know (though I did find it enjoyable, and before anyone else says anything, YES I DID ALREADY KNOW WHO Simon & Garfunkel were, and have known for years!!). But this version had me obsessed with the song, and then a skating performance came about, and it was outstanding! Anyway, back to what I was getting at. The singer performs it very well vocally in the recording. However, the live versions I listened to were dreadful! The tune was all over the place, and not performed with as much feeling. Also, I would not listen to anything else by this group, because it's noisy and growly. Despite this, though, I still admire the singer tremendously for being able to create such an incredible interpretation of the song, even if it was only once. LOL
Even Josh Groban used to be a rather weak live performer. At least the 2nd concert I went to his live singing was not up to par (for him), and quite a few televised performances were a little off. His Live DVD was also not so good, so I only watched that once. However, his last 3 tours had him singing almost as perfectly as he does on his albums. I believe the reason is that he now has a vocal coach that he works with on tour, and possibly he takes better care of his voice/health nowadays too. I think in the past, he was just really tired on tour and was just too exhausted to perform his best.
Somewhat unrefined singers like Brandi are less likely to utilize such things. Rock singers are more lazy and just like to hit the road and perform. As for living in London, I didn't know that, but given her spouse is from England, makes sense. Though I would guess it's more of a matter of having a home there as well as back here in Washington. I'm sure she still owns her home in (I think) Maple Valley, WA (which is very, very close to me). She records in Woodinville, WA.
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Post by John H on Nov 3, 2016 9:26:41 GMT
No, I wouldn't describe Brandi's vocal performance as weak in any way. It's just that some of her music doesn't appeal to me. She actually sang two songs completely acoustically with no microphone or amplification for the instruments, and her voice still filled the theatre. One of those was from the stage, and the second was her first encore from the balcony. Those were two of the highlights of the show for me. And I totally understand the Johnny Cash thing. There is a hint of gravel in her voice at times, which made me think of him too. But references to KT Tunstall and Melissa Etheridge are completely over my head - I don't know a thing about either of them. (Your turn to be shocked now  ) Brandi said she had only been living in London for a few weeks, since her recent marriage. |
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Post by Libby on Nov 4, 2016 2:12:33 GMT
Uh, I think her marriage was a couple of years ago now, unless she divorced and remarried already... but unfortunately things similar to that have been known to happen...  I'm not really shocked you don't know who those singers I mentioned are. KT Tunstall especially. Melissa Etheridge is a gentler version of Janis Joplin, as far as voice. But still not what you'd call a gentle voice. I actually know very few of her songs myself, but enough to know what her voice sounds like. As for KT, I'm thinking more of the tune of that song is similar to one of KT's. I'm going to guess one of the songs you mention was Oh Dear, which she's done live before, and there she sings very well. But I've heard live versions of The Story, and it's definitely not as good as on the album. |
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Post by martindn on Nov 4, 2016 11:18:50 GMT
Ah yes, I remebmer KT Tunstall, who I think is Scottish, not from the Potteries as you might think. Not an Essex Girl either, depite "Oh Leigh-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea That is where I wanna be". Martin |
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I've taken the liberty and moved the two posts from your original Brandi Carlile thread from 2008 and moved them here. 
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