Have Bruces vocals stood the test of time better than the others?

[sheknowsmetoowell]

Opinions?

Example: from a 2011 show, Bruce sings God Only Knows at about 7:20 into the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Z2eBC-3ctk

[Craig Boyd]

You can make an argument for it. Although his voice is considerably weaker than it once was he can still hit some pretty high notes (listen to the bridge in GOK) and he sounds ridiculously young (even when he speaks) for a man on the cusp of 70.

I've posted this before but have a listen to how youthful he sounds here, he really could be an asset on this album. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Te8ju6dZako

[Runaways]

All you have to do is listen to the new single. Though al sounds great too

[phirnis]

Good vocals in the GOK video but that baseball cap makes him look older than he actually is.

[Runaways]

Man that Massachusetts venue has a lot of open seats.  I feel like beach boy shows and brian shows attract two different crowds, hopefully they'll combine well on this tour

[Craig Boyd]

Good vocals in the GOK video but that baseball cap makes him look older than he actually is.

There is absolutely no need for it! They all look perfectly fine without those caps although Mike should always have some form of headgear for reasons of tradition. I prefer when Mike wears the flat cap like he did on the Pet Sounds cover though.

[cablegeddon]

Opinions?

Example: from a 2011 show, Bruce sings God Only Knows at about 7:20 into the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Z2eBC-3ctk

Sorry I got distracted. All I could think is that I get around would would've been better with Jeff Foskett.

Yea Bruce is great on GOK there.....

[Wirestone]

Bruce is probably the most trained musician of the guys (maybe David Marks excepted) ... I bet he has taken really good care of his voice. Neither Mike or Brian treated theirs with much attention (BW has worked on it over the last 15 years or so, but it's harder to regain than preserve).

[Amy B.]

In some ways, I think Bruce had less of a voice to lose than some of the others. His voice has always been very reedy and somewhat thin. However, his range is intact, and that's pretty remarkable.

Did Bruce ever smoke? Obviously the "clean living" guys in the band were more likely to maintain their voices for longer. Al's voice is still pretty good too, isn't it? Brian's voice isn't what it once was, but I think it has made a remarkable recovery back to a respectable level for a 69-year-old, considering what he put it through.

[Autotune]

In some ways, I think Bruce had less of a voice to lose than some of the others. His voice has always been very reedy and somewhat thin. However, his range is intact, and that's pretty remarkable.

Did Bruce ever smoke? Obviously the "clean living" guys in the band were more likely to maintain their voices for longer. Al's voice is still pretty good too, isn't it? Brian's voice isn't what it once was, but I think it has made a remarkable recovery back to a respectable level for a 69-year-old, considering what he put it through.

Brian delivered an unexpected beautiful singing voice and style in the studio in the last 4-5 years. But even when his voice was unhealthy, he remained a top studio singer, in my book. His on-stage vocal shortcomings have nothing to do with vocal limitations per se, IMO.

[metal flake paint]

In some ways, I think Bruce had less of a voice to lose than some of the others. His voice has always been very reedy and somewhat thin. However, his range is intact, and that's pretty remarkable.

Did Bruce ever smoke? Obviously the "clean living" guys in the band were more likely to maintain their voices for longer. Al's voice is still pretty good too, isn't it? Brian's voice isn't what it once was, but I think it has made a remarkable recovery back to a respectable level for a 69-year-old, considering what he put it through.

To quote Bruce from a 1990 interview, "I never even smoked cigarettes! I can't inhale...Uh, I certainly had Chateau Lafite '59."

[Andrew G. Doe]

Good vocals in the GOK video but that baseball cap makes him look older than he actually is.

True - he's actually 37 this year.

[hypehat]

One of these days, someone will believe you when you say things like that, Andrew 

[SMiLE Brian]

One of these days, someone will believe you when you say things like that, Andrew 

AGD is the king of awesome dry humor.

[JanBerryFarm]

Of the remaining real Beach Boys, Al Jardine is the only one who retains his original voice.

They all have their moments, but Al sings well consistantly.

Brian barely reaches the notes and has no power left. All those years trying to sound like Randy Newman ruined him.

Mike stuggles to reach the notes, but has more power than poor Brian.

David Marks doesn't have a well established vocal signature, but he sings on key when he does sing.

Bruce can't hit high notes well any more either, but he's clever and makes sure he's always within his limits.

 ---------Darian sounds more like Carl or 60's Brian than any of them, when he wants to.

[Autotune]

I think, overall, most fans bave been surprised by how well the guys sound. Expectations were low for many people, mostly people who had not seen Mike's live act. Or Al's. Considering their age, their hard-working schedule and their long live-singing career, it's pretty amazing that -being a vocal group- they still can sound like they do! I can think of no vocal group of people their age that keep in such great shape.

Mike's case, in particular, is remarkable. He seems rejuvenated, sounds great and is nearly flawless ("never a bad show", as the purported Steve Love posts elsewhere). And the fact that he can perform a stunt like he did on Australian TV (there's a thread on that recent interview), shows that he's pretty fit physically too.

[Banana]

IMO...Al sounds the best...but then again...I've always felt he was the best natural singer in the original group.  He's always had a strong, versatile voice and when you consider that he was one of the "clean living" members it makes sense that he'd retain much of his vocal power.  To hear him live in 2012...you could almost close your eyes and it could be 1965 again!

[oldsurferdude]

IMO...Al sounds the best...but then again...I've always felt he was the best natural singer in the original group.  He's always had a strong, versatile voice and when you consider that he was one of the "clean living" members it makes sense that he'd retain much of his vocal power.  To hear him live in 2012...you could almost close your eyes and it could be 1965 again!

Correct-and which faction retains him will have a distinct advantage vocally unless he goes  solo. I'm hoping if asked, he'll join BW.

[Banana]

Interesting point.  Al really is the "wild card" in the equation.  It's also interesting to consider what happens next.  What does happen after the reunion tour ends?  Does everyone split back up?  Do they try and build on the momentum...maybe one more LP?  It's hard to say...though Mike and Bruce scheduling shows with their current backing band (and without Brian, Al & Dave) says a lot. 

[SIP.FLAC]

He was fantastic when I saw him last week. Absolutely awful the time before. I think Al has actually gotten better with time. Mike is still pitchy but better than 80's and 90's.

[donald]

Al remains the one with the voice that has stood the test of time.    But, could it be, that he has used his voice less often than the others over the past 15 years?

Brian sounds as good now as he has in many years.  Bruce and Mike have been very busy for decades and it shows in their voices.

[Banana]

Possibly...but Al did pick up his fair share of vocal duties (at least on stage) once Brian shifted away from work.  I think it's just a combination of taking care of himself and some good genetics!  I find that Brian seems to be singing with more confidence...and I think that has made a difference over the last couple of years.  His voice is not what it once was...he's 70-years-old, he didn't take care of it...but he still has a nice voice. 

[hypehat]

Brian's been getting singing lessons since around the Gershwin project (I don't know about before), so that of course would help.

[Banana]

I think before that...though you could really hear an improvement on the Gershwin project.

[Autotune]

Brian is still a top-notch studio singer. And his live vocals are compelling even in their imperfection.

Al's voice is well-resonated, very natural and efortless. He's the one with the healthiest way of singin. Followed by Carl, when he started to take voice lessons and taking care of his voice. The others are more idiosincratic, and thus have worn more.