|
Title: Exceptionally good lead vocals Post by: Soulful Old Man on April 04, 2006, 10:42:38 AM Some songs have lead vocals that are not just good, but exceptionally good; the vocals lift the song to a whole new level. Just two that come to mind right now:
The Box Tops - The Letter (Alex Chilton) - Just about THE coolest lead vocal ever. The fact that Chilton was only in his teens when he sang this is just incredible. The Righteous Brothers - Unchained Melody (Bobby Hatfield) - Perfection. That high note near the end is just....wow. I don't even know how to describe it. What other songs have lead vocals THAT good? Title: Re: Exceptionally good lead vocals Post by: Mitchell on April 04, 2006, 10:46:16 AM Another Spector production: River Deep Mountain High, Tina Turner. The fact that it was tracked LIVE with the band is amazing, considering how many takes it took.
Title: Re: Exceptionally good lead vocals Post by: Soulful Old Man on April 04, 2006, 11:05:33 AM Another Spector production: River Deep Mountain High, Tina Turner. The fact that it was tracked LIVE with the band is amazing, considering how many takes it took. I'm not sure whether 'Unchained Melody' was actually produced by Spector though.....Bill Medley may have been the producer on that cut. Title: Re: Exceptionally good lead vocals Post by: Mitchell on April 04, 2006, 11:14:57 AM It's on the Back to Mono box, so I assumed it was.
Title: Re: Exceptionally good lead vocals Post by: Big Bri on April 04, 2006, 11:46:13 AM "Suite Sister Mary" - Queensryche
In fact,anything Geoff Tate sings is extrodinary! Title: Re: Exceptionally good lead vocals Post by: I. Spaceman on April 04, 2006, 12:54:02 PM Melody was produced by Spector in response to Hatfield's complaining about his minor role on Lovin' Feeling and Just Once In My Life.
I'd say just about anything by Elvis. Title: Re: Exceptionally good lead vocals Post by: 1-1-wonderful on April 04, 2006, 01:55:30 PM I always thought Lennon's vocal in "Happiness is a warm gun" ratcheted up an already amazing song.
Title: Re: Exceptionally good lead vocals Post by: b.dfzo on April 04, 2006, 04:06:09 PM "Needles And Pins" by The Ramones: http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php?topic=1316.0. Joey Ramone is the only person I've heard who has suffused the song (penned by Sonny Bono and Jack Nitzsche) with a genuine 'teenage sadness'.
Title: Re: Exceptionally good lead vocals Post by: Ron on April 04, 2006, 06:17:29 PM "Wouldn't It Be Nice" and "What I Really Want For Christmas". WIRWFC has lead vocals so nice they ring and you could probably tune a guitar to them. (sorry, I was listening to it an hour ago). "Wouldn't It be Nice" is just one of the most amazing vocals ever I think. "Maniacally Optimistic" is what I would call that style of singing.
Title: Re: Exceptionally good lead vocals Post by: Chris Brown on April 04, 2006, 06:19:45 PM Don't Worry Baby...vocal perfection.
Title: Re: Exceptionally good lead vocals Post by: Jim McShane on April 04, 2006, 07:23:36 PM "Love Affair" by The Association features Jim Yester on lead. It's just gorgeous - like almost all Jim's leads - but it just drips with emotion, especially when he sings the chorus:
"We're still kids to the world of the old And don't you know Dreams we're living they never will know..." Instant goosebumps. Listen to him on the old P.F. Sloan tune "On A Quiet Night", on "Under Branches" or on "No Fair At All". Incredible vocals on those leads as well. Title: Re: Exceptionally good lead vocals Post by: Mitchell on April 04, 2006, 07:30:39 PM Now that I think of it, Brian May singing '39 does something to me.
Title: Re: Exceptionally good lead vocals Post by: b.dfzo on April 05, 2006, 01:11:52 PM Can't Get Used To Losing You - Andy Williams.
Title: Re: Exceptionally good lead vocals Post by: Rerun on April 08, 2006, 09:56:42 AM "Bridge Over Troubled Water" would be one for me.
Title: Re: Exceptionally good lead vocals Post by: Music Machine on April 12, 2006, 11:48:52 AM "Love Reign O'er Me" by the Who always does it for me.
Title: Re: Exceptionally good lead vocals Post by: Mitchell on April 12, 2006, 11:50:27 AM Al Jardine on the Cotton Fields 45.
Title: Re: Exceptionally good lead vocals Post by: Music Machine on April 12, 2006, 11:54:52 AM Beach Boys wise I can never get enough of "Let the Wind Blow."
Title: Re: Exceptionally good lead vocals Post by: Mitchell on April 12, 2006, 01:00:04 PM Freddie Mercury - Almost everything
Title: Re: Exceptionally good lead vocals Post by: punkinhead on April 13, 2006, 07:48:09 AM try some, buy some- Ronnie Spector
Title: Re: Exceptionally good lead vocals Post by: JRauch on April 15, 2006, 04:34:44 AM Peter Gabriel on "The Battle Of Epping Forest". It´s amazing how he deliveres these lyrics. The way he pronounces the word "guru" makes me grin every single time.
Title: Re: Exceptionally good lead vocals Post by: PapaNez22 on April 15, 2006, 10:08:55 AM The Lamia by Genesis
Moribund, The Burgermeister by Peter Gabriel Intruder by Peter Gabriel The Importance of Being Idle by Oasis (sung by Noel) Title: Re: Exceptionally good lead vocals Post by: SurferGirl7 on April 17, 2006, 05:26:55 PM Brian - Thank Him
Mike - All I Wanna Do Dennis - Cuddle Up Carl - The Trader Al - Help Me Rhonda Title: Re: Exceptionally good lead vocals Post by: hapman on May 28, 2012, 12:13:34 AM Wild Man Fischer - Merry-Go-Round
Title: Re: Exceptionally good lead vocals Post by: cablegeddon on May 28, 2012, 05:57:07 AM The Importance of Being Idle by Oasis (sung by Noel) Try Whatever with Liam on vocals :P Ben E King - Stand by me Title: Re: Exceptionally good lead vocals Post by: Ron on May 28, 2012, 07:31:59 AM Some songs have lead vocals that are not just good, but exceptionally good; the vocals lift the song to a whole new level. Just two that come to mind right now: The Box Tops - The Letter (Alex Chilton) - Just about THE coolest lead vocal ever. The fact that Chilton was only in his teens when he sang this is just incredible. The Righteous Brothers - Unchained Melody (Bobby Hatfield) - Perfection. That high note near the end is just....wow. I don't even know how to describe it. What other songs have lead vocals THAT good? I honestly think it has something to do with the singer singing it in the perfect key for them. If the key is just slightly above where their head voice is comfortable, it sounds amazing. I think when we laugh, we laugh with our head voice... and if the key is right around the area we 'laugh' at, it sounds really natural and crazy good. Their vocals even sound like they've got these harmonics going on around it because they're in a sweet spot. Here's a good example for lead vocals that make the song sound better than it actually is, because it's in the right key. Grand Funk Railroad - Bad Time http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsDMxWgPQcg Title: Re: Exceptionally good lead vocals Post by: Chocolate Shake Man on May 28, 2012, 06:24:02 PM A list about great vocals has to mention Harry Nilsson.
I nominate every vocal he ever did before p*ssy Cats. Title: Re: Exceptionally good lead vocals Post by: Summertime Blooz on May 28, 2012, 09:37:03 PM I was listening to Edgar Winter sing Tobacco Road last night and was blown away by his soulful wailing. Always really liked Edgar's voice. Ironic that he doesn't sing any lead vocals on his two big hits (Free Ride & Frankenstein) because he definitely can sing. Hugely talented man, although a Scientologist flake.
Title: Re: Exceptionally good lead vocals Post by: onkster on May 28, 2012, 09:37:51 PM Lennon - I Am the Walrus (listen to it isolated, if you get the chance...wow.)
Brian - Wonderful (Smile version) kd lang - Constant Craving (or just about anything off that album, Ingenue) Trio Esperança - Toada Paul McCartney - Long Tall Sally (either the studio version or Hollywood Bowl... I bet THAT is above his 'head voice'!) Title: Re: Exceptionally good lead vocals Post by: Jay on May 28, 2012, 11:30:06 PM I'm just going to post a YouTube clip, because words don't do it justice. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgiW6o_dBkI
Title: Re: Exceptionally good lead vocals Post by: hypehat on May 29, 2012, 12:02:22 AM Smokey Robinson - Ooh Baby, Baby (which I swear I mention every couple of weeks on the board, but it's the greatest song)
Title: Re: Exceptionally good lead vocals Post by: Ron on May 29, 2012, 11:55:16 PM Ray Price's version of San Antonio Rose
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZ-TKmUKusA IT SWINGS, man! The chorus is so great, excellent 2 part harmony. Here's another one where the vocals just take it to another level. Dawn Sears, lead singer of the Time Jumpers "Sweet Memories" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ES6dOxN3mEo |