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Author Topic: Voices as instruments, instruments as voices  (Read 1225 times)
Misterlou
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« on: June 01, 2014, 08:55:39 PM »

I remember reading one author's perspective (can't recall who) that the Beach Boys voices were like instruments, or often utilized as instruments, and can't disagree with that sentiment. What about the opposite, the use of instruments made to sound like voices, or in place of voices (Good Vibrations comes to mind). In Cabinessence, listening without headphones, it sounds like the word horse is dropped off the end of "Who ran the iron..." at the end of each chorus, as if the instruments are singing the word horse. With headphones, I think I can hear the beginning and end of horse but not the middle, which may be due to a muddy mix at that point, i.e., that may not have been Brian's intent at all in that song, to have the instruments sing. Interested in your thoughts on this specifically as well as other possible examples of "singing" instruments in their songs.
« Last Edit: June 01, 2014, 10:48:43 PM by Misterlou » Logged
guitarfool2002
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« Reply #1 on: June 01, 2014, 09:11:45 PM »

First impression: Brian was and is a genius arranger with a very unique, specific, and identifiable sound to his work. When he had the Beach Boys vocals as his instruments, I believe he realized he had one of the most unique vocal blends of the time, specifically up to 1967. That vocal sound was his and the band's trademark, his "fastball" pitch that no one else had.

With that in mind, as he worked up instrumental tracks in his mind and in the studio, I believe he either consciously or subconsciously left enough musical and sonic room/space in his arrangements where he could sit the vocal blend on top as the featured instrument and texture of his productions with the BB's. As inventive and creative as his instrumental charts were, he had to be thinking of that sonic trademark coming most prominent in the vocals, again those vocals were the fastball pitch that no one else's records had.

In that way I think the concept of using instruments as vocals would defeat the whole purpose of his records, which again was to deliver the vocal blend listeners liked and expected. So perhaps a few instances where the lines were crossed may have been deliberate, but overall if it did happen it may have been more coincidental than deliberate, where maybe an instrument's line or pitch blended in with a vocal line.

But if your main selling point is a vocal blend, as a producer and arranger you wouldn't purposely detract from that by having instruments replace or act as vocals.

Just my 2 cents.  Smiley
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"All of us have the privilege of making music that helps and heals - to make music that makes people happier, stronger, and kinder. Don't forget: Music is God's voice." - Brian Wilson
Misterlou
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« Reply #2 on: June 01, 2014, 11:05:07 PM »

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In that way I think the concept of using instruments as vocals would defeat the whole purpose of his records, which again was to deliver the vocal blend listeners liked and expected. So perhaps a few instances where the lines were crossed may have been deliberate, but overall if it did happen it may have been more coincidental than deliberate, where maybe an instrument's line or pitch blended in with a vocal line.

I guess I was thinking of it in terms of adding to the uniqueness of the production, rather than diminishing their incredible vocal blend or defeating the purpose of his records, but I see your point and appreciate it. He was always pushing the limits of production and I was just wondering if this was another way to do that.
« Last Edit: June 01, 2014, 11:06:44 PM by Misterlou » Logged
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