[SisterNightroad]

Originally Posted by soul_drifter333

http://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/musi...?event=event25

Thanks, it's truly a good article:

Popular music does not prize the older voice, at least not in this country. We are dazzled by the robust, youthful singers who part our hair on TV shows such as “American Idol” and “The Voice,” blast out of the radio, and belt from Broadway stages.

But what about artists who have been seasoned by life’s hardships and let us hear the results? Are we uncomfortable with them because they remind us that some day we, too, will be shadows of our younger selves?

I, for one, savor singers whose instruments are no longer spry and perfect, but nuanced and knowing. This year was flush with them, mature artists who released strong albums anchored by the wisdom and sophistication they bring to their singing.

Tony Bennett, Marianne Faithfull, Leonard Cohen, Lucinda Williams, Robert Plant, Stevie Nicks, Willie Nelson, Bette Midler, and Carlene Carter were all in top form in 2014, with voices that have mellowed like fine wines.
...
Stevie Nicks, who, at 66, is still twirling and singing about gypsies, recently put out a collection of previously unreleased material called “24 Karat Gold: Songs From the Vault.” Her voice was so . . . Stevie Nicks . . . that I asked the publicist for specific production details. Turns out Nicks had recorded her vocals last year.