Stevie's changing recorded vocals

petep9000 · #1 03-07-2008, 06:20 PM

I'm curious on what people's thoughts are about Stevie's recorded vocals through the years. Name some 'milestone' periods where there was a dramatic change in her vocals. I'm thinking from the BN album through Rumours her voice itself is pretty static and rather it is her singing style that evolved. I think the Tusk album was a major dramatic change in terms of I guess 'pitch' or 'timbre'. (note, I know nothing about professional voice, I'm just winging it here).

The Tusk and Belladonna vocals seem pretty consistent, but then Mirage it changes again. A bit deeper, even more vibrato, and some nasal element.
TWH is to me a continuation of the Mirage voice, which then plunged into something much more of a raspy, shuddery, throaty roar on RAL. This continued into TITN, except it almost seemed she was losing control of the wildness and was going with whatever popped out of her mouth ("Emmiline"!) and it's no secret that I'm rather fond of that.

And then what? Can we point to where 'old Stevie' became 'current Stevie'? Was it as early as 'No Questions Asked'? Earlier?? Was 'WTTR...S' an 'old Stevie' vocal or a 'new Stevie' vocal? Or, did it not emerge until TOSOTM?
Is it still morphing, or is it now static? Opinions?

blackroses · #2 03-07-2008, 07:03 PM

I pretty much agree with what you said. There was a slight change after Rumours came out (probably a result of the tour), although it was more subtle than the changes later. But I seem to recall back then that she developed nodules on her vocal cords, which was probably responsible for the change. But in the Tusk era, she still sounded like young Stevie to me. I think it was during Mirage that the change became more obvious, and she was struggling with the condition of her vocal cords a lot more, sounding hoarse at times, and her pitch was lower. She could still hit the high notes at times, but didn't do it as often.

In 1983, she began to sound monotone during some of her live performances, and was not carrying out the melody of her songs as much, seeming to sing in the same note at times, such as during the US Festival. I would say a major milestone was RAL, when she started that sort of squealing singing still (not sure how to describe it), which became even more prominent during the Red Rocks period.

From there, it seemed to be a gradual development into the voice she has now, but I think the current voice seemed to start developing around the time of TOSOTM, and was really prominent by Street Angel.

ashton · #3 03-07-2008, 07:05 PM

OK, I have been trying to figure this out for ten minutes and am still clueless. What is WTTR...S?

Livvy · #4 03-07-2008, 07:07 PM

Welcome To The Room...Sara.

nailatixela · #5 03-07-2008, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashton

OK, I have been trying to figure this out for ten minutes and am still clueless. What is WTTR...S?

Welcome to the room...Sara

Livvy beat me.

ashton · #6 03-07-2008, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Livvy

Welcome To The Room...Sara.

Yes, yes, now I understand. I am never good with the first letters of the songs. Makes me want to ask if I can buy a vowel.

blackroses · #7 03-07-2008, 07:14 PM

I've often thought that this forum needs a Sticky, with a list of the abbreviations of every song and album discussed here. I sometimes have a difficult time interpreting this too.

baboles · #8 03-07-2008, 07:17 PM

I love this topic! I totally agree with the things you said about the change from Bella Donna to Mirage through WH etc....etc...but the vocal changing makes Stevie all the more interesting. You have a different voice to listen to on each album. Sometimes I'm in the mood for rough and raw Stevie on RAL. Sometimes I'm in the mood for the velvet smooth quality of her voice on Bella Donna. And the list goes on. I like the changes.

wolfontherun · #9 03-07-2008, 08:49 PM

This is part of the reason I think alot of us are so fascinated with her voice.

I can't think of any other singer whos voice has changed so dramaticaly and so often.

I believe it reached it's low point on the TISL album. Sad to say I did not hear much inspiration in her voice and it was wayyyyyyy to monotone and deep at that point.

A friend who I played it for couldn't stand it and wondered how she has managed to have such a great career with that voice. The saving grace was her performance of Love Is.

I don't think she has any control over her voice which is why she can sound smooth as silk on say Some Become Strangers and then as raspy as sandpaper on I sing for the things.

DeeGeMe · #10 03-07-2008, 08:55 PM

I think a lot of things happened to change her voice. Simply growing older for one, but also cigarettes, coke, and oversinging--FM was a heavy touring band and her voice wasn't one meant for that kind of sustained touring. I also think under the influence of uhm, certain substances, she might also have done some vocalizing that wasn't that great for her voice. I've heard some whacked out vocals on live cuts. I loved early to mid Stevie's voice and it always makes me a bit sad to hear one of her earlier vocals to one that's more recent. Still love her though.

AliceLover · #11 03-07-2008, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Livvy

Welcome To The Room...Sara.

I just heard this song for the first time the other day and I absolutely love it!

baboles · #12 03-07-2008, 09:17 PM

I love her voice on TISL! I love all of Stevie's voices! lol. But even though it has went through many changes over the years you can still recognize that it's Stevie. Even if you were only a casual fan then you would still be able to recognize her voice on the radio if they played something from TISL.

petep9000 · #13 03-07-2008, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfontherun

This is part of the reason I think alot of us are so fascinated with her voice.

I can't think of any other singer whos voice has changed so dramaticaly and so often.

Ah, here's one: Marianne Faithfull. I had heard her version of 'As Tears Go By' a few times when I was younger, but I had never heard her current voice until very recently. She's lived a hard, hard life and every bit of it shows on her voice. Compared to her, Stevie is a nightingale!

Remy · #14 03-08-2008, 03:24 AM

i'd say it's a MIRACLE she kept her voice through all that drug period, plus the hectic tour- not many vocalists would. her voice was the best, imo, until about '77 -'78. all the top notes in rhiannon during that time prove that. after Tusk, did she ever sing 'once in a MILLION (high note here) years, a lady like her..." that way? or was it always sung like on the dance, later on?

petep9000 · #15 03-08-2008, 10:10 AM

I think it was always "Once in a mill-yun years" with the downward emphasis on the "yun". I don't think "MILL-yun" or even "All your LIFE you've never see.." was heard after the Rumours tour.
David would know for certain, I'm sure.

I just thought of a few recorded songs where her deeper croak sort of works. How about TSTL from the BTM album? Christine's verse "Can you give me one reason why..." finishes with Stevie on background "I won't believe it baby, but I'll try". Stevie there sounds mysterious and ghostly. Also, on WTWCT from SYW. Same thing, Stevie is lurking in the background and is particular noticeable after the "...reservation, you just bring me down, turn me inside out.."