Kansas, Sprint Center March 28, 2015

[aleuzzi]

Originally Posted by Montclare

I think it's a toss up between Lindsey and Stevie whose voice has deteriorated the most over the years. Christine sounds practically the same...

Yes, I wholeheartedly agree. And yet, a few recent reviews keep saying it's Chrstine's voice that has deteriorated and that Stevie sounds better than ever, which is just plain horse manure. She sounds okay, but her voice is pretty much stripped of its former glory. And, again, Lindsey's voice is never even considered.

I have a few ideas on why some critics are going in this direction:

1. Many of these concert reviews are being written by people who came to the band no earlier than The Dance and probably continued to follow Mac as "Stevie's band" throughout the 2000s.

2. Given Christine's long absence, people tend to forget that she was NEVER a center-stage persona and was always a laid-back, earthy performer whose moments of calm were contrasted with the moments of higher drama. Ironically, I think she is exhibiting a lot more personality this tour (not including her lack of actual piano playing) than she did on The Dance.

3. Sexism--the girls' voices are a central issue whereas the boy is heralded as a genius guitar player and musical architect.

4. People expect more vocally from Stevie and Christine because their voices are more distinctive on the original albums.

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by aleuzzi

2. Given Christine's long absence, people tend to forget that she was NEVER a center-stage persona and was always a laid-back, earthy performer whose moments of calm were contrasted with the moments of higher drama. Ironically, I think she is exhibiting a lot more personality this tour (not including her lack of actual piano playing) than she did on The Dance.

3. Sexism--the girls' voices are a central issue whereas the boy is heralded as a genius guitar player and musical architect.

4. People expect more vocally from Stevie and Christine because their voices are more distinctive on the original albums.

2. I think Christine was more a director on The Dance tour and in past tours than she is this time. She may be exhibiting more personality in her song intro, but in the past, in between songs if there had to be comments made to the crowd or to another band member, she did that a lot more often in past tours than she does this tour.

3. I don't think it's sexism.

4. Agreed. Lindsey has never been known for having a distinctive voice, anyway. People probably don't remember what he sounded like before enough to care about what he sounds like now in contrast. Even I will listen to a song like Magnet and Steel and not notice Lindsey on that. Certainly, I hear Stevie, her background vocals make the song. But Lindsey ... You can know GYOW back and forth, but still not pick up Lindsey's voice in a crowd.

Whereas, many times I can hear Stevie or Christine's voice on a loud speaker when there's noise in the room and I will know it's them BEFORE I can make out what song they are singing. With Lindsey, I recognize the song first and then him -- which is not to say he didn't have a beautiful voice. He did and he still does sometimes. But it is not necessarily unique.

Michele

[aleuzzi]

Originally Posted by michelej1

2. I think Christine was more a director on The Dance tour and in past tours than she is this time. She may be exhibiting more personality in her song intro, but in the past, in between songs if there had to be comments made to the crowd or to another band member, she did that a lot more often in past tours than she does this tour.

3. I don't think it's sexism.

4. Agreed. Lindsey has never been known for having a distinctive voice, anyway. People probably don't remember what he sounded like before enough to care about what he sounds like now in contrast. Even I will listen to a song like Magnet and Steel and not notice Lindsey on that. Certainly, I hear Stevie, her background vocals make the song. But Lindsey ... You can know GYOW back and forth, but still not pick up Lindsey's voice in a crowd.

Whereas, many times I can hear Stevie or Christine's voice on a loud speaker when there's noise in the room and I will know it's them BEFORE I can make out what song they are singing. With Lindsey, I recognize the song first and then him -- which is not to say he didn't have a beautiful voice. He did and he still does sometimes. But it is not necessarily unique.

Michele

Good point about the switching of Christine's role on this tour. I imagine she's being tentative about directing anything on this first tour back with them. Or maybe it's age. Or both.

I entirely agree about Lindsey's voice.