Michael Ball- Page 2

[DofB5]

Posted: 1/13/05 at 8:16pm

I greatly enjoyed his SLC concert. I would gladly go there again if and when he decides to come back.

I just wish he would record the song he opened the show up with! "I Was Born To Love You".

D

[kec]

Posted: 1/14/05 at 3:12am

D -- since he has now finally recorded This is The Moment, can I Was Born to Love YOu be far behind?

[jo]

Posted: 1/14/05 at 6:51am

D --

"I Was Born to Love You" is the first song he sings in the newly released DVD "Michael Ball - Live in London". If you have a multi-region DVD player or perhaps want to huse your computer, you can listen to it again

Jo

[Lori]

Posted: 1/14/05 at 12:53pm

Hi D -
Or you can order the VHS conversion from Discount Music (quality is not as good as the DVD though). Great concert, includes material from his "A Love Story" CD, so it's stuff you didn't see in SLC.

[chess12]

Posted: 1/14/05 at 1:09pm

I've been reading these threads for a few months now, but this is the first one to prompt me to join. I was fortunate to see Michael Ball in ASPECTS on B'way at a matinee. Concierge charged us $120.00 each for tickets and after Michael opened with "Love Changes Everything" we looked at each other and said "I just got my $120.00 worth." His recording of "Anthem" from CHESS (naturally) backed up by a men's chorus is thrilling.

[kec]

Posted: 1/14/05 at 4:59pm

Welcome Chess12!

When I first heard Michael sing Anthem, I didn't know what the song was called. All I knew was that song choked me up. It was a very beautiful song.

[sharon1]

Posted: 1/14/05 at 5:17pm

That is how I felt about Vaults of Heaven

[DofB5]

Posted: 1/14/05 at 5:54pm

The only problem with buying the DVD and using it on the computer--won't that mess the settings up? I've heard of people who did that and couldn't get their 'puter to go back to playing Region 1.

I had never heard "I Was Born to Love You" before the concert but I couldn't get it out of my head afterwards. So I know how you all feel.

D

[jo]

Posted: 1/14/05 at 6:14pm

I first saw ASPECTS OF LOVE in London. As tickets were sold out for a year, I was able to get tickets only from returns.

When the performance opened, this young man moved to the left of the stage ( if one is facing the stage) and sang LOVE CHANGES EVERYTHING ( which opens the show) directly in front of me sitting on front row -left

Re Anthem - you should hear the version he sang for his TV series in the mid-90's. You have to hear the last note to believe it!

[DofB5]

Posted: 1/14/05 at 6:28pm

I'm going to have to see if I have "Anthem" someplace. It doesn't ring any bells. I do like "Freedom" from the Rage of the Heart CD

D

[sharon1]

Posted: 1/14/05 at 7:32pm

I like "Freedom" also. I also like "Fire". Don't know why he doesn't sing these anymore. I would imagine they could be so much better now that is voice has matured

[Derech2]

Posted: 1/14/05 at 8:21pm

Out of control? Or you simply do not like it? If the former, please subsantiate. If the latter, you are entitled to your opinion -- but please state it as such :)

Have you heard Michael's Bring Him Home or My Heart Will Go? Most memorably is the very last note he strikes in My Heart Will Go On; his voice is perfectly smooth, with no vibratto -- he holds the note for a good 15 seconds in that fashion, and ends it with a few seconds of gentle vibratto. Would you be so kind as to point out what exactly is out of control about that? I don't think I really need to say anything about Bring Him Home; it left me speechless. He has one of the richest vibrattos I have ever heard, and in my opinion he puts it to use brilliantly.

One thing I have noticed is that he has a habit of continuing his vibratto after he closes his lips at the end of a words ending in a nasal. Anyone else noticed the same? For me it sounds a little strange and becomes slightly irritating hearing it repeatedly through the same song.

[sharon1]

Posted: 1/15/05 at 7:45am

I would imagine it is how he chooses to use his voice to interpret the song. But not being a technician I could only offer an opinion

[Lori]

Posted: 1/15/05 at 7:46am

D - Anthem is on "The Musicals" CD, which I saw at Borders recently, so it is available here in the States. It is absolutey breathtaking.

My favorite from "Rage of The Heart" is the duet "Now and Always". Gives me chills.

Interesting comments about his vibrato, Derech. Personally, I love it as well...but I'd never noticed the last observation you made...I'll have to pay closer attention.

[InTheMoney]

Posted: 1/15/05 at 8:17am

"Out of control" vibrato (and yes, sometimes Michael's does get too strong) is generally caused by poor technique - usually poor use of breath. Which is why is doesn't show on the long note at the end of MY HEART WILL GO ON. To hold that note Michael has to use real breath control so the vibrato only kicks in on the last couple of beats when he lets the air go. Unfortunately, not being a trained singer he doesn't apply this same control to notes which are more "natural" - ie which he finds easier or where the music takes him into them (eg the last note of LCE). To a certain extent it is good - Michael thinks more about the emotion of a song than technical perfection - but sometimes it can distract from an otherwise perfect performance & it is possible to have emotion without vibrato.

The nasal quality is due to placing. Not being a classical singer, Michael keeps his "soft palate" low (the bit at the back of the throat which raises when you yawn, creating that wide feeling. Raising it opens the throat, giving a wider sound. Keeping it low places the resonance in the top of the cheeks, creating a slightly nasal tone).

[sharon1]

Posted: 1/15/05 at 10:42am

I never knew any of that before. Thank you. I only sing in the shower and even that is awful. But Michael is taking a few lessons now, and it apparently helped him with Valjean

[kangaroo]

Posted: 1/15/05 at 1:03pm

I still love his voice, regardless of everything. And I think he'd be a great Valjean. I guess it's your own personal opinion. I love his real voice too... when he is talking.

Updated On: 1/15/05 at 01:03 PM

[Michelleruth2]

Posted: 1/15/05 at 2:11pm

If Michael comes to Broadway, I will go broke! (and I will be smiling all the way to the poorhouse!)

Love that man!!

[Lori]

Posted: 1/15/05 at 2:19pm

I think he said he took five lessons with a voice coach prior to doing JVJ at Windsor Castle. I was in Edinburgh for his Christmas concert and you did get the sense that he was holding notes longer. He was in great voice.

Kangaroo...his speaking voice IS lovely!

[sharon1]

Posted: 1/15/05 at 5:18pm

Lori
That Christmas concert in Edinburgh was absolutely the best. I wish they had filmed that one

[kangaroo]

Posted: 1/15/05 at 7:28pm

I wish I knew how to get DVD versions of his concerts. I have heard some of his CDs, and I love "Love Changes Everything" only when he sings it.

[DofB5]

Posted: 1/15/05 at 11:11pm

Kangaroo, you can get DVD's of his concerts either on E-bay or you can buy them from:

http://www.discount-music.co.uk/

As you can tell from the posts,not all of them are in the Region 1 (USA) version, if that is what you need.

As to his holding notes longer--is he still smoking? That would make a big differnce in his lung capacity.

Smoking/singing is not a good mix.

Of course, smoking/breathing is not a good mix either.

[Lori]

Posted: 1/16/05 at 8:20am

Kangaroo - none of his DVD's are available in Region 1 but if you want to invest in a multi-region player, I got a great deal on a Philips (only $79.95 plus shipping.) The most recent DVD "Live in London" is excellent.

D - unfortunately yes, he is still smoking, though he says he has cut back. He is definitely holding his notes longer though. He seems to have been lucky so far in not having the smoking affect his voice. Makes you wonder what he could do with his voice if he did quit.

Sharon - That was an fantastic concert. Emma Williams, Celia Graham and Mike McCarthy were great, and I've become a huge fan of John Owen Jones since seeing him in POTO in London in September. The ensemble performance of "One Day More" was as good as it gets!

Updated On: 1/16/05 at 08:20 AM

[sharon1]

Posted: 1/16/05 at 10:25am

Lori
He does seem to keep a lot of people employed doesn't he? I mean with those concerts, the Sunset Boulevard gigs, which I hope he does again, the recordings, and then the next concert tour in May and June. Maybe the rumors he will be doing SSB concerts with Elaine Paige are true. If he does I hope Emma Williams will be joining him. She is a great new find that most people on this side of the pond are not familiar with but she was a beautiful Betty.

[CDuffy5062]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 12:23pm

I've admired his voice tremendously since I heard him open his mouth and sing "Love Changes Everything" in Aspects of Love. Can't imagine why he hasn't been back to Broadway since. I don't know enough about technique to comment on the vibrato/breath control issue, but in my opinion, he has one of the finest musical theater voices in the industry today, and it's a pity we haven't had more of an opportunity to see him perform on Broadway.

Just my two cents.

Carol