Respected singers whose voices grate your nerves — Page 7

I love Sarah Brightman on the "Phantom" OLC, but it's her solo albums that can really get to me. I also hate how she started singing songs from "Phantom" later in life, WAY AFTER her voice was right for them.

I love Patti LuPone, but I can't say that "Sunset Blvd." impressed me. The music's great, but to me, all of the perfomances on that album are flat and lifeless (I've seen the movie countless times, so I'm probably spoiled by those amazing performances).

And, not really any respected singers (nor well-known), but any Meg in "Phantom" just grates on my ear drums with her voice. The original Meg and the movie Meg I can handle, but I can't stand any of the Meg's I've seen live. They're all too shrill.

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That was Jodi Benson in CRAZY FOR YOU with the over the top vibrato. I hated it too, both in person and on the CD.But the show was great--I saw it 4 times. Harry Groener was such a good singer and dancer.

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Updated On: 9/10/06 at 04:15 PM

A couple things.

Vibrato has one T. If you want to look like you know what you're talking about, spell it correctly please.

If you have a problem with Carolee Carmello's vibrato, then you should have a problem with Julia Murney's, as they are very similar. Personally, I think that both of these women are intensely talented and I enjoy the uniqueness of their voices.

I feel that Linda Eder's Vibrato is absolutely fine, maybe not the most even, but it certainly does not "Grate My Nerves."

Raul Esparza does have a fast vibrato, but it is only really noticeable when he is belting f5 and up. It does get to be a bit much. He also sings a little throaty sometimes, sounding a bit like Kermit the Frog. But, again, he is unique and in his lower register has a great tone.

Sarah Brightman, although quite often referenced as "legitimate" is by far the worst singer of all of these. Poor breath support, heaving jaw, improper placement and immature musicality all are signs of this for me. She is just not that great.

Merman is Merman. If she didn't do what she did, female voice in musical theater would be totally different. Was she perfect? Not even close, but I think the fact that she was the first strong, although sometimes flat, female voice in theater.

Patti Lupone has a very interesting voice. When I saw her in Sweeney, she did have some pitch issues, but I do like her tone. She also has a great color to her voice, very different now than in Evita. She, along with Merman, is a powerhouse. From belting a Gb5 with strength and placement in Evita, to commiting to her lower range in Sweeney, she is someone who knows her voice and it's growth. Her voice has matured and she knows that she shouldn't sing songs she sang in her thirties.

Jodi Benson has a pretty voice. Ask any girl (or boy) who has grown up watching "The Little Mermaid." Her vibrato was quite fast in Crazy for You, but on listening to it a few times, you can hear that she has support issues as she belts in her upper register. She just lacks control in that part of her voice. In her mix/head voice, her vibrato is quite natural and pretty, when she belts it becomes a little less comfortable.

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Be-e-e-e-e-e-tty Bu-u-u-u-uckley.

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OrangeSkittles, I know Bernadette's voice is not everyone's cup of tea and I respect your right to not like her but you are aware that she is singing Children and Art as an 98 years old dying woman?

Hmmm...

Idina Menzel drives me nuts.

As does Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford.

I had to sit through a Michael Crawford concert last year because I was ushering. It was the worst thing I have ever been to. For his encore (I hate that Dallas gave him one), he did "A Piece of Sky"...from Yentl. OH God.

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If you have a problem with Carolee Carmello's vibrato, then you should have a problem with Julia Murney's, as they are very similar. Personally, I think that both of these women are intensely talented and I enjoy the uniqueness of their voices.

I think many people do dislike both. Personally, Julia Murney is one of my favorite performers of all time, and her voice gives me the chills when I hear it, but their voices are so unique that it's kind of love them or hate them. While I completely agree with your opinion that they're both insanely talented, you don't have to defend everyone. People are allowed to have their own opinions.

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Updated On: 9/11/06 at 12:30 PM

Every time some singer wants to have a rollicking good time (in a play or some variety show on TV) they trot out some gospel choir who really sounds quite horrid, yet the audience jumps to their feet clapping their hands. And this goes on for quite some time, before the curtain falls.

Julie Murney. Oh, Lord. He DEFYING GRAVITY is the worst I have ever heard.

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Mandy Patinkin definately. I can't listen to him for long. It sounds like he is barking. Every time i hear him i think of that part in SITPWG where he is barking like a dog because he always sounds like that.

Amy Spanger is possibly the one musical theatre actress whom I just cannot stand. The accent she puts on certain syllables just drives me up the wall.

Bernadette Peters.