What's wrong with Michael Ball's vibrato?

[Seany]

Posted: 10/21/03 at 1:34am

Why do people always complain about Michael Ball's vibrato? What's wrong with it?

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 10/21/03 at 1:36am

becasue it is Micheal Ball singing.....

[kec]

Posted: 10/21/03 at 1:59am

Nothing. His vibrato isn't as bad as some people seem to think it is. While I will say I have heard it a bit wide on one song on a recent cd, for the most part it is controlled.



Updated On: 10/21/03 at 01:59 AM

[jo]

Posted: 10/21/03 at 2:06am

It's a matter of preference.

But he does have a great voice - comparable to any you can find in musical theatre!

Jo

[sharon1]

Posted: 10/21/03 at 4:06am

Nothing.

Posted: 10/21/03 at 4:28am

Michael does sometimes get carried away and over do the vibrato and he doesn't need to.I was really happy to hear he's kept it under control on the new Cd.

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 10/21/03 at 8:04am

At first I read the title of this thread wrong and thought it was TOTALLY off topic.

I think the only probelm with his vibrato is that he uses it too much.

Posted: 10/21/03 at 9:10am

I personally enjoy him and his voice. I know that many people here do not know what to think of him. Pop Star? Theater Star? Easy Listening?

But he is hugely popular in England and they seem to like him.

[TheBalladeer]

Posted: 10/21/03 at 9:56am

There is nothing wrong with Michael Ball's vibratto. Whether a person enjoys it or not has nothing to do with his technique. He does have control of his vibratto, and it does not sound forced or overproduced.

[MabesNY]

Posted: 10/21/03 at 10:28am

I also don't think there's anything wrong with Michael Ball's vibrato! His latest CD was just released in the UK yesterday so I ordered it from Discount Music Connection in the UK 'cause I can't wait to get it!

[robbiej]

Posted: 10/21/03 at 10:33am

I think his tone and placement are great.

I think, at times, you can drive a truck through his vibrato.

It wasn't always this way. It seems to me that his voice has become more mannered the older (and more well-known) he's gotten.

Just my opinion.

Posted: 10/21/03 at 10:40am

see and on some it sounds great and on some it sounds horrid...
And I know I am going to get flack for this but I loved Christine Andreas in Scralet Pimpernel (when she sand Only Love)

[sharon1]

Posted: 10/21/03 at 10:47am

Vibrato aside, I prefer his voice now to when he did Les Miz. I mean it was great then but I like the maturity now. I also prefer his delivery. LCE is much better now. I feel the lyrics and his voice are more compatible.

[kec]

Posted: 10/21/03 at 10:57am

I only discovered Michael in the last year, but have gotten several of his early cds, and have heard many different variations of him singing Love Changes Everythng, including the Aspects of Love recording. His voice has really gotten stronger and more mature over the years between Aspects and now, and it's very evident if you compare the 1989 version of LCE with any version done in the last couple of years.

Posted: 10/21/03 at 11:00am

He sings a bloody brilliant Christmas Album too.

(sorry working with the irish and the british all day I tend to get to say smashing words like .... ta! and brilliant!)

[TheBalladeer]

Posted: 10/21/03 at 11:04am

I first became acquaited with his voice when I heard his rendition of "Gethsemane" which totally floored me! And then I heard his rendition of "Losing My Mind". His singing that inspired me to use that as an audition song, and it has become one of my favorite, and most effective ones too. So, I really don't care what anyone says about his vibrato, I think he is an excellent singer who can act and interpret the hell out of a song.

Cheers,
The Balladeer

[jo]

Posted: 10/21/03 at 11:28am

His Christmas album is one of the best holiday CDs around.

Ave Maria, O Holy Night and When A Child is Born are stunners, and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas and the duet Silent Night are beautifully rendered. Unlikely choices but they fit in well are Joni Mitchell's River and From A Distance.

Jo

[sharon1]

Posted: 10/21/03 at 11:43am

Amazing Grace is one of my all time favorite pieces. I love his version particulary. The passion is unbelievable. The Christmas cd is very good. Isn't he a regular at some kind of London Christmas Carol thing they do every year over there.

[Lori]

Posted: 10/21/03 at 2:24pm

The Christmas CD is fantastic, and "River", though an unlikely addition is gorgeous. I understand it was done in one take.

BTW, the new CD is definitely worth listening to. I agree with everyone who has said that Michael's voice is better as it has matured. The new CD really proves that out.

[Seany]

Posted: 10/21/03 at 2:30pm

I just don't see how people complain about Michael Ball's vibrato but don't say a word about Raul Esparza's. But then again, Raul pretty much kicks Michael Ball's ass.

[DofB5]

Posted: 10/21/03 at 6:22pm

Well, you knew I'd chime in as soon as I saw this thread! *chuckle* I agree 100% that there is NOTHING wrong with his voice. I also have the Christmas CD and love that as well.

I "River" and "Ave Maria" are my favorites. I had never heard "River" before. It is a different kind of Christmas song but it does work

D

[sharon1]

Posted: 10/21/03 at 8:33pm

River is a Joni Mitchell song, I believe. It has a "true" meaning for me. If you get my drift, D.

[kec]

Posted: 10/22/03 at 12:10am

"He sings a bloody brilliant Christmas Album too."

I agree with you Jon. I very much enjoy his renditions of the Christmas classics such as O Holy Night and Silent Night, and I like Light a Candle, which he wrote. I had the privilege of hearing Michael sing Amazing Grace in person, and I was moved, literally to tears. As Balladeer says, his Gethsemane is amazing, especially if you look at his performance of this song on the Royal Albert Hall concert cd. He does act a song out very well -- if anyone can get a copy of his Musicals and More dvd, just watch his performance of Sunset Boulevard... Brilliant!

Posted: 10/22/03 at 12:36am

I also love his versions of
Something in Side So Strong
and
Let the River Run

I could see Clay Aiken as a American Michael Ball if he plays his cards right.

[sharon1]

Posted: 10/22/03 at 4:09am

Apparently after listening to the new CA cd there are some people who agree with you. While not mentioning MB in their critiques it is thought that musical theatre songs would be a good direction for CA to follow. I happen to agree with you and them. It would showcase his voice. Can't tell yet if he has the range of Michael Ball but it would be fun to see how his voice develops.