brady
Dances With Posts
"What about the 'Mats?"
Posts: 49
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Post by brady on Nov 25, 2006 2:31:58 GMT -5
Has this topic been discussed before?
Sadly, It seems to me that Paul's vocal skills have declined considerably in the past several years. Has he just been ill or what? Of course, PW's voice falls into that "Distinctive" category (ex. Bob Dylan). His vocal work on Stereo/Mono was very charming and fitting, but in just a few years it turned into sickly and forced on Folker and even Open Season.I imagine it can be a real stumbling block for a new (or old?) listener in enjoying his later music.
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MacGyver
Beagle Scout
We were gonna meet...
Posts: 1,641
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Post by MacGyver on Nov 25, 2006 4:41:38 GMT -5
His rougher voice of latter days sounds very forced. I do believe he can sing like before, I just think he's trying to give off a different approach. What the f*ck do I know, I'm hammered.
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Post by kgp on Nov 25, 2006 9:54:17 GMT -5
I haven't noticed that much of a difference, but it's rare these days that I go back and listen to the older albums, so I'm probably just used to it.
I'd say a lot of that has to do with the wear and tear of age. You can't really be expected to scream at 47 the way you did at 22. The smoking doesn't help much either.
One thing I did notice on Folker compared to the other--even the more recent--records is that his pitch seemed off. I wonder if he's had much hearing loss. (Being a musician who doesn't use earplugs, I would guess he has some degree of hearing loss). My grandma, who was a pretty good singer, by the way, went deaf in her left ear after a stroke, and it totally ruined her singing voice.
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nazareth
Star Scout
All men are Liars.......
Posts: 537
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Post by nazareth on Nov 25, 2006 13:23:22 GMT -5
I wouldn't say Paul's really ever had a great voice. If you listen to Tim, he quivers all over the place. That's what's charming about it. I do think Stereo/Mono had Paul's best vocal performance ever probably. Even on 14 songs and eventually, i think any shakiness was taken away by production.
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Post by timtoast on Nov 25, 2006 16:35:38 GMT -5
I've noticed that on some of the older interviews on YouTube his voice sounds less raspy and deep than current ones. I know when I talked to him after the New Orleans show last year his voice was very rough and I couldn't understand half of what he said.
Like kgp, I blame the smoking. We all know people that have smoked and ended up with voices like that, right?
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Post by A Regular on Nov 25, 2006 16:43:32 GMT -5
He's got a great rock and roll voice, as recently as Folk Star.
The ballads may not be "pretty" but I think he makes up for it with soul.
Unless you prefer Steve Perry?
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Post by FirstAveFiend on Nov 25, 2006 16:48:49 GMT -5
He's got a great rock and roll voice, as recently as Folk Star. The ballads may not be "pretty" but I think he makes up for it with soul. Unless you prefer Steve Perry? Definitely agree with AReg. I've many times posted about my love for 23 Years Ago and his voice get criticized quite a bit in that song. I think the voice fits the music and gives it that extra character. And anyone that got to see the last tour knows he can still get that scream out that I adore so much. |
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Post by ClamsCasino on Nov 25, 2006 17:31:03 GMT -5
Here's an old "Paul's Voice" thread from '04: paulwesterberg.proboards107.com/index.cgi?board=generalpw&action=display&thread=1083634887&page=1Like I said then, his voice has definitely become thin and reedy, and too often whiny, but I still think that has more to do with the way he's been performing and recording than it does with any actual physical change in his voice. Like FirstAveFiend said, having a full band behind him on the last tour proved that he can still belt it out like he used to. It's just been a while since he's done that on an album. And when he's tried (Knock it Right Out, or the screams at the end of Folk Star) he's come out sounding like a neutered version of his old self. I'm sure some of that is age, but a lot of the time it just seems like he's singing like he's trying not to wake up the kid. |
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Post by Seamus on Nov 25, 2006 18:54:29 GMT -5
Ok I agree his voice has been "rough". I actually like it. Not as bad as Wayne Coyne. He can't sing a note live. What about "Message to the Boys"? Almost PTMM quality in his voice.
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Post by justlikemartinsaid on Nov 25, 2006 20:17:13 GMT -5
It's hard for me to be objective, because I think the manner in which he sings matches perfectly the lyrics being sung, both now and way back when.
However, if on occassion I can convince anybody else to listen to a solo cd of the last few years, Stereo/Mono to present, they all seem to comment that the vocals are "whiney, nasal, irritating", etc. I personally blame this on the fact that they are musical simpletons who would never like anything unless other people liked them first, but I have seen this reaction from a number of people.
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Post by Kathy on Nov 25, 2006 20:28:21 GMT -5
Coco Chanel said that "Nature gives you the face you have at twenty. Life shapes the face you have at thirty. But at fifty you get the face you deserve." That can be applied to voice as well I think. At nearly 47, given what Paul's put his voice and body thru over the past 26 years, if he sounded like he did at 25 or 30, that would be.....well, impossible. Life takes a toll, especially when you live it hard. "Neutered" would be the last word that would come to my mind when thinking of Paul's voice.
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Post by ClamsCasino on Nov 26, 2006 12:59:38 GMT -5
"Neutered" would be the last word that would come to my mind when thinking of Paul's voice. Well, how about "nasally" or "whiny," because, like justlikemartinsaid, that's also the reaction I get when I try to turn people on to Stereo (which, btw, I love in all its whiny glory). When it comes to "neutered," I do think his classic ragged guttural scream in particular has been neutered. He had it live on the 14 Songs tour, and I haven't heard it since then. I don't expect him to sound like he did when he was 25, but it's not like that heart-wrenching pleuritic howl he had as a kid was the result of a healthy body. It's not that his voice used to be "good," because it was never technically "good." It was just f'ed up in the most glorious way. Now it's f'ed up in a completely different way. |
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Post by nowwesayitoutloud on Nov 26, 2006 14:10:47 GMT -5
... because, like justlikemartinsaid, that's also the reaction ... Technically, that should be: " ... because, like justlikemartinsaid said, that's also ..." |
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Post by timtoast on Nov 26, 2006 16:27:00 GMT -5
... because, like justlikemartinsaid, that's also the reaction ... Technically, that should be: " ... because, justlikemartinsaid said, that's also ..." Looks like someone is an English teacher from Vancouver....  |
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Smoo
Beagle Scout
Posts: 2,394
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Post by Smoo on Nov 27, 2006 0:06:14 GMT -5
If Paul is going to continue to be my personal deity, he had better bring a plague of toads or pestilence on any of of you who dare be critical of him. In the meantime, I will follow him blindly. He's still the best thing going.
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Post by Kathy on Nov 27, 2006 11:01:05 GMT -5
"Neutered" would be the last word that would come to my mind when thinking of Paul's voice. Well, how about "nasally" or "whiny," because, like justlikemartinsaid, that's also the reaction I get when I try to turn people on to Stereo (which, btw, I love in all its whiny glory). When it comes to "neutered," I do think his classic ragged guttural scream in particular has been neutered. He had it live on the 14 Songs tour, and I haven't heard it since then. I don't expect him to sound like he did when he was 25, but it's not like that heart-wrenching pleuritic howl he had as a kid was the result of a healthy body. It's not that his voice used to be "good," because it was never technically "good." It was just f'ed up in the most glorious way. Now it's f'ed up in a completely different way. I think hard living takes a toll on a body, more so as you grow older and if the question is, does Paul sound different than he did when he was 25, I would absolutely say yes. If the question is, does that affect how much I enjoy his current music, the answer for me is, not really, but I could see that it might for other people. Is Paul's whiny and nasally? Compared to some other singers, yes; compared to Bob Dylan, not so much. Maybe that's the answer for people who you're trying to turn on to Paul -- play them some really hardcore live Dylan first and then Paul will sound awesome in comparison. |
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Post by daddybrave on Nov 27, 2006 14:22:17 GMT -5
The dude still has it, will still have it, will always have it. B
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Post by scoOter on Nov 28, 2006 10:40:09 GMT -5
paul has more soul in his voice than a thousand dandies with acoustic guitars over the years.
in recent years, i think his confidence to use it has taken the hit. i think he is finding it again, though.
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Post by allshookup on Nov 28, 2006 11:31:02 GMT -5
Here's an old George Jones song that sorta mirrors PW's life:
Ragged But Right
Well I've come here to tell you folks, I'm ragged but I'm right
I'm a tramp and a gambler, I stay out late at night
But a porterhouse steak three times a day for my board
That's more than any loafer in this big town can afford
Well, I got a electric fan to keep me cool when I sleep
A little baby boy playing round at my feet
I'm a rambler and a gambler, I've led a dirty life
Well I tell you folks, I'm ragged but I'm right
Well when I got married, I knew I'd settle down
And build a little love nest right here in my hometown
Now I've got a family, one that I'm proud of
I know that we'll be happy cause they're the ones I love
I'm a rambler and a gambler, I've led a dirty life
But I tell you folks, I'm ragged but I'm right
I think PW's voice is Ragged But Right
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Post by adamapple on Nov 28, 2006 12:06:34 GMT -5
i gotta say since the release of stereo/mono i think paul has been reclaiming his wondeful rasp in all it's glory...both the mats songs, and 'wild as i wanna be', even with the throat infection just kill me...i'll say some of the folker did come off a little more raspy than usual..but it's "real", and to me, that matters more than anything else...my wood nickels worth....
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