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Post by delb0y on Feb 6, 2022 9:06:39 GMT
... another Josh Turner thread.
I've been thinking recently how vocal harmony is often the quiet secret that makes a song tug at the heart-strings, and really make one feel happy, or moved. Listening to Josh and Carson and all his friends, musically they are brilliant, and yet when those harmonies come in... It takes something great and moves it to another level (although I've also been listening to Josh's versions of Leo Kottke songs and there's not a vocal in sight, let alone a harmony, and it is still stunning stuff). Each time I think I've found the perfect video to illustrate the point the next one is even better:
I've been listening to the wonderful Larkin Poe, too, and again, when the harmonies come in, it's just another emotional level:
Obviously there's nothing new here, the history of music is all about harmony, and yet I've never really been into vocal harmony before. Somehow, with a few exceptions (e.g. New Grass Revival, The Band, The Beatles) I've always found such things a bit too nice. I'm not into choirs or musicals or barbershop quartets and though I love bluegrass guitar those high and lonesome bluegrass harmonies never did, or do, it for me (the aforementioned New Grass Revival are an obvious exception). But there seems to be this other sort of harmony that I'm just awakening to.
I wish I could hear, and sing, a harmony line but I can't even hear and sing the main line. Nevertheless, I can't help but think I need to explore this area of music a lot more. A nice harmony might be the very secret that makes people keep coming back for more.
Derek
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Post by borborygmus on Feb 6, 2022 12:35:00 GMT
Ah, I've not heard of Josh Turner before - these two videos are great, so thanks for the introduction. I too wish I could just whip out a harmony line when needed, but I have no instinct for it. I am sure it is something which is learned or learnable, though.
I can empathise completely with this. I do think it needs to combine with a great melody, however. When I think about all my favourite pieces of music, of all genres, instrumental or with vocals, classical or pop or folk, they all have a fabulous melody.
Not to take away from your discussion point about harmony, but the other thing I really enjoyed about these two Josh videos is how much fun they are having. When I see videos of young people playing music, often very talented, the one piece of advice I would give is "smile", even if it's only at the end.
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Post by martinrowe on Feb 6, 2022 12:58:32 GMT
Yes, vocal harmony's great isn't it. The theory leads back to Bach doesn't it?
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Post by ocarolan on Feb 6, 2022 13:13:39 GMT
It was vocal harmony that first attracted me to the Beatles way back with Love Me Do. Then the Watersons and The Young Tradition once I became a folkie. And although PS was a mega talent (and The PS Songbook - simple vocal guitar - remains one of my desert Island Discs) even he would have to admit that AG brought a heck of lot to the table!
And I love singing harmony - usually just instinctive as I go along if it's above the tune; below the tune I have to work out a bit more what to do.
Keith
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Post by delb0y on Feb 6, 2022 13:26:17 GMT
Not to take away from your discussion point about harmony, but the other thing I really enjoyed about these two Josh videos is how much fun they are having. When I see videos of young people playing music, often very talented, the one piece of advice I would give is "smile", even if it's only at the end. Oh yes, couldn't agree more. Josh and his friends are always having a ball and if you watch their expressions and listen to the comments here and there they really appreciate what one another are doing. It's joyful to witness.
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Post by scorpiodog on Feb 6, 2022 15:40:27 GMT
I agree with you delb0y. Harmonies can make a recording or performance. Done badly they can do some real harm, though. I can’t hear them well enough to extemporise them either, and I’m too scared to embark on it on the fly. I saw this a few weeks ago, and I thought it good:
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Post by vikingblues on Feb 6, 2022 19:53:00 GMT
Somehow, with a few exceptions (e.g. New Grass Revival, The Band, The Beatles) I've always found such things a bit too nice. I'm not into choirs or musicals or barbershop quartets and though I love bluegrass guitar those high and lonesome bluegrass harmonies never did, or do, it for me (the aforementioned New Grass Revival are an obvious exception). But there seems to be this other sort of harmony that I'm just awakening to. From a personal point of view I find a lot of harmony singing I hear is musically sound but doesn't add a lot to the song other than increasing the variations / combinations of tone - which does often improve the song I'd agree. Technique on it's own isn't really enough. Technique should be a tool to allow the singer / musician to add to the feeling / emotion of what they are performing - to take the song to a new level and to enhance the story that is being told. If the singers can also lose themselves and be the song as they sing that's some nice icing on the cake. If the melody is really good too then I'm lost in it.
Whether that happens all comes back, of course, to personal and musical taste. I have recently heard a recording of a song in a live concert where I thought the harmonies and the dynamics of the two vocalists singing gave it a much higher emotional and enhanced the song - body chills time - but someone else commented that they heard just as good in their local restaurant.
Harmony singing is not an area that I have practical experience of though - I'm doing well to get one vocal line even anywhere near in tune.
Mark
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Post by dreadnought28 on Feb 7, 2022 2:18:08 GMT
Here are the masters of harmony
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Post by doc on Feb 7, 2022 7:37:49 GMT
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Post by stringdriventhing on Feb 7, 2022 9:04:04 GMT
I like singing harmony vocals, not that I'd claim to being particularly good at it and I've got a pretty limited range. I actually prefer it to singing a lead vocal, because there's less attention on my voice. Having said all that I've barely sang a note in two years, so I'm not even sure if I could do it any more.
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Post by brianr2 on Feb 7, 2022 9:45:52 GMT
One of my desert island discs.
Brian
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Post by ocarolan on Feb 7, 2022 9:51:18 GMT
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Post by Cams on Feb 7, 2022 10:20:29 GMT
What a fantastic thread. So many new songs for me to listen through! I'll add one to the mix:
I've heard it mentioned a few times that harmonies among siblings are extra special. I guess Waterson : Carthy is another good example of that. And the Avett Brothers.
The first time I heard live bluegrass music, I sat and watched a group of musicians arranging a song to perform at an open mic that night. It was a real masterclass in how bluegrass harmony lines work. I can do it reasonably well in some instances, but like everything, it takes practice to master. Of course there is an element of intuition, but it can still be learned to a reasonable level. It's that 'extra' level that can be so moving, when you get a surprise that makes you shiver with goosebumps. Like in this one:
And the first time I heard this - maybe on The Decectorists? Chills all the way through!
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Post by brianr2 on Feb 7, 2022 10:25:38 GMT
More special siblings:
Brian
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Post by scorpiodog on Feb 7, 2022 10:45:29 GMT
And then, there's this:
IMHO, the harmonies are EVERYTHING here - that and the guitar playing, piano playing, structure, variety etc etc.
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