Wicked on the brain
Aug. 5th, 2005 01:30 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
quesarahThe last week, I've been listening incessantly to the Wicked soundtrack. It may not be the best musical ever written but it's catchy as hell. How I do enjoy clever rhyming and wordplay in song lyrics.
However, I'm going to be a music snob. I know Idina Menzel worked her butt off, I know she won the Tony, I know that she's the professional singer and not I. But I don't like her technique.
I told you I was a snob.
I don't like the way she spreads her tone; you can sing with a forward tone, enunciate and project to the rafters without spreading your tone out wide. If the word "felt" comes out sounding like "faaaaahlt" then chances are you need to cover your tone. Just a little backspace, that's all it takes. Because, projecting to the rafters and sounding shrill? Eeek. Projecting to the rafters with a full, rich tone? Sexxxay.
Plus, she affects this funky breathy little girl tone on I'm Not That Girl that ruins the song for me. Stephanie J. Block (from the touring company) on the other hand, brought me to snuffling tears with her heartfelt, beautiful rendition of the same song. I'm not one of those form-over-function types who enjoys heartless but technically perfect music. On the contrary, if it doesn't touch my heart I don't care how perfect it is. However, I do firmly believe that technical prowess can help the performer more fully relate the story of a song and express the nuances of emotion contained therein. Plus it keeps your voice happy and healthy. Yay all around!
Kristin Chenowith on the other hand? I HEART her! *squeee*
When I see depressing creatures
with unprepossessing features
I remind them on their own behalf
to think of celebrated heads of state or
even Great Communicators
Did they have brains or knowledge? Don't make me laugh!
They were popular!
However, I'm going to be a music snob. I know Idina Menzel worked her butt off, I know she won the Tony, I know that she's the professional singer and not I. But I don't like her technique.
I told you I was a snob.
I don't like the way she spreads her tone; you can sing with a forward tone, enunciate and project to the rafters without spreading your tone out wide. If the word "felt" comes out sounding like "faaaaahlt" then chances are you need to cover your tone. Just a little backspace, that's all it takes. Because, projecting to the rafters and sounding shrill? Eeek. Projecting to the rafters with a full, rich tone? Sexxxay.
Plus, she affects this funky breathy little girl tone on I'm Not That Girl that ruins the song for me. Stephanie J. Block (from the touring company) on the other hand, brought me to snuffling tears with her heartfelt, beautiful rendition of the same song. I'm not one of those form-over-function types who enjoys heartless but technically perfect music. On the contrary, if it doesn't touch my heart I don't care how perfect it is. However, I do firmly believe that technical prowess can help the performer more fully relate the story of a song and express the nuances of emotion contained therein. Plus it keeps your voice happy and healthy. Yay all around!
Kristin Chenowith on the other hand? I HEART her! *squeee*
