History Repeating?

[Ranking Glasses]

Years ago there was a debate on this board about Hugh Mundell and Lacksley Castell. Someone said they had whiney voices which really annoyed me because I'm s huge fan of Hugh Mundell's music in particular.

In recent years I've enjoyed listening to I Wayne, Chris Martin, Chronixx and especially Taurrus Riley. However, while I like their music it doesn't blow my socks off. Is it because they all have "whiney" voices?

I'm not wishing to offend anyone as I was offended years ago but their voices do sound weak compared to Samory I for example.

[guillaumebougard]

Taurus a whiney voice? you must have listened to someone else

[Ranking Glasses]

Ok, maybe "whiney" isn't quite the right word in Taurrus Riley's case. Had family round over Christmas and was playing his songs / videos over YouTube. A family member had a curious look on her face while "One Drop" was playing and when it finished she said "His voice doesn't suit him." I asked her what she meant and she summed it up by saying: "He's got a small voice for such a big bloke!".

[KingSimeonSound]

Regarding Tarrus, I think I'd put that down to someone else's expectations, maybe they were expecting Barry White!

Not many Yard vocalists are technical, the ability to emote and have a unique/identifiable voice has always been as important. H.Mundell is a good example, and can be an acquired taste and as is often the case, it can be as much down to the quality of music and production that allows some to break into longer lasting recognition.

More recently; as for general issues with some JA vocalists, there is a higher proportion of nasal singers who get away with it. But thats a good thing about JA, to produce some great tunes, one off albums that keep things turning over and interesting. I-Wayne is a good example, although I know he did a few albums.

[Ranking Glasses]

It's hard to define because some people say that a good production / riddim carries a mediocre singer while others say that their voices off-set and compliment the riddim. It's defintely the latter for me with Hugh Mundell.

Don't get me wrong, I love Taurrus Riley and I think that I have all his CDs. However, compare his voice to Jimmy Riley for example and you'll see what I mean.

I think there is another factor here in that "nasally" / "whiney" vocals are in vogue at the moment maybe in contrast to the gruff vocals of Sizzla, etc.?

[riddleithat]

Not whiney....... but how about an alley cat howling away after it got its paw caught on a wire fence...... that would be a nice description of Goundations lead screecher...

I still can't figure out how/why that band attracted such large audiences (especially in countries where I thought Reggae audiences were more in tuned to 'good/real' Reggae)

Actually, I can't even take Groundations contrived riddims... Reggae should not have THAT made overly calculated chord changes...

Aside from my never ending goofing/confusion with Groundation.... the question of what makes a singer a GREAT singer is always a fun thought process... range/emotion/not sounding like an alley cat

[Ranking Glasses]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aL6x6TNCcos

At least he doesn't have a weak voice. Although we would all probably benefit from his voice being a little weaker.

[Novice]

Whiney voices...it's f*cking reggae music, virtually every singer has "whined" at some point or another, or "wailed," except for those bronchial dinosaurs but in either of these cases it's either done well or it's not but to just say they're voices are whiney is a bit lazy. I think Hugh and Lacksley have very emotive voices but their execution is sometimes on point and sometimes not as convincing. Don Carlos and Michael Prophet have would technically be considered to have whiney voices as well I suppose though again I'd call it emotive, not "whiney." I think the person who described it as whiney was probably more referring to their nasal tone more than just the voice in which case you just don't like the way air flows through a particular singers nose/vocal chords so then don't listen to them. Eek a Mouse, another whiney singer.

By these descriptions, whiney voices apparently are some of my most enjoyed because they seem to be able to make lovely melodies with their whiney vocals. I suppose a "melody" is just the whiney portion of any piece of music.

Billy Boyo...Little Harry, young Yami Bolo.

Aside from the gruff voiced human buzz saws, who would be some singers that are not "whiney"....were there any whiney ska singers cause I sure can't think of any off the top of my head, is it just the slower nature of reggae that makes it sound whiney?

-Me-

[Ranking Glasses]

I think that whiney plus weak may be the issue because a strong whiney voice can be distinctive and penetrating as you say and the perfect accompaniment to slow and heavy reggae.

This thread is more about the current Chris Martin style which is the in thing at the moment. The Zapp / Computer Love style has also made a come back and it can get quite annoying after a while.

[Novice]

Ahh, I see. Not familiar with really any current artists so I'll defer opinion to those who are more familiar. Last current music I checked out was that album with all the cuts on the "I'm Living" rhythm by Sizzla which I really enjoy so anyone got recommendations like that I'd check out and apparently this Samory I is supposed to be the business so I'll get around to that eventually too.

-Me-

[Ranking Glasses]

Hugely popular: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djpOg7xF5i0

[guillaumebougard]

Ok, maybe "whiney" isn't quite the right word in Taurrus Riley's case. Had family round over Christmas and was playing his songs / videos over YouTube. A family member had a curious look on her face while "One Drop" was playing and when it finished she said "His voice doesn't suit him." I asked her what she meant and she summed it up by saying: "He's got a small voice for such a big bloke!".

the thing is, Tarrus is no Jimmy as far as size is concerned. he is not that tall at all!

[guillaumebougard]

Not whiney....... but how about an alley cat howling away after it got its paw caught on a wire fence...... that would be a nice description of Goundations lead screecher...

I still can't figure out how/why that band attracted such large audiences (especially in countries where I thought Reggae audiences were more in tuned to 'good/real' Reggae)

Actually, I can't even take Groundations contrived riddims... Reggae should not have THAT made overly calculated chord changes...

Aside from my never ending goofing/confusion with Groundation.... the question of what makes a singer a GREAT singer is always a fun thought process... range/emotion/not sounding like an alley cat

+1
they are very nice people but I dont like their music
not even real reggae if you ask me

[Ranking Glasses]

Went out for New Year's last night and they played some Romain Virgo. Pleasant background music to my ears but not really my cup of tea. However, other people there really like this sound because it's what's in style. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB7XsZceo50

Yes, I'm sure they're all very nice and hard working people. I love several of the songs from the above mentioned artists, and we had a great time dancing to Chronnixx Spanish Town Rocking last night.