blog post Live on CBC Radio 3: All Request Monday - Voices with Character

what do you think of Holly Cole's album "Temptation"?

Hey Tariq,

Dave McCann has a voice full of character. I'd love to hear Unfamiliar Ground or Standing in the River. Both songs showcase a voice full of integrity and honesty; a voice weathered by experience, strong and gentle all at once.

TW

Tariq, I completely agree with your "character" over technique argument.

I personally love the growl of Damian in F'd Up and the gruff Bruce-y vocals of Bry Webb in Constantines. 

Anyone that doesn't like Bob or Neil because of their voice really aren't my friends.  I mean, c'mon. 

I really really really like The Hold Steady, but I know quite a few people that just can't get over the guy's voice.  While I agree that it's not the most 'accessible', it really does add another element to the music.

can you please play royal city's "bad luck" AND/OR islands "where there's a will there's a whalebone".

many thanks!

I think we broke Grant!  Sorry about that!  (Music PEI was a blast, he tweeted something about waking up on his hotel room floor! hehe)

I'd love to hear something by Haunted Hearts or English Words, as they were two bands who absolutely Rocked Music PEI over the weekend.  (It was the Music PEI Awards, which Grant was keynoting)

Martin

Oh, and I totally agree with you, I would call those voices who have character as well.  I hate this trend towards 'American Idolism' where you have to have a perfect voice in order to even get on the show.  bullshit, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Cohen, they're all the best!  I would say a lot of the bands I love here in PEI don't have great voices, but they're unique, and that rocks.  Listen to The Danks, Brohan has a voice that sounds like it's about to collapse on him, but it works!

As I mentioned on Craig’s blog, I think most anyone who quits tobacco is likely to have a relapse. Advice below aims at overcoming that.

But first, may I say that it’s likely that at some point, between two and five days after quitting, you’ll have a horrible day. Not feeling normal at all. Me, smoking as I was smoking for almost 20 years, ending at 30+ fags a day, and fairly skinny as I was (fat – that’s where the nicotine reserves are), it was the third day. Couldn’t accomplish anything. Coming off being wired feels weird.

But I should get to the nut. Let’s say you go out drinking with friends, or you have a fight or something, and your resolve fails AND YOU HAVE A CIGARETTE! First off, forgive yourself: you’re human, not perfect. Second, don't think “oh I may as well smoke, lalala…”, you know, the guilty, self-defeating reasoning. It's a p.o.s.

To work through having had that ciggie or three, you have to have one rule of steel, only one: don’t touch tobacco, not even one puff, for 1 week to the minute. One week is doable.

That will take care both of the psychological demon of failure and of the nicotine habit – which can be sustained with only one cig a day.

In my case, I ended up having one cigarette a week for a few months up until I stuck one in my mouth one Friday and thought "yuck, it'll upset my stomach if I light it". I didn't, I never have since.

That’s about it, dear RedVee. Best of luck. Sorry, I take it back. Luck has nothing to do with it...

Oh, a pee-ess:  after you’ve quit, when you’d looooove a ciggie, breathe deeply a few times, even faking it with a handheld something (a Bic pen?). Surprisingly, it helps a bit.

Blast, so sad Alex and Boders and Brenda and I missed him when I was there and he played the Biltmore.  Alas... He did say he was going to tour out east, so that's good.

Also, I agree with everyone you listed!

two obvious voices: Dan Mangan and the fellas in Japandroids.  Totally different sounds but both notable styles; Dan with his quirky lilt and fantastic story telling, Brian and Dave with their call and repeat.  Let's hear something from both ('wet hair'? 'the indie queens are waiting'?)

would you say that part of that (the "American Idol syndrome") is because there's no focus on songwriting? It's all about how well you can sing other people's songs.

I don't know that Cohen, Dylan or Waits would be known at all if they didn't write great songs.

I love Ruth Minikin's vocals - she has a great voice with character too. How about The Guthries, Lay it All Out.

good point about songwriting.  American Idol focuses soley on a singer.  It's just that focus is so far removed from the type of music we like here (people/bands writing their own lyrics, music, etc), but so close to what works in the mainstream.  I think with the overt focus on one aspect of music, they've lost the point of music.  And it leads the people who watch those shows to start being overly critical of the singing voice, and missing the uniqueness, the great songs, songwriting, and everything that we find that we like about our favorite music here.

I generally don't like gruffer voices right off the bat; sometimes they grow on me, sometimes they don't.  It took me a while to like to Leonard Cohen, for instance.

It depends a lot on what they're singing; I think different styles of music suit different kinds of voices.

I love a voice that sounds like singer's been gargling broken glass and smoknig chesterfields.  (Not the cigarette brand...the things you sit on) 

Being a singer is much "easier" than being a singer-songwriter.

Also, them Idol shows are teevee, you know, spectacles American-style: big audience, easy common denominators, and the wow factor both spontaneous and forced, that's what those shows are about.

Compare the Idols to (it's not fair, I know) Elvis Costello's show, what's it called again? Ah yes, Spectacle!!!

Now there are singer songwriters! Also, Live at Rehearsal Hall is fine, fine fine.

Totally agree about Wristcutters:  A Love Story.  Fantastic movie, I think it may have been my favorite that I saw last year.

Ya japandroids love! Wet hair!!!!!! Song of the year in 2009 (according to myself), yet it has never ever ever been played on Radio 3.  I can't actually prove this, but I feel correct.

I really like the tandem duo of the japandroid boys.  It's honest, sincere, and they really do sound like they're wearing their heart on their sleeve.

Love, love, love Tom Waits.  His voice has an honesty & sincerity to it that just takes me away.  That's what I look for in any singer, or any song regardless of style or genre. 

On the flipside, this is why I hate Celine Dion.  I'm sure she's a lovely person, and she's got an amazing instrument that I can respect, but the way she uses it??  Way too theatrical & over the top. I put her in the same category as those death metal screechy guys.  Stop overdoing it & just sing the damn song.

Song Request:   Jim Guthrie, Turn Musician

You are going to play something by Leonard Cohen, right?  I'm not going to request a specific song, because I don't know what you have in the system, but surely there's something there.

Ok, I guess Leonard Cohen is on a major label, so maybe that won't work.  Darn.

I've also used the "If you don't like ____  you can't be my friend" to describe Wilco.  I seriously mean that one.  I can understand all the preconcieved notions about not liking Bobby or Neil, but the casual music fan doesn't know Wilco.  So anyways, the story.

Driving to Saskatoon a month or two ago with my friend Jen.  Jen is driving and therefore it's up to her to pick the music.  She says she's goign to play "the best cover song I've ever heard.  I bet most people in the crowd don't even recognize the original.  It's just soooooo amazing"....... she procedes to play John Mayer's rednition "Free Falling".  Being a giant Tom Petty fan, I'm not impressed.  But I bite my tongue and say "it's pretty good".

This is shortly after I just got my front row tickets to see Wilco, so I'm in full fledged Jeff Tweedy mode.  I politely ask if I can play her a song.  She lets me.  We're all happy.  Now, keep in mind the tape deck converter to ipod doesn't exactly give the best quality of sound.  And the '97 astrovan speakers with only the bass/treble knobs to adjust aren't helping either.  But anyways, I'm bold.  I put on my favorite song, "Impossible Germany (live)" with the craaaaaaazy guitar solo(s).  It sounds like crap, Jen's not impressed, and I'm confused.  So I put on something a little more rocking, "you Never Know"... still sounds like crap because its so damn muffled. 

Now I'm thinking, well Wilco's more of lyrical band anyways, let's try a good ol' folky song.  So I play her Handshake Drugs.  I mean, it's a great song and there's no real reason to not like it, ya know.

Jen: "I dunno, Matty.  I'm sure they're good but they're just too boring".

when she put it on more John Mayer I refused to talk the rest of the drive.

I am really getting sick of Hawksley Workman.  Most recently, this song.

I am laying part of the blame on all radio stations that play him.  Hawksley, just like Matt Good and Sam Roberts, are very talented musicians that make great music.  But after hearing the same song about 1000 times over and over again, and from all angles (r3, fm, web, etc etc) I'm really getting worn down.  I dunno, it's not like I don't like him or the song it's just getting the knee-jerk Nickleback reaction for me now.  And then I forget to click back and I miss the host break.

small complaint.  And it'll probably go unnoticed since 99% of everyone else wants to hear it MORE. haha

on the bright side, she at least knew Free Falling was a cover...

(I'll quit spamming the blog and get back to work in a second)

Thank You For Sending Me some Cons.  And what are the chances that you would play the song stuck in my head?!?!

This is just too bizarre.  I downloaded some old EP not that long ago, threw this song on a CD, and literally can't get it out of my head.  Is it a cover?

I've seen them live like 20 times and have never heard them play it.  have you? It's kick ass regardless!

My cousin told me that my problem is that I don't listen to enough mainstream music, like Britney Spears, etc and that R3 was a factor in said problem.

request: some Jenn Grant would be nice, seeing her this Friday in St. John's :D

You can't be friends with your cousin anymore.

@suckamc Yeah it hurt, but right after she told me this, I started playing Elliott Brood and told her to deal with it

@wacky I know. She moved back to Australia not that long after said comment, and I was fine, but the comment still hurt

what about the voice of geddy lee how did it get so high? i wonder if he speaks like an ordinary guy?

24 days!  Awesome, man!!!  I know you are a big fan, and you are gonna love their live stuff!!!  You'll probably develop an entirely new appreciation.  I'm jealous....I've gotta wait til March 23rd in Clearwater.  Let me know how the show goes, OK?

Interesting tip!  I may  have to give her a try en francais someday, but I gotta say, it's not really high on my priority list.  I do feel bad about using the word "hate", though.  Let's just say I don't have any Celine in my collection...

As for requests, how about some Chad van Gaalen? Willow Tree?

Nice Pavement reference.

aww they're coming in? yes! hot commodity right now!

If anyone is interested in seeing photos of that night: www.mcavoy.ca/peakfinale

Have you seen where you can place requests for tunes you wanna hear at the Wilco show?

The first one that pops into my head right now for current artists is Chad VanGaalen, particularly songs like "Cries of the Dead" and "Willow Tree" with his falsetto voice and . But if I think about it a little more, I could also pick out the voice of Paul Murphy. I had a chance to peep a couple of tracks from his side-project Postadata, and I'm loving it. Its not so much that his voice has a crazy characteristic to it or anything, but the way he phrases is great.

fockin?  hi-o?

  Tom Waits hands down one of my favourites! I have a love and I mean LOVE for Nick Cave! Oh man is he ever amazing. I also really enjoy the following: Mark Sasso (Elliott Brood), as mentioned before Dan Mangan, Neko Case is perfection! Obviously Leonard Cohen and I named my Son after Hayden so he is defiantly one my favourite voices and artists. He is not Canadian but I have to mention him mark kozelek..WOW! If you are not familiar with him look him up you will not be dis-pleased. I could go on and on, but I will stop and get back to the world of Accounting. whoo hooo!

You're firing on all cylinders today! Picked up on the Pavement quote before I could even blog it to the world! (speaking of Pavement, I have a greatest hits vinyl coming in right away!!! Or maybe it is in right now, UPS delivered a random package to the airport instead of my house.... I don't know where to begin with those guys)

Remember last week Lana had the Bucket List? Wilco has been right at the top of mine for a while now.  Here's the list I had made up about 3 years ago.  Being a GIGANTIC  Hold Steady fan, my buddy was in awe when I said the only band in the whole world that I would give up a THS show for would be Wilco.  I'm still hanging onto that claim.

Bob Dylan

The Hold Steady

Wilco

The Flaming Lips

The Black Keys

Kanye West

Drive By Truckers

Arcade fire

so basically I'm hoping to cross the last one off my list later this year

thanks for playing shotgun jimmiei love his vocal style. and theres something about seeing him play waist deep in the water live, and knowing you can just belt it out that part "sure is haaaard to runnnn" with your own not-perfect voice. perfect feeling:)

Most of the voices with character listed so far have been men's voices.  Actually, all but Neko Case, I think.

I'll add Cub to the list, although I think their vocal style is not that distinctive considering their genre.  And maybe Simone Shmidt of $100.

Can anyone think of other female artists with distinctive voices that they like?  Are distinctive female voices harder to love than distinctive male voices?  And if so, is it an inherent quality of those voices, or a result of the different expectations we have of men and women?

Wayne Petti from Cuff The Duke! Best new(ish) voice in Canada. 

I'll mention again, Tanya Davis.  It may just be an accent thing but I find her singing to be fascinating to listen to.  And so many accents go away when people sing so I'm going to chalk it up to it being her own way of singing.

Also gotta love Jenn Grant, Valery Gore, and Isis.  And Regina Spektor for non-Canadians.

I think most voices are unique on radio3! by that, I mean generally we can tell who it is without cheating and looking at the player right?

That being said, I think you're on to something about female voices.  They generally just tend to be, well, better.  Like more perfect.  Then it's just different levels of perfect-ness.

Fully agree with Neko Case, but geeze does Amber Weber have a set of lungs on her?! Ditto with Her Royal Majest, Ms. Leslie Feist.  Hey Tariq, wanna play some Wilco and Feist? :-)

I also highly enjoy Regina Spektor, her voice is phenomenal (but American/Russian so she doesn't count) and definitely unique. 

To finish up my rambly post, since we played Neil and Tom can we play some Joni? A case of you? Pretty please?

Sweet! I love Regina too.  but not Regina. 

are you still going to SXSW? I'm getting sick of this city that rhymes with fun and am antsy for a vacation.

WOLF PARADE!  That is a band with some character voices.  I'll admit on the first few listens I was turned off, but it grows on you, and their voices fit well with the music they make.

These last couple of tracks reminded to not forget our favorite emcees! Buck 65 for example!

Nice list!  The only artists on there I have not seen are Black Keys (don't know much about them, but will definitely investigate) and Kanye West.....personally, I have no desire to support KW via the expenditure of my hard-earned dollars.  I wholeheartedly agree that he is a really solid writer, though.

Stephen Malkmus has written some great stuff....enjoy the Greatest!

Drive By Truckers put on a really cool show, don't they?  I always chuckle inwardly when I hear their name referenced in the Officer Down lyrics.

Ashleigh Ball, Hannah Georgas, Adaline were 3 I've already mentioned

how about Ms. Barber? a jazzy voice that you'd definitely pick out when the song started....

Howz about Jill Barber?  Very distinctive.

For men, the gravelly deep sound was unique/different a while back, but it seems now every other singer has a growly voice. For women, I think we've been subjected (wrong word, but I can't think of a better one) for longer. I like Betty Bonifassi's voice as well as Sarah Harmer. Their voices have character.

Betty White is very distinct.  The Betty Whites can represent her.

@tim: ditto on coachella.  I know people going to that one, and I was kinda like "yeah... but I really wanna see Austin, TX.... and Japandroids/Fucked up will be there.... so.... I dunno....." and they filled up the car.  Oops.  So basically, I have no plans.

@1Wacky: DBT were a hilight for me.  I've been a fan of that band for YEARS but they didn't come anywhere near Canada. then randomly it was a show in Calgary, followed by a show in Winnipeg, then they musta just decided to play a one-off show in S'toon on their way and Matt was a happy boy.

TBK are great.  I flew to Vancouver for a weekend of them, Ladyhawk, and Black Mountain.  Very well worth it, and they ended up shooting a DVD the night before our show so i can relive all it's glory.

and yeah, I saw Kanye before he was too much of an idiot.  I'm still generally on his side for all the things he SAYS... not so much does.  He was going to come again last year, but i couldnt justify the ticket price and I'm a FAN.  Then he cancelled to go to rehab. So, yeah...

i can't quite get my thoughts into words on this (other than: bring on the distinctive character voices!)

so I wont' bother.  but i'll suggest the lead singer from 100 dollars as having a distinctive, character voice... a unique voice that isn't necessarily pretty but grabs you nonetheless, or maybe because of that.

(oh, and the woman in Squirrel Nut Zippers! there's a distinctive quirky female voice)

The female singer in Use Every Part Of The Deer is awesome!  What's her name again?

I think it's Dahlila Reddincooper,

Some others...

Hayden, PJ Harvey, Cat Power, always like the Dears' Murray too. All distinct voices.

I thought so.  Sounds right doesn't it? 

Are you a yoda? Are you a jedi mind reader?

I mean seriously, first, picking "thank you for sending me an angel" was pretty trippy.  That was a bit uncalled for on a Monday.  I'm not quite ready for surprises like that.  Thank you.

And now, out of all of Bobby's catalogue, you pick "Don't Think Twice".  It's only my favorite song by him.  There's only hundreds of songs and thousands of versions, but you pick my favorite.  The last verse is the meanest break-up in recorded music history.

Thanks dude.

A few people have mentioned the Dears, could you please play something off No Cities Left?

Please that would be lovely! Or am I too late for requests?

moe: are you referring to the PJ concert in '03?  I'm guessing so, and yes their cover of Neil Young was killer.

matty: gotta give props to BC boys who are kicking ass!  c'mon Tariq, let's hear some NOISE!

merci! great concept for today's show

yes, almost 7 years, truly terrifying.  one of the best shows I've ever seen

I can't really agree there.  It's true that I don't really want to hear most love songs screamed, but that holds for both male and female singers.  And there are songs that require a little screaming, and some of them are by women, you know?  See also: pretty much every Bikini Kill song.