So, Jerry: "This should be a real short thread," huh?

A few years ago, I had my first opportunity to sing in front of a big loud rock/soul band (as opposed to performing solo with acoustic guitar), and was surprised to find that my vocal range increased substantially into the upper registers when "shouting" over a five piece horn section on numbers like "I Feel Good (I Got You)" and "Sweet Soul Music."

I don't know exactly how to describe this blues-shouting technique; it's decidedly not falsetto (although one can easily switch back and forth to falsetto, without the abrupt yodel-type changeover), but it's different from normal singing, or at least different from any other singing I had done previously. Also, not as tiring (not such a strain on the throat) as falsetto. And, definitely straight out of the African/American gospel-soul tradition.

Is this just what's meant by "head" vs "chest" voice? YOu can hear what I'm talking about on almost any collection of James Brown, Otis Redding, Al Green, one-hit-wonder Arthur Conly, etc.