Best harmony singers

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: PoppaGator
Date: 22 Dec 04 - 01:20 PM

It *is* surprising that it took so long for someone to mention Levon Helms and Rick Danko of The Band. I think they make a case for how well UN-related, very different, voices can harmonize.

Reverting back to the subject of harmonizing siblings, how could I have failed to mention my homeboys, the Neville Brothers?

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: Once Famous
Date: 22 Dec 04 - 02:14 PM

Aha! Now I understand the PoppaGator thing!

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: Bobert
Date: 22 Dec 04 - 06:23 PM

Surprised that no one has mentioned the Gatlin Brothers, who harmonize with the best of 'um.

And of course, Emmy Lou could harmonize with a chainsaw if she had to. She's done some stuff with Buddy Miller which is real fine but, then again, I like Buddy'd stuff.

Simon and Garfunkle arguably seem to set the bar when it come to pop folk.

The Everly Brothers...

The Byrds...

The Pozo Sego Singers, with Don Williams, hit it purdy good, too.

The Seldome Scene was real tight prior to the death of J. Duffy...

The Righteous Brothers...

Doctor Hook and the Medicine Show. Wow, these guys could sing together... "Carry me, Carri"... Like I said... Wow...

Well, that's my short list.

Bobert

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: Margret RoadKnight
Date: 22 Dec 04 - 08:17 PM

Kathy & Carol
- (their '60s album recently reissued on CD - yay!)
- Bulgarian women's choirs & groups, and duets featuring that drone.
- Joe & Eddie

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: Gorgeous Gary
Date: 22 Dec 04 - 08:46 PM

I'm with Graham on Artisan, and for all the same reasons. They're one of my favorite groups and are on my drop-everything-else list when they come through town.

-- Gary

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: MuddleC
Date: 22 Dec 04 - 09:02 PM

-mere words cannot describe the unmitigated beauty of listening to Maddy Prior, her daughter Rose Kemp, and Abbie Lathe singing 'I need you to turn to' live!!

catch it on the CD 'Bib & Tuck'

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: Peace
Date: 22 Dec 04 - 10:25 PM

One of the best harmonizers I ever met in this life is a gal named Liz Tanzey. I sang a few times with her in Montreal, and she never failed to blow muh mind with her vocals. She had a natural, instinctive 'feel' for just the right timbre, vocal clarity and projection. What a gal. She could rock and roll or provide just the thing on tender ballads like Wild Mountain Time (Thyme/Tyme). She had the ability to provide a backup that was considerate of the 'lead' singers with whom she worked, and the tremendous ability to split the mike and make the song bigger and better than it could ever be with just one voice. She could drift in and out of unison-singing to third or fifth part harmony with the ease of a duck swimming under water. I do not know what has becaome of Liz. I hope the Universe has been good to her. If anyone reading this knows her or sees her singing somewhere, please give her my love and tell her I have never forgot those times we shared the stage and the mike. What a singer. Here's to ya, Liz.

Bruce Murdoch

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: GUEST,chinmusic
Date: 22 Dec 04 - 10:35 PM

Besides being great lead singers, I love the harmony voices of Eve Goldberg and Amanda Walther. Though they are not a duo, their rich harmonies always take a song to another plateau.

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: Mike Regenstreif
Date: 22 Dec 04 - 11:02 PM

Hi Bruce,

I remember hearing Liz sing with you.

Liz ended up in Toronto. I've seen her credit as a backup singer from time to time. I think she made a commercial pop album of her own at one point.

Mike Regenstreif

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: Peace
Date: 22 Dec 04 - 11:18 PM

Thank you, Mike.

I wish you the best this holiday season. I won't wish you a merry Christmas, but I hope your New Year is fantastic. You have been a great friend to me, Mike. If I ever get the newer stuff recorded, I promise you you will have it at least a few weeks before anyone else.

Keep well, buddy.

Bruce Murdoch

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: GUEST,Gadaffi
Date: 23 Dec 04 - 04:12 AM

Swan Arcade
The Watersons
Young Tradition

The Coppers
The Millen Family

South Yorkshire/Peak District pub carollers, esp. those at Worrall, Ingbirchworth and Dungworth.

Coope, Boyes and Simpson
The Songwainers

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: MARINER
Date: 23 Dec 04 - 07:38 AM

The Louvin Brothers, The Everlys and without any doubt The Voice Squad.

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: Peace
Date: 23 Dec 04 - 07:48 AM

The Double Six of Paris.

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: GUEST,Guest: Fly
Date: 23 Dec 04 - 03:38 PM

On the British scene:-
Look back to Beggars Velvet who had a full range of sounds and tone
CBS undoubtedly for their intricacies
Grace Notes are always good
There is a relatively new group named Four& Aft that are worth a listen - deep and powerful.

Plus the whole club at the Bacca Pipes Folk Club

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 23 Dec 04 - 03:43 PM

I'm with jimmyt on the Four Freshman. For gospel, The Fairfield Four have been outstanding for over 60 years and The Swan Silvertones and the Dixie Hummingbirds were mighty fine, too. And then, not to forget
the Soul Stirrers.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: GUEST,eoin o'buadhaigh
Date: 23 Dec 04 - 03:51 PM

Has to be The Voice Squad or Kate and Anna McGarrigle.
Wouldn't it be heaven if you could get the two groups together.
That would be a good thread... Mix and match... form your own group!
      cheers eoin.

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: PoppaGator
Date: 23 Dec 04 - 04:23 PM

Is there a notable gospel quartet that should NOT be mentioned here? I should add the esteemed name of the wonderful Zion Harmonizers, still going strong after so many years.

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: GUEST,CHampagne Carol's Secret Santa
Date: 23 Dec 04 - 05:28 PM

Shawn Colvin was really nice on ' A heart Needs a Home' with Loudon Wainright the III on the BEAT THE RETREAT Tribute Album.

Another great Emmylou partner...Cheryl White.

Vince Gill is so much more appealing as a Harmoniser than as a lead singer..he accompanies Roseanne Cash on yet another Tribute CD...KINDRED SPIRITS, singing 'I still Miss Someone'

Gilliam Welch with ANYBODY.

I'd laud the Gatlins but I detest their politics. (Right Wing)



Quite apart from who is the BEST...

how come nobody ever needs a Harmony singer where >I< live, huh? All my life I was relagated to singing harmony and hated it, but now that I want to, nobody needs me. Boo hoo. Pity me the poor Harmony singer!

Since Champagne Carol is abed with a bad back, I suppose it's safe to reveal I am in California. I should take out an ad: Underappreciated Harmony Singer seeks lead singer to accompany or somesuch.

Soryy, just all this waxing rhapsodic about OTHER harmony singers has made me feel unloved, not that I can compare of course.

Champagne Carol's Secret Santa

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: Bobert
Date: 23 Dec 04 - 06:04 PM

Forgot a couple gals that I don't think anyone had mentioned: the Indigo Girls...

Bobert

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: GUEST,Dale
Date: 23 Dec 04 - 06:11 PM

Kathy Chiavola. Barnes and Noble lists her on 38 albums, including ones by Garth Brooks, Steve Earle, Maura O'Connell , Kathy Mattea, Daniel O'Donnell, Victor Wooten, Emmylou Harris, Tony Rice, Martina McBride, Mark O'Connor, Claire Lynch, Hazel Dickens, Kenny Rogers, The Country Gazette, Dry Branch Fire Squad, Rhonda Vincent, David Holt, Wayne Newton, Charles Sawtelle, The Rarely Herd, Mark Newton, Joe Carr, David Beaudry, Kazuhiro Inaba, and who knows who all else that aren't in the list. Appears to me that THAT is a harmony singer!

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: GUEST,Piglet
Date: 23 Dec 04 - 06:15 PM

MuddleC - I heartily agree. Although I havent heard the ladies singing live, I recently borrowed 'Bib & Tuck' from my local library and just love the whole CD. Driving the family mad with playing the disc now!

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: GUEST,Dale
Date: 23 Dec 04 - 06:28 PM

Continuing on with some of the others and trying not to mention those already listed:

The Rankin Family (family groups always get extra points)

Mac and Bob (McFarland and Gardner)~~ When The Roses Bloom Again Still gives me a thrill when I hear it

Ricky Skaggs and Tony Rice ~~ not brothers, but sound like it.

Well, Skaggs and most anybody

Buck White & The Down Home Folks (The Whites, if you prefer)

The Poe Sisters (Ruth & Nelle)

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: pdq
Date: 23 Dec 04 - 07:26 PM

I believe that Sharon and Cheryl White were sometimes listed as 'Sharon Hicks' and 'Cheryl Warren', their former married names.

Sharon is now married to Ricky Skaggs but seems to prefer 'Sharon White' as a professional name. The White Family, which includes father Buck, has been standout in traditional Country Music for at least 30 years. They have refused to join the transformation of Country into Rock and Pop-Rock as so many others have done.

'The Whites' CD "A lifetime in the Making" is as fine an effort in acoustic Country Music as anything ever done.

Sharon and Cheryl do the harmony on Steve Goodman's song "When My Rowboat Comes In".

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: Ferrara
Date: 23 Dec 04 - 11:01 PM

Soup Kitchen, a trio from West Virginia (formerly known as the Missing Person Soup Kitchen Gospel Quartet), they are Bill and Rebecca Kimmons and Will Fanning.

Not as well known as they oughta be IMHO. Their group harmonies and interaction are great, definitely the kind of unexpected and "right" harmonies that give me goosebumps; and they are very good improvisers, especially Becky who blows me away when she is improvising harmonies in an after-hours sing.

Am enjoying this thread, there's this great happy feeling of, "Oh, yes!   Them too! And that group, too!" What fun.

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: Ferrara
Date: 26 Dec 04 - 10:41 PM

Refresh on account o' we had a little unscheduled vacation over the holiday. Thanks again for getting us back up, Max.

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Dec 04 - 04:47 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: John C.
Date: 27 Dec 04 - 09:58 AM

If I may introduce a note of curmudgeonly scepticism (Merry Xmas, Mr Scrooge!) - I hate harmonies! This hideous, self-indulgent droning far too often spoils my enjoyment of a perfectly good song. And certainly on the British folk scene the popularity of many harmony groups, from the Watersons onwards, have contributed, in my opinion, to that most horrible of phenomena the dirge-like chorus/refrain (picture dozens of bearded blokes, tankards on their belts and clogs on their feet, eyes closed and fingers in their ears and all singing through their noses, in a variety of keys, the umptyninth interminable chorus of 'Fathom the Bowl' or 'The Wild Rover' - deadly!!!).
I can't speak for our friends across the Pond but I believe that the English Folk song tradition (and Scottish and Irish as well) is a melodic and narrative one and harmonies have a tendency to smooth out the (often very beautiful) tunes and get in the way of the story. Ban harmonies - that's what I say!

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: Once Famous
Date: 27 Dec 04 - 10:28 AM

Maybe there's too much warble and braying in British folk music to make harmonies effective.

It takes a tin ear to not appreciate good harmony, no matter what little country you come from.

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: GUEST,bflat
Date: 27 Dec 04 - 12:21 PM

The unique qualities of voice that develop in siblings make for the best harmony so I'll go with the Everlys, the McGarrigles and the Lennon and the McGuire Sisters.

Ellen

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: jimmyt
Date: 27 Dec 04 - 01:01 PM

You know, I think John C brings up a good point, although I personally don't agree. From what I have gleaned, English (Scottish, Celtic, Irish ) music seems to be more in the spirit of the Single voice, story telling set to music vein probably descended from Minstrals, bards, troubedours, etc with its origins in the mists of time. A lot of American folk music also falls into this category also. But to say you don't like harmony singing is sort of like saying only a solo instrument, not a string quartet, accompanied music, Symphony, etc.   Seems like there is more tyhan one art form we are discussing here.

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: John C.
Date: 27 Dec 04 - 03:19 PM

Oh dear, and I was trying very hard not to be nationalistic - I really don't know enough about American trad. song to know if harmony singing is appropriate or not.
Yes, I do come from a little country (England) and, no, I don't think it's better than any other country (although, as an Englishman, I believe I've got much to be thankful for). What I do know, though, is that my ancestors, although they were often poor and often had very little, left behind a beautiful legacy of traditional songs and I want to hear those songs presented in the most appropriate way possible. This has nothing to do with having a tin ear - I hope!
It has always seemed to me that everyone who encounters the old songs immediately wants to convert them into something else - often before they have even begun to grasp their essence. Thus the Edwardian collectors wanted to turn them into classical music whilst the 60s rock generation wanted to turn them into rock songs; to sing them in harmony is, to me, merely part of the same phenomenon.

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 27 Dec 04 - 03:31 PM

John C: I love harmony singing and always have. But, there are many folk songs that I feel carry more power when sung solo. Some, when they are unaccompanied, for that matter. To me, it depends as much on the song, as anything. If the song is about a personal experience, it can sound odd with a group of people all singing "I."
Which "I" are we referring to? Narrative songs and ballads often sound better to me as a solo singer. Mostly, it's songs with a good chorus that feel "right" for harmonizing.

On the other hand, would you really like to hear sea chanteys sung solo? "Haul away me laddies," could then be sung "Haul away me" I know some folk singers who resent anyone singing along on the chorus, which I've never understood. That's why they're called "choruses."
Theres a certain romance in the lone folk singer catching a freight with his cheap guitar strapped across his back that doesn't seem to allow for a quartet of harmony singers catching the same train.

All that said, I LOVE harmony singing... singing it, and listening to it.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: Metchosin
Date: 27 Dec 04 - 04:42 PM

Well Jerry, maybe John C doesn't think of it as a "chorus", but as a "refrain", as in please, refrain from singing this part. LOL

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 27 Dec 04 - 05:03 PM

LOL,. Metchosin! Now, there are some singers who are so bad, I'd encourage the audience to sing so loud that they drown them out...

Jerry

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: catspaw49
Date: 27 Dec 04 - 06:47 PM

We had an almost identical thread a few years ago and looking back, it got almost identical results........General agreement on the strength of blood harmonies with a nod to the Everlys at possibly the top. Emmylou with lots of votes saying she can sing with anyone. Don Rich literally defined the beginning and the end of Buck Owens' career........Lot of the same stuff on both threads with a lot of different folks.

I don't think I saw Robin and Linda Williams in this thread so I'll add them on here. And Vix....good call on the Golden Ring.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: Ferrara
Date: 27 Dec 04 - 11:29 PM

John C, there are lots of different regional approaches to harmony, as well as to allowing people to sing along on choruses. For Appalachian ballads the traditional style is solo singing, even on refrains and choruses. American "old time" music has harmonies though. And it's definitely trad, it just comes from a different tradition, mostly a matter of what region.

Gospel in the U.S. usually has harmonies, but there are exceptions such as Primitive Baptist and Shaker singing.

Norman Kennedy is fine with people singing on refrains and choruses but does NOT want them to sing harmonies. For one thing, he's not used to it and it throws them off. However Lou Killen says that in his local tradition people sang on the choruses and he seems quite happy to have plenty of improvised harmony as well.

Having said all that, I'm really very much in sympathy with what you seem to be saying, which is to say that whenever possible I would prefer to hear songs sung the way the old folks sang 'em.

And "tarting up" a song, as Derek Seed put it, is not usually what I like to hear. Still it can make for some great music and of course there's another factor, no one can say that the harmonies of the Everley Brothers are not an "authentic" style for their songs, can they?

There's room for everything although I too would like to see there being more room for respect for the traditional ways of singing the songs I like best.... A lot of those styles are getting harder and harder to find and hear.

Rita F

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: andymac
Date: 28 Dec 04 - 01:59 AM

Seems to me there are two threads to this thread now.
Firstly,
Harmony singers:
Coope Boyes and Simpson
Sweet Honey in the Rock,
Davey Steele and Drinkers Drouth (Not at all dirge-like.)
Jolly Jack, (who recorded two albums, full of hrarmonies- late 70s early 80s),
Palaver, 4 top Scots solo female singers singing together,
John Holland and Tony Barratt
The Johnson Girls

and secondly,
Whether or not harmonies are appropriate:
John C makes a good point takes it to extremes...

In my opinion, some songs are "made" for harmonies, eg Sea Shanties
however, other songs lose a lot of their emotional impact when harmonies are employed...Can you imagine (without waking, screaming, in the middle of the night) hearing harmonies to "Chylde Owlett", or "Sheath and Knife"? Many tradional songs are narrative ballads and as such are often far better with a solo voice; often but not exclusively, unaccompanied.

I for one, wouldn't want to hear the big ballads sung with sickly, sacharine, sanitised harmonies, nor would I want to have all harmonies banned.



Andy

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: John C.
Date: 28 Dec 04 - 05:18 AM

I really appreciate the thoughtful and informative responses to my (admittedly) rather provocative comments - they are probably more measured and restrained than I deserve! Thanks guys - you've just re-inforced my faith in this wonderful community that we belong to. A happy and prosperous New Year to all of you.

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: BB
Date: 28 Dec 04 - 06:44 AM

Parts of England did/do traditionally sing in harmony - I learnt my style of harmony singing from traditional singing in Cornwall many years ago, and it still goes on there. Came out of the chapel singing I believe.

I think part of the problem with harmonies detracting from the songs themselves is that many of the harmonies used are not sympathetic to the melodies but seem to be used because they sound clever. Where harmonies are found in the tradition, they tend to be kept quite simple, and their use seems to emphasise rather than detract from the melodies. Even in the carol traditions, the lines may be staggered, and end up sounding quite complex, but the harmonies themselves are very basic.

John C. may be correct in saying that harmony singing can 'smooth out' melodies - 'Pleasant and Delightful' for instance has a tune that differs greatly between, say, the East Anglian one, where there is no tradition of harmony singing AFAIK, and the West Country one which does - but I don't think either is better or worse, just different, and long may those regional differences remain.

As for those archetypal (sp?) chorus singers - they're just bad singers - don't blame the style. I have many times heard wonderful chorus singing - with harmonies - that rattles along at a fair old rate, entirely following the way the lead singer wants it to go. When I have come across what John describes above, it has tended to be sheer self-indulgence, late at night after large amounts of booze - and you're right, it's dreadful!

Barbara

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From:
Date: 29 Dec 04 - 02:26 PM

Hey Jack! Who are you? It's me Susanne Boston! I am the hair color changing half of Harmonic Balancers! Send me and email ok? Susanne

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From:
Date: 29 Dec 04 - 02:41 PM

TO: Guest Jack,

Thanks so much for your mentioning the Balancers. What a thrill it was to see our duo mentioned on such a cool site! God bless & Keep ya, we'll be in Stephenville in February and again in April or May. Come see us & introduce yourself!

DeAnna White, Harmony
Harmonic Balancers

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: Leadfingers
Date: 29 Dec 04 - 03:17 PM

Good Harmony singing is always worth listening to but when the chorus/audience try to take over the way a song is being sung (slowing the Chorus down happens FAR too often in UK) it adds NOTHING to the sound . Those who were fortunate enough to hear the chorus singing in The Cellar Bar at Bracknell will know exactly what I mean !!
Of the current crop can I add a trio of ladies ? Craig Morgan Robson
take a bit of beating IMHO .

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: LadyJean
Date: 30 Dec 04 - 01:08 AM

Clam Chowder were amateurs but gifted amateurs, doing harmony from several traditions.
Maddie Pryor and June Tabor harmonized on two collections. "Silver Whistle" is something pretty special.
Now, I danced in the 1980 Pittsburgh Folk Festival, which also featured a Ukrainian Choir, that was pretty wonderful. My mother was very impressed. My father, who had been in Ukraine during the war was not. "Hmmmph," he said. "Any group of Ukrainians could do that."

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: GUEST,mechanic
Date: 30 Dec 04 - 08:24 AM

if somebody could help me with a title or artist,i would be most   greatful - the only lines i know are - when we meet on that great judgement morning i'll face nobody's record but mine - when we meet on that great judgement morning i'll face nobody's record but my own i heard it on the radio and sung by a group in harmony (accapella i think) not sure if it's gospel,blues or what - thanks for any clues

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: Leadfingers
Date: 30 Dec 04 - 08:40 AM

GUEST.mechanic I would suggest you start a new thread using Lyr Req as a prefix ! A lot of people will not even look at this thread who may be able to help you .

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: GUEST,honestfrankie
Date: 30 Dec 04 - 11:39 AM

I like all the groups mentioned in this thread so far but some great harmonies are found outside the rootsy/folky domain. A black accapella group called "Take 6" has some outstanding harmonies. Also some of the older groups like the Dixie Humminbirds or the Jordinaires that backed Elvis.

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers in response to Mechanic!
From:
Date: 01 Jan 05 - 02:06 PM

Guest Mechanic! Here is what you were looking for! Hope this helps! Susu

I'LL FACE NOBODYS RECORD
(done by the Forbes Family, Molly O'Day, and Limited Edition)

When I stand on that great judgement morning
Hear the records of home that are there
Everything is recorded in Heaven
But this consolation we'll share

Chorus:
I'll face nobody's record but my own
I'll face nobody's record but mine
When I stand on that great judgement morning
I'll face nobody's record but mine

There'll be people by the millions all faceless
That great judge up there on His throne
Will not be judged by it's features
But by that great record alone.

Chorus:

What people say will not be mentioned
For God knows the intent of our hearts
You may look good in the sight of the people
But still hear Him say depart.

Chorus:

Every time that I suffered for Jesus
Every sacrifice made in His light
Every time that I've done good for evil
I'll face when I've ended this life.

Chorus:

If you're right just be patient my brother
Don't misjudge by the people down here
Where we stand on that great judgement morning
Every secret will then be made clear

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: Dreaded Thumbpick
Date: 01 Jan 05 - 02:26 PM

All three of the members of Finest Kind (Ian Robb, Ann Downey, and Shelley Posen) do beautiful work. And I admit to having sentimental favorites in Bill Destler and Tom McHenry.

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: GUEST,Pete Peterson
Date: 01 Jan 05 - 11:31 PM

Just saw this thread. Can't believe that nobody has yet mentioned (unless I missed it) the Original Carter Family. Gloux's post recommended Kay (Justice) and Ginny (Hawker) with which I agree, but you oughta hear the people they learned it from!

Also the old brother duets (Louvins, Delmores, Blue Sky Boys, Monroe Bros) and their non-sibling precursors (Karl and Harty, Mac and Bob)

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: Ferrara
Date: 01 Jan 05 - 11:53 PM

Yes to Carter Family, Louvin brothers et al!

And yes, yes to Bill Destler and Tom McHenry, add Wally McNow who was the third member of their group -- was it called Rock Creek? The dreaded Memory Failure is assailing me.