Best harmony singers

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: 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: 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: 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: GUEST
Date: 27 Dec 04 - 04:47 AM

refresh

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: 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: 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: 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: 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 - 06:11 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: 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,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: 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,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: 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,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: Peace
Date: 23 Dec 04 - 07:48 AM

The Double Six of Paris.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Once Famous
Date: 22 Dec 04 - 02:14 PM

Aha! Now I understand the PoppaGator thing!

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: Fliss
Date: 22 Dec 04 - 09:01 AM

Im very fond of the close harmony of Cuckoo Oak. I know festival goers in the UK will have heard them at some point over the past 25+ years. Pat, Dawn, Mike and Pete have songs from lots of eras and backgrounds.

I was at the Ludlow session last friday with Dawn and Pat and his 2 sisters. The harmonies were ace.

cheers
fliss

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: belfast
Date: 22 Dec 04 - 08:35 AM

The Voice Squad. No longer extant unfortunately.

Martin Carthy singing with himself on "The Song of the Lower Classes" is one of the greatest harmony groups I have ever heard.

Some early recordings of the McPeake Family.

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: GLoux
Date: 22 Dec 04 - 08:19 AM

Here are a couple of my favorites that haven't been mentioned yet:

Ginny Hawker and Kay Justice

Alton and Rabon Delmore

-Greg

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: GUEST,Sam Hudson
Date: 22 Dec 04 - 08:09 AM

Several mentions of Emmylou remind me of her with Mary Black and Dolores Keane singing 'Sonny's Dream' - quite beautiful. I'd also register a vote for Grace Notes.

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: jimmyt
Date: 21 Dec 04 - 10:44 PM

as per pure harmony and lush chord progressions with sweet voicings, although many of the groups already mentioned are way up there, the Four Freshman being my favorites, if you get a chance listen to the groups, BEachfront Property, an absolute lush group, as well as the 60s studio only group SIngers Unlimited. I just bought the box set of their music and after forty years it is still unmatched.

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 21 Dec 04 - 10:06 PM

Another vote for Ralph & Carter. Emmylou is magical singing lead or harmony. Surprised that The Band hasn't been mentioned, especially Helm and Danko.

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: GUEST,Champagne Carol's SS
Date: 21 Dec 04 - 09:59 PM

Fayssoux Starling..she graces some of Emmylou Harris' most lovely cuts.

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: GUEST,Melani
Date: 21 Dec 04 - 09:15 PM

Just a couple of weeks ago, I was blown away once again by Dick Holdstock and Allan MacLeod, especially Dick's high harmonies. 30-odd years together and still totally fantastic!

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: GUEST,Chris
Date: 21 Dec 04 - 08:27 PM

I love harmony. One of the things I'm most thankful for is that I have the knack. It's not a matter of working it out: it's just there. Many of you know what I mean.

Fortunate indeed, since I'd never get a gig with my lead voice...

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: Metchosin
Date: 21 Dec 04 - 11:43 AM

The Blind Boys of Alabama don't suck either.

Subject: Best harmony singers
From: GUEST,Jack
Date: 21 Dec 04 - 11:37 AM

Local D/FW duet called the Harmonic Balancers, they sing down in Stephenville, Texas as well as Johnnie Highs Country Music Revue(I think)I am not sure where else they sing, but those girls could harmonize like nothing I have seen before, and they sometimes trade off lead/harmony. Just AWESOME!

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: Once Famous
Date: 21 Dec 04 - 10:52 AM

Enjoying the many responses.

Thanks.

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: breezy
Date: 21 Dec 04 - 09:41 AM

George Papavgeris is very good at singing harmony as are Cloudstreet from Brisbane Oz way.

C B S and may I mention The Voice Squad

Herga Kitty Vernon aint bad either

Are we not spoiled or what

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: Vixen
Date: 21 Dec 04 - 09:27 AM

Sharon Mountain reminds me...

New Golden Ring--another goosebump ensemble not yet mentioned...

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: Essex Girl
Date: 21 Dec 04 - 09:17 AM

Dave Webber & Annie Fentiman (OK The remains of English Tapestry), Cockersdale and Magpie Lane, must be added to the list.

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 21 Dec 04 - 08:49 AM

The McGarrigyle sisters.

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: ConcertinaChap
Date: 21 Dec 04 - 08:46 AM

Surprised no-one has mentioned Sharon Mountain Harmony. Lucy Simpson was the source for several well-known songs like Time Has Made a Change in Me, and the quality of ensemble singing is staggering.

Chris

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: GUEST,James
Date: 21 Dec 04 - 08:38 AM

Kate and Anna McGarrigle, The Everly Brothers. Emmy Lou Harris, with anyone

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: rumanci
Date: 21 Dec 04 - 08:35 AM

English Tapestry were the best .........once upon a time

Subject: RE: Best harmony singers
From: Peace
Date: 21 Dec 04 - 08:31 AM

Dixie Chicks.