Interactive Poll: Emotional songs (female singer)

Kees:  Barbara  Parvi “Voila” Very pretty voice here, too.  The perfect lyrics for one of these competition shows.  Orchestra with a theatrical French singer, very appealing in a dramatic sort of way.  It goes double-time near the end and ends abruptly.

Mirakaze:  Floating Room “Dog”  Right into a slippy-slidy guitar, drums and vocal with lots of echo.  This is a happy one, someone just giddy with a relationship.  Her voice just bubbles over with elation, and the music exudes this as well.  A joy to be that happy when things work out right.  Lush “Monochrome”  This has another sort of happy feeling to it, there’s almost a dream-like sense to it, or a personal reflection.  Very layered recording, also gives me a feeling of psychedelia, but like a young girl rather than a more matured one, sort of psych-pop, if you will, because of the lightness of feel.  Both excellent to consider. 

Mike:  Will enjoy the chance to hear some prog that you enjoy!  Charming Hostess “Dying Bed”  Oh, interesting, not what I expected at all, reminds me of Lone Justice a bit.  Kind of a rockabilly/bluesy feel to it.    Great wrangly lead in the middle.  Song rolls right along.  Next up from them is “Laws of Physics”  As you said, completely different than the first.  This has some really pretty three-part harmonies.  A cello?  Or?  Not sure.  There is a repeating guitar line, then the whole band starts in, sounds now like violin, and the vocals become very discordant.  It becomes more and more disjointed, and discordant.  Seems like they would be fascinating as a live act.  What fun.  Anathema “Better Off Dead”  I’ve heard this band played on some of the shows here and there, and always enjoy what I hear.  A bit of a dirge (fittingly), piano and intertwined male and female vocals, with the female being featured by herself, as well.  Heartbreaking sound to her voice, in a good way.  Pretty string section (or perhaps synth strings).  Obviously, a good-bye song, and good riddance, I say, sounds like too much work, lol.  Archive “The Pain Gets Worse”  What a pretty, pretty voice.  Accompanied by lush piano and flute, and orchestral involvement as well, as the piece swells.  Harmonies, as advertised are awesome. 

Lewian:  Broadcast “You Can Fall”  Discordant sounds at the start, bells and whongs, clangs.  A steady rhythm builds and VERY EERIE keyboard comes in, dang, I love that.  Wow, I can’t even describe what happens when the vocals come in, and the music underpins it.  Her harmonies with herself are amazing.  Very dark, menacing piece, but one I find truly the most striking so far.  Chills here, too.  Good ones.  Rainbirds “Two Faces”  Keyboards begin the piece.  Very quavery lead vocal, I can see why this was so big in the 80’s.  I like this one, too, but that first one got to me the most.  Bjork “Joga”  Again, haven’t really listened much to her, so even if it’s out of competition, do want to give it a good listen.  Live setting, with orchestra in the pit.  Very emotional song, she is very theatrical and it is truly a very moving and also theatrical performance.  Brava!

George:  Bent Knee “Being Human”  This is a band that I like to watch much more than listen to.  Lots of people who I usually am in accord with, in taste, just love this band.  I absolutely get it, looking at live performances.  That being said, let’s see how this one goes.  I love the opening, lol.  Just fantastic live, as I expected.  I really love her voice, I don’t know why this doesn’t translate for me in recorded mode, or hasn’t with what I’ve heard.  Definitely tons of emotion and plenty of fire from the band also.  She’s got very riveting stage presence, also. So, yeah, I like this one a lot.   I remember really liking your next selection, from before. Angelica Garcia “Loretta Lynn” Promising beginning with spare electric guitar and her very soulful voice…she does do a teeny bit of the pouty baby affectation vocal thing, but not enough to make me not like her, especially since she plays electric guitar (don’t ask me why, but this would bother me more if she had an acoustic guitar or a ukulele).  This continues in a very spare way, which is perfect for her gritty lyrics and vocals.  I like her in this one, too.  Bonnie Raitt & Was (Not Was) “Baby Mine”  As you might remember, I’m already a fan of Was (Not Was) and Bonnie hasn’t been brought to the polls before, so really nice to see her here.  She’s got such a great, smooth voice, just a classic performer.  And of course, a fine slide guitarist.  The male voices in the chorus are just perfect to back her.  This is really nice treatment of this song, also, not a surprise with Was (Not Was) involved, done with just enough restraint, the song is the thing here and so well done. 

Cristi:  Pussycat “Another Day”  Picked guitar starts the piece, with orchestral swell behind after the first few notes.  Lots of echo behind a very rich female vocal.  Electric guitar, drums and bass follow next.  There is a layered female chorus as well, as the song builds.  Well produced also.  Doro “White Shade of Pale”  Well, one of my favourite songs of all time here.  Let’s see what this lady does with it.  I think it’s going to get a rockier arrangement from the flames.  Powerful rock treatment of the song with lots of flair and emphasis from everyone. Guitar solo takes the place of the organ lead before the final reprise of the chorus and another lead before the final fade.   Dida Drăgan S”ă nu lovim nicicînd un porumbel”  Here is an almost Edith Piaf sort of song, but with richer orchestration.  It is very dramatic and theatrical and the woman has a wonderful vocal range and tone.  Atlantis “Maybe It’s Useless”  Organ sound and piano flourishes start this piece.  Light percussion.  Soulful, bluesy vocalist with a bit of grit in her voice.  Very classic sound to her, surprised they didn’t have more success in their time.  Nice production, great ballad, with full-on vocal chorus as the song builds to it’s main crescendo.  This is probably my favourite of yours here.