Do foreign vocalists ruin your prog experience?

Well first of all, I didn't intend on offending anyone with the topic of this thread. I've got absolutely nothing against non english speaking (or singing) people.
But if I dont like non english vocals in my music that is my right personal taste and cannot be argued with nor does that make me some kind of "ugly American" or a closed minded person because I only speak one language and prefer to hear music in that language.

The prog I grew up with in the 70's was sung all in english and not only does it sound better to me but I actually do place an importance on the lyrics and want to know what is being sung about.

Those of you posting here from other non english speaking countries have it nice. You can understand english vocals as well as those in your native tongue. Most of us Americans cannot speak French, German or Italian.

profanatio wrote: Well first of all, I didn't intend on offending anyone with the topic of this thread. I've got absolutely nothing against non english speaking (or singing) people. But if I dont like non english vocals in my music that is my right personal taste and cannot be argued with nor does that make me some kind of "ugly American" or a closed minded person because I only speak one language and prefer to hear music in that language. The prog I grew up with in the 70's was sung all in english and not only does it sound better to me but I actually do place an importance on the lyrics and want to know what is being sung about. Those of you posting here from other non english speaking countries have it nice. You can understand english vocals as well as those in your native tongue. Most of us Americans cannot speak French, German or Italian.

OK, your first post wasn't really offensive, just a little silly and kind of badly worded. THIS post is offensive. Did you ever consider that the people here from non-English countries maybe had to work hard to learn another language, and that we Americans are lazy (the best I can do is stumble through a conversation in French)? Also, there is no need to get defensive because people don't agree with you. You DO come off as close minded when you say you can't listen to "foreign" singers (or women, still trying to figure that one out). And how is a German better equipped to listen to Italian prog, or vice-versa?

tszirmay wrote: While English is definitely the preferred form for Rock , the main point of prog is to be open-minded.

The main point of prog is to be a musical genre. I think there are quite a lot of open-minded music fans who hate prog.

Only Thijs Van Leer....

Posted By: Easy Livin

We should take the question at face value here, and not get tied down in politics


THANK YOU!! I meant no offense and am not being critical or judgmentel of anyone in any way. Maybe I worded it wrong but you certainly could read between the lines to know what I was getting at in my original post. ES335, you seem intent on being offended by anything I say even when I'm trying to clarify my postion. What can I say?      If all of King Crimson and ELP's songs were sung in another language it would drop my listening expereince down a notch or two because I like to know whats being sung about. As far as women go, they can sing whatever they please. I prefer (prefer being the operative word) my prog music to be sung by male singers. I'll assume that most guys feel the same way since prog (especially the more complex and dark) does seem to be a mans territory. Am I being politically incorrect? Sorry!   I'll end by saying that I am aware that there are prog bands out there with female singers and I'm quite sure some of them are very good. I just prefer a man to do the singing.

i prefer foreign vocalists because almost every lyric writer in the world sucks

that

and

I prefer cute japanese voices in particular

To all those who only want to listen to English: When you listen to vocals in other languages, don't you hear the music?



Yes but a band spends just as much time or at least A LOT of time working on lyrics in order to make that particular piece of music complete. Should the piece not be appreciated for that? Why would bands like ELP and Crimson have hired Pete Sinfield to write lyrics for them if the lyrical content was not important in conveying the message of the song? Lyrics conjure imagery. Very important in prog music! Otherwise why not just sing Dee dee doo doo dah dah dee throughout the songs since its just the music thats important?

Easy livin says..

sure it is your preference to prefer male singing... but when you edge into the shades of 'man's territory' vs. 'a woman's place' It will be the peference of others to a) tear you a new one.. b) lose respect for you. Or both. It won't be me but can't speak for others.

You got off to a good start here.... whether you care or not to keep that ... is up to you.


Ok, first off all I said nothing about "A womans place".
The statement that I did make is based upon not only my own feeling but what has been conveyed to me by many female friends over the years that know my preference for prog. Over the years they have all said the same thing.. "Oh that stuff is just for guys" or " Stop trying to get me in to your music!! Chicks dont like that kind of music" and many other variations on those themes.

My apologies to any females here who may have been tweaked by my remark. But now ask your self.. would you prefer that the vocals to all of your favorite prog CD's be wiped out and replaced by female vocalists?

Ah, back in anti-spam zone. Foreign vocals can be good. Harmonium makes it work very well. If it's too heavily accented then it's kind of annoying. Banco gets kind of like that sometimes.

profanatio wrote: would you prefer that the vocals to all of your favorite prog CD's be wiped out and replaced by female vocalists?

Of course not. However, that's not a valid point because I don't want my CDs wiped and replaced with any vocalists, male or female. You attribute the band with that singer, so you identify the lyrics with that voice. Even when vocalists change, they bring a new sound to older material when played live. Rarely, it sounds as good as the OG version and it sounds better even less.