Showing posts with label etta james. Show all posts
Showing posts with label etta james. Show all posts

Sunday 6 January 2013

[Vocal Profile] Etta James


Vocal Type:Contralto
Vocal Range:3 octaves 1 note and a semitone G#2-B5
Whistle Register:No
Vocal Pluses: Fiery, earthy voice that though known for its gritty growl, was in fact a versatile and multifaceted instrument.

With a solid, thick and comfortable low and midrange, it was possible for Etta James to manipulate the tone and timbre in these registers to suit a variety of styles and genres. She could make it soft and soulful [ Misty Blue], fierce and sassy [Something's Got a Hold of Me] or create a timbre that entirely omitted its trademark growl [I Sing The Blues].

The coarse tone, and the grunts and growls were usually associated with the singer's belting range, and they're often what is most remembered about Etta James' voice. These vocal traits were noted for their power, rawness and ability to convey emotion. However, being a versatile singer, it was also possible for Etta to produce a clearer, smoother tone in her belting range by mixing with her head voice [At Last].

Etta James was an emotive, honest and smart singer that could turn her voice to any number of genres. Her voice was dexterous enough to sing melisma, and  had the power to hold notes, but her real strength lay in her ability to interpret the music she was singing: expertly varying her tone, timbre, and delivery accordingly.

Vocal Negatives:Questionable technique used to achieve trademark grunts and growls.

Saturday 28 January 2012

Christina Aguilera Sings "At Last" At Etta James' Remembrance Service

 Christiana Aguilera etta james funeral

At the City of Refuge church in Gardena, California, a remembrance service was held for Grammy award winner Etta James who died on the 20th of January. Christina Aguilera took to the stage, at the request of Etta James' family, to pay homage to the singer. Before her performance of the classic At last, one which garnered a standing ovation from the congregation, the singer said these few words about her vocal hero, Etta James;
"Out of all the singers that I’ve ever heard, she was the one that cut right to my soul and spoke to me".
Rip Etta james.

Thursday 26 January 2012

Singer Duffy Pays Tribute To Etta James



With just a piano and her unique voice, Welsh Soul Singer Duffy gave a touching, live rendition of Etta James' Trust in me via her Twitter account today in tribute to the singer's passing. The song was a beautiful choice, and matched Duffy's raspy tone perfectly.

This is one singer who always astonishes more live than on record, an odd thing in today's musical landscape.

Friday 20 January 2012

Etta James Passes Away and The Stars Pay Tribute



Singing Soul Legend Etta James has died at the age of 73 after losing her battle with leukaemia. From past singers like Janis Joplin and Tina Turner, to modern day Diva's like Beyonce and Christina Aguilera, Etta James' stunning voice has continued to influence since her debut in 1954.