[Vocal profile] Chris Colfer AKA Kurt From Glee

Chris Colfer

Vocal Type: Lyric Countertenor
Vocal Range:3.1 octaves A2-Bb5
Whistle Register: No
Vocal Pluses: An unusually high voice for a man, Colfer has an outstanding capability for production of notes in a way that is both light and powerful, giving him a very identifiable voice that can be sweet and lyric, as well as powerful and piercing.

The lower register (below D3) is hardly ever used, but is actually quite powerful for his voice type [Give Up the Funk]. Though it sounds as though the larynx may have been lowered slightly to enhance the sound, the technique used to reach his absolute lows is otherwise perfect.

The chest register, when unconnected to the head voice, can be powerful and capable, having an extremely punchy, belty sound [Rose's Turn]. Otherwise, when the sound is more often than not mixed with the head voice, the sound can either be light and sweet [Defying Gravity], or can have an extremely focused, edgy sound [Le Jazz Hot].

The head voice is the defining feature of Colfer's voice, and the clearest aspect of the individual sound he has. The lower head voice has a covered and cloudy sound that eventually gives way at around D5 to an immensely clear and piercing high head voice, up to Bb5.

Overall, all of the registers of his voice overlap consistently, so while the tone may not be identical from bottom to top, it is all produced in a healthy manner, and is extremely well-mixed with a head-dominant sound. The registers are easily connected, and can be demonstrated best in the final vocal slide from F#3 to F#5 in [Le Jazz Hot].

Vocal Negatives:The voice's sound can get a little too piercing at times. Also, sometimes, the mixing is done unevenly, with a head voice that is almost too flute-like to be used viably, belying problems with using a fuller, rounder support. This was more so a problem in earlier seasons of 'Glee', and has all but vanished starting mid-season 2.

[Watch] Lion Babe - "Treat Me Like Fire"

Looks like Vanessa Williams' daughter has caught the vocal bug too. No, not laryngitis you cowbell! A passion for singing!

Whereas her mother enjoyed most of her biggest success in the Adult Contemporary field- with songs like "Save the Best For Last" and "Colours Of The Wind"- daughter, Jillian Hervey, has taken a contemporary, neo-soul approach to her own sound.

[Watch] Demi Lovato Covers Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas"

"All I Want For Christmas" is a Mariah Carey song, and thus, despite her making it sound as easy to sing as it is for me to overindulge during the festive season, it's actually not. Case in point, Ms Demi Lovato and her rendition of the song at the 31st Annual "Christmas In Washington" concert.

Having heard Demi sing live a number of times, I was actually looking forward to her take on this Holiday classic. She doesn't have the subtlest voice, being prone to, lets just say, "over projecting" at times, but I honestly thought this was a song she would handle well. However,I think Demi's nerves, and the resulting lack of control over her voice, got the better of her.

[Watch] Was LeAnn Rimes intoxicated On X-Factor USA?

Can anybody tell me what was going on with LeAnn Rimes during her performance at X-Factor USA, because to me she looked (and sounded) drunk as hell!

Joining contestant Carly Rose Sonenclar on stage for a duet of her MASSIVE hit How Do I Live, the country-pop star messed up the lyrics, played (badly) with the medley, and made herself look anything but the seasoned veteran she is.

Poor Carly Rose, it must have been hard to stay in tune when LeAnn was changing the key with every other beat of the song. I can only imagine how resentful her parents the 13-year-old(!) is feeling after missing out on winning the series. Though, to be fair, she didn't sound like the strongest singer- if the pre-LeAnn vocals were anything to go on.

[Probably Never Heard] Christmas Songs

Are you tired of hearing the same Christmas songs every year on the radio? Well if you are (actually even if you're not), here are two songs that are sure to bring some variety to your Yuletide playlist ! Suggested by regular reader "Opie", these two little gems offer a different kind of Christmas record. So don't expect any jingling bells, choir of Children, or overt festivity, because there ain't any to be found here!

[Free Music] JoJo "AGÁPĒ" Mixtape

Suffering from problems at her label, Blackground Records, JoJo has had a hard time getting her music career to the level where it should be eight years after she first hit the scene with "Leave (Get Out)" .

With her third album now pushed back to a vague date in 2013, the plucky singer-songwriter has ignored the problems with her label, and instead taken the route of many an artist this year by releasing a free mixtape to satisfy fans and her own artistry.

[Watch] 2012 Vh1 Divas Donna Summer Tribute

Disco legend Donna Summers was remembered at the 2012 VH1 Divas Live concert with a medley of her greatest hits. Having the honour of performing said classics fell to Divas Kelly Rowland, Keri Hilson and -honorary diva- Adam Lambert.

The tribute was opened by Destiny's Child alumni Kelly Rowland, and though she may have been present and accounted for during "Bad Girls", her voice certainly was not. I've never heard her sound this bad. Her runs were off, she was out of time in places, and her voice was missing the power and the flexibility that she demonstrated during her Mariah Carey tribute back in February [here]. I have no idea what was going on here, but when Keri Hilson sounds better than you, you've got a problem.