This offering features the staple of most of popular music, the human voice. We are brought back to the beginnings, particular the blues of Bessie Smith and her contemporaries. These people were at a disadvantage because they had to sing loud and yet try to maintain an emotional level that would attract audiences. When the quality microphone came into the picture, the crooner was born. Performers like Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra were able to sing softly into a mic and exude a kind of sexiness that wasn't possible before. What was most interesting to me was that most acclaimed performers throughout history have had unique voices. When we hear Sinatra or Crosby or Bowie or Stewart or Adele or Streisand, there is little chance we will make a mistake in identifying them. But it has as much to do with soul and emotion as it does with technical talent. Excellent.
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User Reviews
Review this title4 Reviews
Where was Gene Ween from the rock band Ween?
Crotchkicker28 March 2024
I have given this one star not for what was in it but for what was not. There was not one mention of the greatest human instrument ever known, i.e.) Gene Ween from the rock band Ween. Not even a brownly stained polaroid picture of him. How can a producer allow this of who is objectively the biggest recording star in history?
Except perhaps Elvis of course, every singer featured in this episode could have been replaced with Gene Ween. For example, instead of featuring Frank Sinatra, we could have watched "Frank" performed by Ween at the Brighton Bar in Long Branch, NJ 09/08/1997 and learned even more about vocal emotional regulation.
This is more than a disgrace. It's a shameful abomination to all of mankind that begs for apocalypse. Loved it. Would watch again. 10/10.
Except perhaps Elvis of course, every singer featured in this episode could have been replaced with Gene Ween. For example, instead of featuring Frank Sinatra, we could have watched "Frank" performed by Ween at the Brighton Bar in Long Branch, NJ 09/08/1997 and learned even more about vocal emotional regulation.
This is more than a disgrace. It's a shameful abomination to all of mankind that begs for apocalypse. Loved it. Would watch again. 10/10.
The weakest episode.
LnineB17 May 2018
How do you do a documentary about the voice as an instrument and leave so many great artist out? Even more importantly, how do you include minority artist so sparingly? The first 20 minutes has only one black artist, Bessie Smith. The next has a sprinkle of Aretha, and Ray Charles but then they feature black artist the most when they talk about AutoTune???? Featuring T-pain and Kanye West. Huh???????
Marvin Gaye did so much for vocals and vocal recording that wasn't mentioned at all except for 1 minute of his duet with Tammy. Al Green was featured in the promo but not the documentary. No Nat King Cole, Natalie Cole, NO WHITNEY HOUSTON or Luther Vandross. But yet they spend extra time on Christina Aguilera and Lady Gaga.
It also missed some great opportunities to talk about other greats that are not pop or rock singers. No opera, no gospel, no folk singers. I guess they don't count. I know you can't include everyone, but at minimum feature the best of the best.
Marvin Gaye did so much for vocals and vocal recording that wasn't mentioned at all except for 1 minute of his duet with Tammy. Al Green was featured in the promo but not the documentary. No Nat King Cole, Natalie Cole, NO WHITNEY HOUSTON or Luther Vandross. But yet they spend extra time on Christina Aguilera and Lady Gaga.
It also missed some great opportunities to talk about other greats that are not pop or rock singers. No opera, no gospel, no folk singers. I guess they don't count. I know you can't include everyone, but at minimum feature the best of the best.
Where Was Elvis
davidgibbs-2076824 November 2018
I have given this one star not for what was in in it but for what was not.There was not one mention of the greatest human instrument ever know ie Elvis Presley.Not even a photo of him.How can a producer allow this of the biggest selling recording star in history.A disgrace.
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