Oh GODS, yes! You *can* get away with matching consonants if you're psychic or family, just about the only time. Bruce and I can for the first reason and well, we are family. Plus my mother taught me how to blend with anybody, to the point that I thought I couldn't sing lead, but that's ok.
There is absolutely NO excuse for sloppy harmony or blend. That's one thing we are death on. Our harmonies are our strong-point and blend is always something we strive for. Whoever sings lead on a particular song stands in the center and gets to call style and arrangement, for the most part.
It leads to some funny do-ce-do's on stage but the blend is just that important. Our biggest problem is that Bruce's guitar is FRIKKIN' loud and sometimes it's hard to hear each other over it; something we constantly are aware of. But it's the selection of songs that works for each venue and audience that determines what you can do with a song. And singing outside offers peculiar challenges, true, but only it's bullshit if that's used as an excuse for sloppy musicianship.
I've heard waaaay too many bands guilty of exactly what you're talking about and believe me, if anyone hears us doing it, please, PLEASE take us aside and tell us.
You're gonna get nothing but agreement on these issues from me! That's why we love the Cup and Chaucer venue at KCRF - it's small but gods, the sound in there! We can do either "Foggy Dew" or "KilKelly" or "Irish Lullabye" and hear every nuance. Wish we could pack that place when we're there, but nobody knows about it *yet*!
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2005-03-04 23:21 (UTC)There is absolutely NO excuse for sloppy harmony or blend. That's one thing we are death on. Our harmonies are our strong-point and blend is always something we strive for. Whoever sings lead on a particular song stands in the center and gets to call style and arrangement, for the most part.
It leads to some funny do-ce-do's on stage but the blend is just that important. Our biggest problem is that Bruce's guitar is FRIKKIN' loud and sometimes it's hard to hear each other over it; something we constantly are aware of. But it's the selection of songs that works for each venue and audience that determines what you can do with a song. And singing outside offers peculiar challenges, true, but only it's bullshit if that's used as an excuse for sloppy musicianship.
I've heard waaaay too many bands guilty of exactly what you're talking about and believe me, if anyone hears us doing it, please, PLEASE take us aside and tell us.
You're gonna get nothing but agreement on these issues from me! That's why we love the Cup and Chaucer venue at KCRF - it's small but gods, the sound in there! We can do either "Foggy Dew" or "KilKelly" or "Irish Lullabye" and hear every nuance. Wish we could pack that place when we're there, but nobody knows about it *yet*!