Wicked Vocals

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/16/04 at 1:57pm

I've gotten used to the Wicked CD and there are definitely songs that I am fond of, but there are two distinct vocal moments that drive me absolutely insane. And sorry to burst some mean-spirited bubbles, but no, one of them is not Kristin's voice for those who wish to use this as an anti-Kristin thread, which it isn't.

First is in No One Mourns the Wicked when one of the ensemble growls "No one CRIES they won't return." with that gutteral raspy phlegmy sound that is supposed to sound vicious. Every time I hear that, I have to clear my throat. It's just horrible.

Second is the end of Defying Gravity. I love the song and Idina controls her voice on the recording very well. I have not seen the show, but I have heard several different live recordings and she always sings that last bit "OOOHHH-WAAAAAHH-AAAAHHH-UUHHH" so out of control and off-pitch, it sounds like a petulant child being told they can't have Lucky Charms for breakfast (and I know how Jarico likes Lucky Charms). I've only heard it done well on the actual CD. Does she usually sing it so out-of-control?

Posted: 3/16/04 at 2:03pm

I was getting all excited.. I thought that I was going to read about Accompany Tracks available now... like from Colony records or something.

[citylights]

Posted: 3/16/04 at 2:19pm

I'll add another- right after "Everyone deserves a chance to fly" Idina makes this loud gasp! noise like she's trying to get a breath between phrases. (I also sing, and I know sometimes you run out of air, but you're not supposed to hear that on the cast recording!) Every time I hear it I sort of wince...

[robyn525600]

Posted: 3/16/04 at 3:25pm

The two times I have seen it, she sang it on pitch and I have seen a video boot of it as well and she sang on pitch.

[showstopper]

Posted: 3/16/04 at 3:34pm

I saw wicked and I couldn't figure out where this noise was coming from but then someone next to me said it was Idina gasping. It is very distracting, it's not just a breathing in sound but a loud almost throaty noise. She's wonderful though, I'd go see it again. Maybe she was sick when I went. I listened to the cd and you can't really hear it on that but they could have removed it.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/16/04 at 3:52pm

I heard that "gasping" sound from Idina when I watched the Broadway on Broadway TV broadcast. I can't remember if she did it when I saw the show, and I don't think I've heard it on the cast recording, but I heard a bootleg cd and she definitely did it there. My friend and I were talking about this once - she breathes in some awkward places, and not very often at all... but whatever it takes to belt like that!

[LadyGuenevere]

Posted: 3/16/04 at 3:59pm

I've heard several live versions where the breathing (Idina's breathing technique) is insane. Don't get me wrong, her voice is amazing- she could just find better places to breathe. And sometimes, it's pure screaming, not singing at all.

[wickedfan]

Posted: 3/16/04 at 4:07pm

I think that Idina's only awkward breathing is after "..deserves the chane to fly!" that was awkward, not because of the place but how loud she took it. I think what she does is give it her all in that last verse, which is great but I'd rather her hold some back so when she sings "Tell them how I am Defying Gravity!" she can really blow us away. Also in "Wizard and I" she takes a big breath, you can't hear it but it is so obvious right after she sings "..celebration throughout Oz (breath) that's all to do (breath)." it's not the last breath but the first one there that kind of bothers me, but hey like Emcee said, "whatever it takes to belt like that.

[newyorkuniq]

Posted: 3/16/04 at 4:35pm

aww now you ruined the cd for me...j/k but I had never noticed this before untill I listened for it, and your right it is really obvious in alot of her songs. LOL

[NYCbabe3789]

Posted: 3/16/04 at 5:33pm

I think that the breath is something that should have been taken out on the CD, and I don't blame Idina for that one but whoever edited the CD.

Also, I have seen the show many, many, MANY times, and I have NEVER heard Idina do that breath in a live performance-only on the CD.

Posted: 3/16/04 at 7:34pm

i think the gasp is effective, showing her enthusiasm for the triumphant moments, especially as elphaba the soon to e wicked witch of the west!

[NYCbabe3789]

Posted: 3/16/04 at 8:30pm

I agree with robactor as well!

[tappedout]

Posted: 3/16/04 at 9:27pm

I agree robactorguy, I really like the breathing!!!!

[robyn525600]

Posted: 3/16/04 at 9:33pm

Robertactorguy:

I agree - its a character choice (she doesn't do that one her other recordings) and its a great dramatic effect. She is not being Idina, she is being Elphaba . . .

Posted: 3/17/04 at 1:23am

exactly, i love the gasp during, "The Wizard (gasp) and IIIIIIIIIIIIIII!" it's so dramatic and for a moment we are experiencing Elphaba's excitement and energy, I love it!

and no idina doesn't do it on any other cds, she REALLY does it on most all of the songs on wicked, i love it!!

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 3/17/04 at 8:53am

I'm not sure how I feel about this particular instance of breath being heard - (mostly because I am not a fan of the music in discussion)..BUT, my acting/Musical theatre teacher always insists on hearing the breath - he feels there's an excitement to hearing someone fill up with air - it means something wonderful is on its way...
Just my two cents!

[nystateomind04]

Posted: 3/17/04 at 8:55am

i thought i was the only one who noticed that when i saw the show, she was gasping between verses, or lines of the song or whatever. i dont know if it was for dramatic effect or not, but im not sure i like it.
and i have to say that idina did not end defying gravity quite like she did on the cd, when i saw the show either, it was still fantastic, but there were very brief moments when i could hear the struggle. but she is so great, and i was still on my feet applauding after the song, so apparently it doesnt matter if her vocals arent perfect, considering how difficult they are, because in the long run, she always pulls it off.

[wickedboy]

Posted: 3/18/04 at 12:22am

ok maybe I'm weird, but the part on the cd that makes me laugh is toward the end, the witchhunter's song and some woman screams "Kill the Witch."
just makes me chuckle...the voracity of her yelling.

[newyorkuniq]

Posted: 3/18/04 at 12:33am

I hate that!!! I hate the "kill the witch" and the "no one cries" in the begining soooo annoying. Like some version of Beauty and The Beast on crack.

[JaiMonster]

Posted: 3/18/04 at 3:31am

I love Idina and her gasping on the Wicked CD. The one everyone is talking about during Defying Gravity is so intense. My friend said to me, before he saw the show, "that gasp is why she should win the tony!" And I think her intensity and passion (or excitment) leads to these wonderful gasps that it seems most of us love!

One thing I did notice about Idina's voice recently, and I think people have talked about this before, but she does weird things with her tounge when she sings which creates unique vowel sounds. ("Tell them hoooowwwwaaaahhh'mmm defying gravity" and the last wizard and I.... she also does it in the wild party) Personally I love it.
Idina rocks!

Jai

[Broadwaylilhead]

Posted: 3/18/04 at 12:11pm

The BL's I have of the show on cd and video are excellent performances and Idina is in top form. Its interesting to go back and listen to the BL from SanFran to hear the changes and subtle re-orchestrations.

[nyb418]

Posted: 3/19/04 at 12:27am

Hi, Broadwaylilhead... I sent you a PM.. please read.. Thanks, nyb

[TheGirlinTheFrock]

Posted: 3/19/04 at 11:36am

the "no one CRIES" annoys me too!!

ok about the Gasps .. lol

When i saw it in December she was gasping like crazy through all of The Wizard and I .. and i loved it!! it added so much to the song. Some people are picky about hearing people take breaths on CDs, I love it. Anthony Rapp does it in The Tango Maureen on the RENT CD and its one of my favorite parts .. but thats only IMO

[ckeaton]

Posted: 3/19/04 at 2:47pm

I just got the CD last night, and I've been listening to it all day today... Now I'm hunting through it, looking for something, I'm noticing it... but come on people... it's not like a pneumatic wheeze.

UPDATE:
OK, so 'Defying Gravity' "the chance to fly" gasp isn't the prettiest thing on the CD, but she's rocking that song... it's f'ing thrilling... That track makes me happy..

Updated On: 3/19/04 at 02:47 PM

[Broadwaylilhead]

Posted: 3/19/04 at 3:41pm

I especially LOVE the drums "bum bum bum bum" right before she wails on "So if you care to find me..."