irritating voices- Page 3

[Plum]

Posted: 7/12/04 at 7:50pm

I knew I would catch some flak for criticizing McDonald, but read my post again- at no point did I criticize her technique. In fact, I complimented it. But all the technique in the world does not make that intangible (and highly subjective) something called beauty. In my (unpopular) opinion, Audra McDonald's voice isn't beautiful. In large doses (like the Seven Sins concert), I tend to tune her out.

I like her speaking voice, and her lower range is quite nice sometimes, but her mid to upper range does nothing for me. Updated On: 7/12/04 at 07:50 PM

[~FloweryFriend~]

Posted: 7/12/04 at 7:53pm

I second Patti LuPone.

[BWAYROCKS]

Posted: 7/12/04 at 7:56pm

Kristin Chenoweth- never enjoyed her singing...not as Sally Brown, Glinda, or herself Sorry...just not my cup 'o tea!

Molly Ephraim- I still don't see how this girl booked TWO Broadway musicals...ugh!

Kate Reinders- I only saw her as June, to be fair...maybe it was just the voice she used as the character, but I didn't enjoy it! Jenna Gavigan was greeeeeat, though!

[Roscoe]

Posted: 7/12/04 at 7:57pm

No one can quite approach Mandy "Castrato" Patinkin for sheer irritation. He has a voice that can shatter glass. It sounds like millions of fingers on millions of blackboards. Ghastly braying.

The only voice that comes close is Betty Buckley's. Totally devoid of warmth or humanity, it sounds like a cheap power drill. Shrill shrieking horror.

[Poppy]

Posted: 7/12/04 at 8:13pm

Mandy Patinkin the only guy you can think of? How about Michael Crawford? Do you really think he was capable of hitting and holding those high notes in DOTV without some outside help? Those in the business know what I mean...

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 7/12/04 at 8:14pm

Michael Crawford - talk about an insipid sound

Christine Andreas - vibrato from hell

Idina Menzel - on the Rent recording (I refuse to listen to Wicked)

Sarah Brightman

Updated On: 7/12/04 at 08:14 PM

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 7/12/04 at 8:17pm

Oh I second BOTH Mandy and Michael - actually, I don't think Mandy's voice is bad - I just think no one loves it as much as he does, and that's what's hateful about it. And a lot of people can't take Betty's voice...you should hear it when it's actually yelling at you. Talk about SHRILL.

Updated On: 7/12/04 at 08:17 PM

[BernieG]

Posted: 7/12/04 at 8:21pm

Michael Crawford...how could I have forgotten him? The first time I heard his recording of The Music of the Night I wanted to shoot myself. And I have to add Yvonne Ellimen (sp?) When I first heard her version of I Don't Know How To Love Him I thought hoedown!

[MusicPos2]

Posted: 7/12/04 at 8:25pm

Don't judge Idina by Rent! Her voice has grown tremendously. Even at her worse, she's better than she was on that recording. The Wicked recording doesn't even do her justice. The best is to see her late in the week in the show, when she's been doing it for awhile, and when she's well. In fact, one of the parents of my students came up to me after the concert (they had sung "Popular" and "For Good") and told me that Idina was their cousin. I was telling them about the growth in her voice from Nov to May, and she figured I was talking about Rent, since there was SOOOOOOOOOO MUCH difference. Updated On: 7/12/04 at 08:25 PM

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 7/12/04 at 8:28pm

Hmm...perhaps Wicked should offer discounts early in the week then.

[Mamie]

Posted: 7/12/04 at 8:29pm

There's a lot I would probably not cross a street for - but I just can't stand to listen to Charlotte Church for even 2 minutes. I wish somebody would either teach her to sing or get her to shut up.

I'm glad I'm not the only one on here saying this. Every time I've even hinted at not liking her voice I've thought I was going to be arrested.

[JoizeyActor]

Posted: 7/12/04 at 8:31pm

Raul Esparza's voice on the Rocky Horror cast recording annoys me to no end. I can't stand listening to the Time Warp because his voice is so irritating. Ahhhhh!

[MusicPos2]

Posted: 7/12/04 at 8:32pm

Lol, that one is from Idina herself as to early in the week. In an interview, she said she always feels at her worst when she's had a break, even if it's on a Tues b/c the show is dark on Monday. From the times I've seen the show (once a Tues--she was good but not great, once on a Wed evening--the most amazing thing ever!, and when she came back from filming--she was terrible), she is completely right about her voice. I'm hoping that since 8/15 is a Sunday, she'll be really great again. I can't wait to see Jennifer Laura Thompson, but I'm going to miss Kristin. For those of you that don't like her, maybe she'll come out with an opera CD, she won't have any of those issues on there. I think she could be the next great opera singer.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 7/12/04 at 8:38pm

Most people keep their voices in shape, a break (especially of two days!!) shouldn't affect it noticeably. I just find it "irritating" that she knows the problem and doesn't work on it - she's using that voice to make a living. The people that pay to hear it should be hearing it at its best all the time (unless she's legitimately ill).

[MusicPos2]

Posted: 7/12/04 at 8:42pm

This is my problem with Idina. I think partially, she's too self-critical, but I do think you're right. And no it's not ok if they're legitimately ill (that's the worst), if you know you're sick, that's what understudies/stanbys are for. It's when someone is just having a bad night that you have to forgive. Part of being on Broadway is knowing when you need to rest. I'm not saying that people shouldn't go on if they have a little sniffle, but if their throat is sore, they really aren't helping anyone.

[Plum]

Posted: 7/12/04 at 8:49pm

Okay, so you're saying I can't judge Menzel by her early work in Rent, but I can't judge her by her latest work in the Wicked album, either? That instead I should roll the dice and hope that she isn't scratchy and hoarse on the day I see her live?

Nuh-uh. That's unacceptable. If she's so great and she's been in this business for years, she should have some kind of consistency.

[tennis85]

Posted: 7/12/04 at 8:49pm

I kinda liked Becky's voice in Secret Garden. BTW, what's Daisy Eagan up to these days?

[MusicPos2]

Posted: 7/12/04 at 8:51pm

You should listen to the CD. It's still really great, just not her best, and Kristin is amazing on the CD. From what I understand, I've just been unlucky with Idina's voice in the show. She is less consistant than I would like, but you really should see the show. See like a Wed or Sat evening, and you'll be good.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 7/12/04 at 8:51pm

My mom cannot STAND Harvey's voice. I mean, I think it goes great with his Edna character.

About Sarah Brightman, from a non-singer's point of view, I think her voice is very pretty, but that is on the POTO CD and some song she did with Andrew Bocelli. As for her own CDs, I cannot review those because I haven't listened to them and don't intend to.

Also: Laurey from the Oklahoma! in London with Hugh...something about that really high "love!" in the "People Will Say We're in Love reprise" But overall, she is not hideous; hey, she can sing better than I can any day. =)

[MusicPos2]

Posted: 7/12/04 at 8:54pm

Oh, I can't stand Andrea Bocelli. His songs are so great, but he's flat! It's such a shame b/c his tone is gorgeous, and he has the potential.

[~FloweryFriend~]

Posted: 7/12/04 at 8:54pm

I love everyone's voice on Secret Garden! (including Mandy and Becky, but ESPECIALLY John Cameron Mitchell. Mmm...)

[Plum]

Posted: 7/12/04 at 8:57pm

That Laurey was called Josephina Gabrielle, and she was a far better dancer than singer. Actually, the only Laurie who doesn't drive me insane at times is the original, Joan Roberts. Shirley Jones makes me want to break things.

And my mom made my dad stop playing the OBC of Gypsy on his stereo because she couldn't stand Merman. I'm thinking about sneaking the Bernadette Peters version in there instead.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 7/12/04 at 8:57pm

"Raul Esparza's voice on the Rocky Horror cast recording annoys me to no end. I can't stand listening to the Time Warp because his voice is so irritating. Ahhhhh!"

Everyone's entitled, I know, but ouch.

[tennis85]

Posted: 7/12/04 at 9:00pm

Right, FFriend! I actually saw SG twice and got to go backstage and see Becky. She introduced me to the cast. I loved SG, so sue me :)

[JoizeyActor]

Posted: 7/12/04 at 9:01pm

Lol, sorry, Emcee, but's it's really just the Time Warp that bothers me.