Marilyn McCoo

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I honestly don't know if I've ever heard a natural singing voice better than that of Marilyn McCoo from the Fifth Dimension. I'm not talking about vocal talent (though she's probably really good there, too); I'm talking about the quality of her voice. It is a huge voice, but there is also this CLARITY to it that is astonishing. I don't know of anyone who compares.

― Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 05:39 (twenty years ago)

what about her Solid Gold cohost, Rex Smith? (kidding, Tim, kidding, I just wanted to bring that up)

― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 05:42 (twenty years ago)

you don't have to be a star, baby, to be on that show.

― you people and your friends are fake (Jody Beth Rosen), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 06:04 (twenty years ago)

It is a huge voice, but there is also this CLARITY to it that is astonishing. I don't know of anyone who compares.

karen carpenter?

― you people and your friends are fake (Jody Beth Rosen), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 06:05 (twenty years ago)

You might have a point there about McCoo; listen especially to "Love's Lines, Angles And Rhymes" which covers three octaves but you only realise that after you've heard it.

Karen's voice was maybe not as "authoritative" (perhaps too vulnerable for that) but the clarity of diction and breath control are both astonishing - witness the verses of "Goodbye To Love" which require her to sing a continuous, octave-jumping vocal line over seven bars. Sounds easy until you try it; more miraculous still that you can try it and also mean it, emotionally.

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 06:18 (twenty years ago)

Yes, Karen Carpenter. But I would think that Marilyn McCoo was more of a powerhouse. Her voice has this RING to it. Like you would say it is "clear as a bell."

I don't know if I've heard "Goodbye to Love." I was just listening to "Love's Lines, Angles, and Rhymes" before I started this thread!

― Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 06:24 (twenty years ago)

Perhaps Karen had better technique with not as remarkable a voice? I definitely agree about 'Love's Lines, Angles and Rhymes'; the dynamics are remarkable, and I think a lot of the credit goes to Marilyn McCoo. 'One Less Bell To Answer' is notable, too.

Karen was sadder, more sombre.

― derrick (derrick), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 06:43 (twenty years ago)

Ella Fitzgerald?

― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 06:44 (twenty years ago)

I was thinking of early Ella Fitzgerald, actually.

― Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 06:48 (twenty years ago)

rosemary clooney, or is she too affected?

― you people and your friends are fake (Jody Beth Rosen), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 06:49 (twenty years ago)

and may i be the first to start referring to her as "ro-clo"?

― you people and your friends are fake (Jody Beth Rosen), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 06:50 (twenty years ago)

even mid-period Ella, like the Songbooks stuff, is very close to what you're describing there. she was more controlled and less overly HUGE I suppose, but her clarity is breathtaking.

Cory Daye comes to mind here as well.

― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 06:55 (twenty years ago)

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