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Post by Dianna on Dec 1, 2012 15:35:52 GMT -5
You know, I'm probably Carrie's biggest advocate on this forum regarding "new country," and a pretty good singing voice, however, not sure if she can pull this off as Maria. I think Carrie has a pretty good understanding of the new country stuff even country rock, I'll give her that and 80's power ballads.. and I think it was even mentioned here how her duet with tony bennett was kind of hokey and contrived.. I've heard Linda be accused of the same thing too with the standards, which, IMO is nonsense, she put so much effort and learning into understanding (pirates too).. and she was familar with it as a small girl. Well, I am rooting for Carrie because I like her and I'm sure it will sound great but, IMO, I don't think she will wow me in this part. www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/30/carrie-underwood-sound-of-music-nbc_n_2219243.html?utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false |
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Post by Partridge on Dec 1, 2012 16:26:52 GMT -5
I am trying to moderate my negative attitude toward certain artists. I've not been so negative toward Carrie Underwood... she certainly has a nice voice. Though I'm not extremely familiar with her music, when I've heard her, I thought she had a good voice but she just doesn't move me in the way that Linda Ronstadt or Bonnie Raitt can.
But I really don't like that song about the Louisville Slugger to both headlights. Oops-- negativity creeps in again.
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Post by erik on Dec 1, 2012 20:01:56 GMT -5
I have probably done most of the criticizing of Carrie because I think she represents a lot about what I feel is so bland and safe in today's country music. But perhaps I can be persuaded by what she does with taking on such a piece as "The Sound Of Music." And I also think they're going back to the actual musical itself to avoid comparisons with the iconic 1965 film of it, which seems to be much different from the original, though it'll be hard to forget Julie Andrews' role in it (IMHO).
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Post by rick on Dec 2, 2012 0:35:56 GMT -5
Tony, dianna, Erik -- I don't want to pre-judge this, but, yes, it is difficult to erase Julie Andrews in such an iconic role as the film version. Yes, the original stage musical with Mary Martin was very different from the film (IMHO, the film was an improvement). As for Carrie, I believe she is the most successful of the actual "American Idol" winners, with Kelly Clarkson being second. She is not someone I'd cross the street to hear. She was on Tony Bennett's PBS special for his "Duets 2" album. Carrie performed a duet with Tony Bennett on "It Had To Be You." It is just so clear in listening to her here how out of her depth she is. I know that RichWar (Richard) has said that he dislikes Natalie Cole for having a "thin" voice. Say what you might about Natalie Cole's voice (I actually like Miss Natalie) but Carrie's is so thin as to be transparent here. There is no heft, no seeming knowledge of what it means to sing/swing a standard. Here is the URL for the video -- Now, if Linda had been asked to perform a song on any of Mr. Bennett's "Duets" albums, she would have known how to sell it. Here is a performer who was 23/24 years old at the time she sang "It Had To Be You" on a TV special -- |
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Post by Dianna on Dec 2, 2012 13:28:35 GMT -5
Yes, who no better than babs to sing classic standards (and love songs or broadway).. but rick, that is the type of music she is well known for.. On the other hand, I remember watching a star is born with babs and kris and thinking, boy she sings great but I don't like the way she is trying to sound like a rock singer there.. it doesn't sound right. And IMO, Carrie has that angry growl where she can sing those songs well. I only meant I sure hope she studies the part. another thing. I've never heard her sing in a high soprano voice.. I hope they don't change the musical .
This is what I feel carrie does best!
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Post by rick on Dec 2, 2012 14:27:35 GMT -5
Yes, who no better than babs to sing classic standards (and love songs or broadway).. but rick, that is the type of music she is well known for.. On the other hand, I remember watching a star is born with babs and kris and thinking, boy she sings great but I don't like the way she is trying to sound like a rock singer there.. it doesn't sound right. And IMO, Carrie has that angry growl where she can sing those songs well. I only meant I sure hope she studies the part. another thing. I've never heard her sing in a high soprano voice.. I hope they don't change the musical . This is what I feel carrie does best! dianna, we all have singers of whom we are fans. i think the posting about Carrie playing Maria von Trapp just got the rest of us wondering if that is a wise casting choice. I have never seen Carrie Underwood act so can't comment. My gut tells me that Bob Greenblatt at NBC thought that Carrie Underwood is popular, she probably wants to expand into other areas, and NBC has the rights to show "The Sound of Music" movie every year. Perhaps they thought it was time for a new version. As for Barbra, yes, there are songs that she has tried to sing that do not suit her voice. That said, she has been pretty successful in a number of genres. On her recent CD, "Release Me," a compilation of unreleased song, there is a country song written by Larry Gatlin called "Try to Win a Friend." Larry Gatlin hiimself here goes on to say that Barbra's version is the best version of the song -- I am not trying to single out Carrie Underwood. I just don't think that a lot of today's singers have the chops to sing standards. There are exceptions. I just find Carrie flat and out of her element there with Tony Bennett. As I said, I do not think the same would be said if Linda were his duet partner. |
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Post by Dianna on Dec 2, 2012 15:27:02 GMT -5
well, can you imagine how thrilled he was Barbra chose one of his songs. From the little I heard it sounded lovely probably not something I would think of as wanting when I was in a country mood. Anyway, back to Carrie, if you read back to my original post I am agreeing with everyone here.. you said , "the rest of us wondering if that is a wise move?" when I am the one who actually addressed it first. I had to go back and read my post! lol. Anyway, My point is, Carrie sings what she does very well and so does Babs.. not sure I buy her singing country or country rock or songs by ann and nancy wilson.. or vice versa with Carrie singing Bab's, broadway or standards. The only person in my opinion who can fill those shoes authentically is non other than you know who. LOL
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Post by erik on Dec 2, 2012 20:31:49 GMT -5
Quote by dianna:
In truth, the standards (or the Great American Songbook, if you will) are always the toughest to essay unless one is staunchly associated with it, as Tony Bennett and Babs are. Of course, Rod Stewart's done it four times and fallen flat on his Scottish keister, artistically speaking (IMHO). Linda's done them really good, though I think she was at her best on Hummin' To Myself, when it was a more modest jazz format. How Carrie does in this arena, be it Broadway musicals or the Great American Songbook, is pretty much dependent on how well she prepares. I don't envy her task.
I think the task would be even harder for Carrie if it were some of the more edgy material that Linda herself did at her 1970s peak, especially a song like "Willing", which is not only a truck-driving C&W/rock anthem, but one with references to "weed, whites, and wine" (the "whites" reference meaning amphetamines). I doubt Carrie could get away with even recording this one, let alone ever releasing it as a single. And I dare even someone as supposedly "edgy" as a Miranda Lambert or Gretchen Wilson to get away with it.
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Post by Dianna on Dec 2, 2012 21:41:55 GMT -5
Actually, I think it would be a lot harder for Carrie to tackle broadway musicals or standards then a song like willin, it's closer to her genre for sure.. given the lyrics it's probably safe to say she'd not record a song like that but as an interpreter or a tribute you never know, but she'd probably change the lyrics to fit her image.. If you give me"Wheat, wine and whites (for clean laundry) Linda can get away with it for a few reasons.. 1. she's an excellent singer and interpreter 2. I'm sure living on the road all those years she saw a lot or tried just about everything out of curiosity..
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