Wednesday, December 14, 2011

O Holy Night Off! Round 2 - Faith Hill vs. George Beverly Shea

O Holy Night Off! Round 2 CC1 Faith Hill vs. CC4 George Beverly Shea




What makes this such a beautiful version, I think, is the awesome vibrato that she has throughout the song. She is in total control of her voice and she uses it like an instrumentalist. One of the reasons why she has this total control is because the song is keyed in G and it uses her strong alto range to give it this control. This makes her high note a very reachable D. If you are to give points based on knowing your voice, she would get a bunch, but if you are in the "how high can you go with the high note" game, then this version might not do it for you. However, if you are in the "how low can you go with the low note" game, then GBS is your man. His version is keyed in F making his low note a low F. Folks, melodies are usually not sung that low. Just impressive. But I don't think that vocal gymnastics should decide the OHNO, but maybe you think so. Let me know.

2 comments:

  1. I like the way Faith Hill started softly and tenderly as one does with a new baby, moves to the power and majesty of the new born king, and ends with soft love that only a mom seems to be able to express. GBS does not express the emotions in his version.

    Gotta be Faith by a mile.

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  2. I have been a huge fan of Faith Hill for a long time, and she does a great job on this song. Yes she is in total control of her voice, but....GBS sings this with a mystical-reverence that it deserves. Plus, I would love to have a voice like his. GBS by a hair.

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