[Quiz] Which Diva "Whistled" What?

The highest part of the voice- AKA the "whistle" register- is often thought of as nothing more than a freakish extension of a person's range. So devoid of character and individuality that it adds precious little to a vocal, bar a chance for showboating. Blasphemy, I say!!

We here at DivaDevotee are a (mostly) proud bunch of flageolet lovers (hehehe), who I'm sure think can attribute a whistle tone to a particular singer with relative ease. (Me included!) But let's find out if this is true, with the 9 question quiz below!

Simply listen to each example, check the Diva's name and submit your answer to find out if you were correct or not. It would be cool if you could tot up your score and post it, along with any other whistle-related discussion, in the comments.

So watcha waiting for. Give your ears a workout.

[Duelling Divas] Deniece Williams "Free" Featuring Chante Moore, Debelah Morgan And Corrine Bailey Rae

A blast from the past today with a "Duelling Divas" that features Deniece Williams' 1976 hit Free as its focus. This was initially going to be just a post about the song, because for some reason unbeknownst to me it popped into my head. However, once I read it had been covered by other Diva's I thought I'd switch the post up a bit!

Like a time machine, Free will transport you right back to the1970's with its easy, laid-back groove and gorgeous, sweet and loved up vocals. (Actually, now that I think about it, I'm sure I'm talking about the 60's. Oh well. I'm not changing it. Call it "wilful ignorance" on my part.)

Like her contemporary and colleague , the great Minnie Ripperton, Williams is credited as having a 5 octaves vocal range. However, though this song contains some soaring vocals, there isn't actually any whistle notes in her own version. The other Divas, however, weren't so restrained.

Vocal Profile: Debelah Morgan

Debelah Morgan

Vocal Type:Coloratura Soprano
Vocal Range: 3 Octaves 5 notes and a semitone (C3-Bb6)
Whistle Register:Yes
Vocal Pluses: Brilliant technique that demonstrates complete vocal freedom, being able to execute various vocal acrobatics along the entire range. Her vocal dexterity and stamina means Debelah Morgan  is able to transition and jump throughout the range on a single breath and hold notes without any effort and with apparent ease.

The lower range is slightly smoky, dark, but breathy, and is connected well to the midrange. The midrange itself [top of third octave, start of fourth octave] is richer and well supported. It displays a maturer, fuller timbre than the upper part of the range, and is healthier and better controlled than the lower extremes of the voice. However, Debelah Morgan  does display versatility in the mid-range and is able to make it lighter and airer if she so chooses [Hear the thicker midrange on Yesterday and its airier counterpart on Its not over].

The belting range is contrasting depending on how it is accessed. When it is utilised without mixing it
is thicker, rounded and heavier, but when mixed it becomes lighter, thinner and noticeably sweeter. From here the voice passes effortlessly into the head voice, where she is able to carry it effortlessly throughout most of the 6th octave (up to Bb6)

Shows a nearly unrivalled skill within her bright and piercing whistle register. Debelah Morgan is able to articulate within this part of her range, as well as conducts trills, runs that traverse the range and hit staccato notes accurately [all can be heard done live in Dance With Me from 4.30].

Vocal Negatives: Sometimes child-like tone isn't to everyone's taste, along with the head-dominant singing throughout the voice. The voice overall lacks real weight.

Worlds Greatest Whistle register singer: Debelah Morgan

...Okay. Fine. Second greatest "whistler" after Minnie Ripperton- sorry Mariah.

To those who her brief career passed by at the start of the new century, Debelah Morgan was a Rnb/pop singer that had a worldwide hit with the single Dance with me. Though her recording career never really set the music world on fire, her unparalleled ability in the whistle register-something she unashamedly liked to demonstrate on near enough all of her songs- has kept her musical legacy alive amongst fans of this unique vocal styling.