[Discuss] Which Singer Has The Most Beautiful Falsetto?

I know, I know! There are many vocal teachers out there that insist the female falsetto doesn't exist and that it's the head voice producing that particular timbre. But science has proven this to be untrue, so I am going ahead with the post. Take that, (more informed than me) teachers!!

Jessie J Vs Christina Aguilera: Which is the Queen Of The Vocal Run?

Click on either to go to their vocal profile!

Melisma can be an impressive and beautiful touch to a vocal line, when used with musicality and intelligence. It can of course be a force for evil too, destroying lives and homes when used excessively. The problem is, what is considered too much to some can be not enough for others. This is the power of subjective taste.

[Duelling Divas] "Memory" From "Cats"

I've been around a fair few years. And I've known that there's a musical dedicated to my most favouritest of creatures for most of that time. Yet, I still have not taken my toosh to see the musical, Cats.

It could have something to do with me hating people and not wanting to be sat next to a stranger for an extended period of time. But that doesn't explain why I've never watched it online or when it's been on television...hmmm. None of this is your concern, so I'll save the rest of this self-exploitory descent into madness for my angst-ridden diary.

Lisa Fischer Vs. Whitney Houston: Who was the Better Vocalist?

The comparison between Whitney Houston and Lisa Fischer isn't one I've personally made before.

It was actually a YouTube video (featured below) that got to me to thinking about the pair in any sort of adversarial way. And the longer I ruminated on it, the more I realised Ms. Fischer's dark and rich voice was way more suitable an instrument to compare Whitney's to than say -the oft pitted against Divas- Mariah Carey and Celine Dion.

[Duelling Divas] "Lady Marmalade"

Lady Marmalade was a smash hit for LaBelle in 1975 and featured the scandalously suggestive chorus of "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi (ce soir)?". At the time of release, Patti Labelle -who handled the lead- claimed she never really understood the français, saying: "I didn't know what it was about. Nobody, I swear this is God's truth, nobody told me what I'd just sung a song about."

[Duelling Divas] Which Diva Sang "Resentment" Best?

I sorta feel like I've written about Resentment somewhere before. How else would it be that I was vaguely aware that it had been recorded by three Divas- Beyonce, Jazmine Sullivan and Victoria Beckham- before today?

[Dueling Divas] Celine Dion Vs Lara Fabian : Which is the Better Singer?

Celine Dion and Lara Fabian are often compared.

[Duellng Divas] "Baby, It's Cold Outside"

Since it is the season, I thought this latest addition to the Duelling Divas series should be somewhat related.

We've already had a Christmas battle [See: O Holy Night], so this time I've found a winter classic that is pertinent to the coldest season of the northern hemisphere, but isn't holiday related. A bonus of this pick is that it's been covered by such a wide range of singers, over such a large period of time, that we'll get to deal with Divas who don't usually get a look in on the blog.

Before we get to the music, here's a quick blurb from Wiki on the song:

[Battle] Aretha Franklin Vs. Patti LaBelle: Which Is The Better Singer?

These two iconic Divas have had an alleged feud since WAAAAAAAAAAAY back before most of us were even born! Admittedly it seems one-sided, but still, you'd have hoped the animosity would've dissipated as time passed and the pair took their place in the pantheon of Legendary Divas.

But this is Aretha Franklin we're talking about! A Diva who has been ruling over the dominion of Soul and Shade for as long as anyone can remember. And clearly, she ain't giving up either crown anytime soon. Just witness this moment involving the pair, filmed just last year:

[Battle] Beyonce Vs. Christina Aguilera: Which Is The Better Singer?

It's time to stir the pot again! I only realised today how successful the Demi Lovato Vs. Ariana Grande post had been, so I thought, "Hey, let's try again with two new divas".

Today's battle centers around two peers who, though having differing voices, styles and techniques, get compared an awful lot. This is perhaps understandable when you consider both are of the same generation. However, the comparisons are further fueled- in my opinion- by Beyonce fans who feel slightly aggrieved that Aguilera- aka "The Voice of a Generation"- often gets labelled a vocalist, while Bey is referred to as an "entertainer". 

[Battle] Demi Lovato Vs. Ariana Grande - Which Is The Better Singer?

New segment time! Get out the decorations, it's party time! Done? Now put em away! Ain't nobody got time fo' no party! So what's the new segment? Well it's something I've previously avoided out of fear of the site being overrun by nutters- but I live in fear no more!! Why? Because all that drinking over the holiday season has given me some sort of brain damage and I now trust people to be sensible when dealing with Divas being pitted against one another!

[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.

[Duelling Divas] Which Diva Sang Les Misérables' "I Dreamed A Dream" Best?

This "Duelling Divas" seemed a timely one considering a feature film of the stage show, from which the song sprung, is currently winning awards and putting bums on seats in cinemas around the world. What could I possibly be talking about? I Dreamed A Dream from the musical Les Misérables, of course! (I'm sure the post title and it's accompanying image didn't give that away...)

Let's see what Wiki has to tell us about this iconic number;

"I Dreamed a Dream" is a song from the musical Les Misérables.[1] It is a solo that is sung by the character Fantine during the first act. The music is by Claude-Michel Schönberg, with orchestrations by John Cameron. The English lyrics are by Herbert Kretzmer, based on the original French libretto by Alain Boublil from the original French production.

The song is a lament, sung by the anguished, dying Fantine, who has just been fired from her job at the factory and thrown onto the streets. She thinks back to happier days and wonders at all that has gone wrong in her life.

In the original Musical, the song occurs after Fantine has been fired, and before Lovely Ladies. In the film adaptation, these two musical numbers were swapped around, to place dramatic emphasis on Fantine's depressing descent into prostitution.

Being from such a famous musical, it's unsurprising that I Dreamed A Dream has been covered by a number of Divas. But what makes this a change to other Duelling Diva posts is that this one contains singers that many won't be familiar with. But that shouldn't stop you getting involved; it's always good to try new things and discover new singers!

So let's get to it and watch some Divas sing!

Vocal Battle: Keyshia Cole vs Michelle Williams

As thrilled as I was to see Michelle Williams hit the stage during Beyonce's Super Bowl half-time show, it seems it wasn't a sentiment shared by everyone.

Surprisingly, the most notable criticism came from fellow Rnb Diva Keyshia Cole. Taking to her Twitter account during the half-time show, the Trust And Believe singer posted this gem; "I think I was frightened to blink for a sec. Then Michelle sung and woke my a** up from my daze! She always f***n the groove up." Ouch.

[Watch] Sia Sings Rihanna's "Diamonds"

Sia Furler treated fans at the Norwegian-American Achievement Award ceremony (wow, there's awards for everything!) to a stripped down version of her world-wide smash hit Diamonds.

Okay, strictly speaking its Rihanna's hit, but since it was penned by the Australian it's only fair she shares in some of that success. Besides, listening to Sia's rendition it confirms that it wasn't just the lyrics that she was responsible for; with much (all?) of the vocal styling on the Rihanna version being down to her too.

Duelling Divas: " I Will Always Love You"

This is what happens when us normal, regular folk try to tackle the Whitney Houston version of I Will Always Love You:

Though the critically acclaimed song was written and released by Dolly Parton in 1973, it wasn't until Whitney Houston covered the song two decades later that it really took on the iconic status it now enjoys. In fact Houston's rendition was such a worldwide phenomenon, and so different from the original, that many didn't realise it was a cover or a Country song.

Duelling Divas: "O Holy Night". Which Diva Sang It Best

What better way to celebrate this festive and cosy time of year then by pitting Diva against Diva in a deadly O Holy Night Sing off! Okay, so this isn't a new thing, having done the same thing last year with Silent Night, and it isn't that deadly really, but its still fun for me to do! Besides this year's post features the added bonuses of my comments about the versions, as well as- more importantly- the chance for you to express your opinion via the poll at the bottom!

Some fun facts about the Christmas carol, courtesy of Wikipedia of course, before we begin. O Holy Night was written by French Poet Placide Cappeau and was composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847! The words to the carol have been changed somewhat since then, and for anyone wanting to sing along as they listen, they are as follows;

Beyonce Versus Solange: Whose voice do you prefer?

Juvenile perhaps, but definitely with tongue-in-cheek, I ask the question: Beyonce or Solange Knowles, which is better? In reality, you can like them both, but for the sake of this post imagine there's a metaphorical gun to your head and force yourself to choose!

Duelling Divas: "Over the Rainbow" Which Diva sang it best?

It's hard to believe that Over the Rainbow, the song that came to be the signature tune for the classic musical that was the Wizard of Oz, was almost omitted from the film after the chief executive at MGM and the film producer felt that it "slowed down the picture". Luckily the song was reinstated and went on to win the hearts of audiences from the moment it was released, eventually being voted the song of the 20th Century.

Judy Garland, at the age of 16, was the original vocalist of Over the Rainbow. Her sweet, rounded, thick contralto voice, with its perfect phrasing and strict adherence to the melody gave the world a master class in effective singing, belying her youthful years. Until this day her rendition has never been matched for its purity or ability to communicate the innocent, almost naive, sentiments of desire and hope the lyrics speak on.

Duelling Divas "At Last" Christina Aguilera Vs Beyonce: Who sang it best?

Etta james first covered At Last in 1960 and as far as I am concerned her rendition will always be the best. Not because it's the most well known version, or the one that brought the song to the worlds attention, but because of Etta James' masterful and impassioned delivery.

Etta James utilised her contralto range perfectly, never becoming self-indulgent, showy or overwrought. Instead her voice coexisted with the beautiful lyrics and captivating  instrumentation harmoniously, giving us the resulting classic we know and love today. But how does the renditions of fellow Divas, Beyonce and Christina Aguilera, fare in comparison.