[Vocal Profile] Judy Garland

Judy Garland

Vocal Type: Middle-weight contralto
Vocal Range: 2 Octaves 3 notes (D3-G5)
Tessitura: E3-Bb4
Whistle Register: No
Vocal Pluses:A fantastically identifiable voice – best known for her roles at MGM Studios, but also for her extensive back-catalogue; the entire voice has a warm, rich, incredibly velvety quality.

The low notes, encompassing a D3 [Old Man River] have a darkness that pervades much of the voice, and as most contraltos tend to, this part of the voice seems incredibly easy for Judy to hit both from the beginning of her career [F3 in Over the Rainbow original] until the end.

The middle range, starting at about B3 and up until Ab4, had that same richness, only now with more variations for volume than the lower range offered. Her voice sat incredibly easily in this part of the voice, and didn’t show any signs of fatigue even into her later years [Judy and Liza at the Palladium].

The high range, when executed using a ‘belting’ technique as she did through most of her later career, had an incredible capacity for power and dramatic highs, though they generally had to be built up to in the later section of a song. The belting range could be taken up to D5 [Get Happy], and the same rich and full tone that the rest of the voice had stands true in the high range, even moreso than the middle. She also showed in her earlier years that she could mix her voice brilliantly [White Christmas, Where There’s Music), thereby getting a sweeter, less overpowering sound, which she used in later years as well, though less frequently. When Judy decided to use head voice, though rarely displayed, it still shone with surprising brilliance and ease [Opera Spoof], encompassing at least G5 if not higher. The head voice lost no tone or warmth, taking on a nearly operatic quality that was incredibly full and bright.

Overall, though she is renowned for being an emotive singer, her technique was quite brilliant, and that she could even sing by the late 60s given her use of drugs and alcohol is quite amazing.

Vocal Negatives: The voice in later years began to lose some of the ease that her younger self had, though this is due in part to ageing, drug/alcohol abuse, and a natural lowering of the voice after her 20s. Some found her style of singing to be too abrasive and blaring, though this is entirely a personal taste.

Thanks so much to Marty M for putting this together!!

*I'll add some audio clips at some point, but here is a documentary about the singer for now:

[New Music] Listen To Lana Del Rey's "Beautiful Player" And "Breaking My Heart"

Lana Del Rey must be the most productive singer out there! There doesn't seem to be a minute where the singer-songwriter isn't leaking material on to the net. Seriously, she must live in the studio! Still, it eases the transition (and the painful longing) between her début album and it's upcoming sophomore follow up, so I shan't complain.

First up is Beautiful Player which wears its Hip Hop influences on its sleeve, with a heavy beat and a male rapper/the song producer/ family friend (I don't know who he is) alibiing over the track and spitting a few bars after the song's bridge. Lana keeps the vocals sweet and light while she sings about her scumbag, but beautiful, boyfriend who keeps playing around. All-in-all, not a bad track.

[Free Music] Download Charlotte Church's Excellent "TWO" EP!

If I had known Charlotte Church's excellent TWO EP was being given away for free, I'd have told you guys sooner! Unfortunately, it's only today that I stumbled upon this wondrous news! If you are feeling extra generous, the site from which it's being distributed does give you the ability to offer a monetary tip- so dig deep if you can to support this independent venture- however, it's not a necessity in getting your mitts on it. (You can also buy it on Itunes, here.)

I have to admit I cheaped Charlotte out of my money when downloading- but that's only because I have none at the moment! I shall, however, (hopefully) make it up to the Welsh woman by greasing her palm when I buy tickets to see her perform in London, come September! Also, my brother has bought a copy of the EP already, so at least someone with half the same DNA as me has paid for it. That's something, right?

Charlotte's next EP is due in August, but if you liked this collection of songs I strongly suggest you buy its predecessor (entitled, ONE), here.

[New Music] Beyonce Inspires With "Rise Up" From "Epic" Soundtrack

It looks like Beyonce isn't done with helping us become better human beings just yet! Last weekend saw the Crazy In Love singer teach us about women's rights and gender equality at the Chime For Change concert while today, with the release of new song Rise Up, the singer offers up some sage advice on building and maintaining our fragile self-esteem.

Written by Co-written with Sia, and taken from the soundtrack of animated film Epic, the track has Baddie Bey and Sasha Fierce take a back seat, leaving regular, plain ol' God-fearing Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter in the front seat, driving the vocals. So be ready for a delivery that is totally sugar and spice and everything nice. It's not a song I'll be spinning again any time soon, but it's pretty, features some nice, if excessive, harmonies and I can see how it fits perfectly with the movie it's been recorded for.

Take a listen to Rise Up and let me know what y'all think below in the comments.

[Watch] Mariah Carey And Miguel Perform "#Beautiful" live @ Hot 97′s 2013 Summer Jam

Mariah, Mariah, Mariah.....good on you for promoting Beautiful, but yeah, this was not cute. I have no more words. You guys watch the Diva return the favour to Miguel for joining her at her GMA  mini-concert by crashing his Hot 97′s 2013 Summer Jam set. Then explain to me how I should be feeling in the comments. #Devastated, perhaps?

Update: Listened to it LOUDER- my poor neighbours- and Mariah wasn't as bad as I'd initially thought. Up until 2.42 she was actually pretty okay.

[Watch] Divas Unite For "Chime For Change" Concert @ Twickenham Stadium

Saturday saw the Chime For Change concert take place at the home of Rugby Union, Twickenham stadium. There was something fittingly symbolic about a venue usually so crammed full of alpha males that just breathing the surrounding air on match day could make you sprout chest hairs, being used to highlight the plight of women everywhere.

Some of you may know that I was lucky enough to attend the concert- and had an amazing time, thanks for asking. But this post isn't really going to offer a play by play of the concert, instead I thought I'd post MY top three best and worst things about the night. Doing that should hopefully stop me from rambling and let you get to the performances quicker. (Or you could just ignore all of this and just scroll straight down, you scoundrels!)

[Free Music] Take A Listen To (And Download) Independent Artist Vanessa Elisha's "Don't Go" EP

Received an email from an Australian up-and-coming Diva called Vanessa Elisha. Always one to try and shine a little light on new and independent talent, I thought it was only right that I make a post for her new EP, Don't Go.

With a dark Rnb sound that isn't dissimilar to that featured on Tinashe's excellent Reverie mixtape, Vanessa has compiled an EP of beautifully atmospheric tracks. With a voice that shares qualities with both Mya and JoJo, the vocals are kept breezy and light for most of this EP- which is actually respectful to the production. So don't expect your head to be blown off by big notes and crazy runs. But if you do want to hear Vanessa stretch her voice a little more, take a listen to the ad-libs on the closing track Blur. They hint at there still being more to come from this singer-songwriter.

I really love this era of music. No longer does an artist have to faff about with record labels to showcase their talent to a wider audience. Now a person, anywhere, can get on the net, upload their creations and the world is (potentially) their audience. The internet has effectively democratised music- and it's awesome!  Keep doing your thing, Ms. Elisha!