Not a big Streisand fan, but I'll say this: she sings in tune because she knows how to sing in tune

[Rabrrrrrr]

and isn't adjusted in the studio, or mouthsynching to a tape, like (the majority of) the modern day women pop singers.

She also doesn't need to cover up her lack of talent (because she isn't lacking) by constant melismas, which the modern day diva pop stars need to do. One reason I can't watch American Idol, or listen to current pop music. Fucking hell, if you don't have the talent to hold a pitch longer than an eighth note, get the hell out of music.

All this brought to you because I'm watching Streisand on Oprah.

She doesn't sing music that I particularly care for, but goddamn, she sings it well, especially compared to the shitstains "musical product" the music industry stamps out for us in their little factories.

[mnhtnbb]

1. Many, many years ago, I had a friend who connected his stereo

to an oscilloscope. Babs generated a perfect O. What a voice. Incredible.

[Tikki]

2. Like you, not so much my style but this rendition is...

perfection.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAu3a7CMA84
"Somewhere"...Ms. Barbra Streisand





Tikki

[foxfeet]

3. I share your disdain for the gross overuse of melismas in current pop music.

More than once, I've screamed, "Just sing the fucking note, will ya?"

[tanyev]

10. Gads. I was listening to some movie soundtrack that had a Kelly Clarkson song on it.

Every. Single. Syllable. had at least one entrance and exit melisma. Forwarded to the next track after only a few measures.

[WCGreen]

4. When I went up to get a little chorus for my voice to add a little

depth, they wanted me to buy an auto tune.

I said dude, I'm not just a pretty face, I can hit the notes. I just need a little umph...

[BlueJazz]

12. Good for you!...having been blessed/cursed with perfect pitch, I cringe when I ...

...hear live singers hit notes "somewhat close" (within a 1/4 step) :)
I certainly don't fault them for it but Major singers who are getting a pile of dough...and sing off key, do tend to piss me off..
..knowing there's singers out there who are 6 times better.
I can't listen to high school bands! :) :)

[WCGreen]

13. Yea that's hard...

I don't have perfect pitch but I know when I am off key and fix it...

I probably could have done professional singing in a choir. I loved it in High School...

[elleng]

5. One of my 2 favorite Brooklyn Jewish girls; the other, Ruth Bader Ginsburg!

[tigereye]

6. great pipes and training, I suspect

death to autotune!

[REP]

7. Same here - great voice and great performer; the material just isn't for me

I also admire her for not having rhinoplasty, which would have changed her wonderful tone.

My mother and I - opera fans - wish she'd continued bel canto. But she probably made the better career choice.

[tishaLA]

8. Amazing she has that voice at 68--and refuses to vocalize

Parts of her range are now gone, but she's still better to listen to than almost anyone. Her recordings before ~1974 have some of the most intelligent, beautiful singing I have ever heard. Her singing in the 60s and early 70s had such bite to it, but she smoothed that out for rounded tones by the mid 70s...

[Bertha Venation]

9. great post - and you taught me a word

Melisma. I didn't know there was a word for that shit. GOD I hate that crap.

[cynannmarie]

14. second that! n/t

[woo me with science]

11. I love Barbra. nt

[Taverner]

15. I friggen HATE melismas

Sounds like a wounded seal, warbling in pain