Rough n Gruff Unique Voices

Music Wench

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Gotta agree with the Rev. I've never thought of Elvis Costello as rough and gruff.
 

Carvin Abuser

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Reverend Rock said:
I think when we say "rough and gruff", we're talking about a "sandpaper quality" of voice (Rod Stewart being perhaps the most famous and stereotypical example). There's a "gravel" factor in that kind of voice that I don't think is characteristic of Elvis Costello at all. His singing has an undisciplined quality about it, but I would not characterize it as "rough" or "gruff".

Rod Stewart is a good choice, can't believe I forgot him.

Another one is Rick Medlocke of Blackfoot and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
 

algernon

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Music Wench said:
Gotta agree with the Rev. I've never thought of Elvis Costello as rough and gruff.
Me either, wenchie. Costello is smooth. Come on people...rough an' gruff is something like Neil Young...not Barry White! Every cat in the Universe wishes they could croon like Barry White! Rough and gruff is outa Left Field!
 

Martin Q. Blank

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Big Generator said:
So when did Costello 'go gruff'?

There are periods of his career (and even individual songs on albums) where his singing has typically been more raucous and rough...certainly moreso than than "Chelsea." Would you like a song list?
 
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Martin Q. Blank

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algernon said:
Me either, wenchie. Costello is smooth.

"Smooth"? You've got to be kidding.

Don't get me wrong...Costello is a very versatile vocalist--he can be fairly smooth when he wants, like on the Bacharach stuff--but his general vocal timbre is certainly not "smooth." Bing Crosby is smooth.

Come on people...rough an' gruff is something like Neil Young...not Barry White! Every cat in the Universe wishes they could croon like Barry White! Rough and gruff is outa Left Field!

Reverend Rock said:
I think when we say "rough and gruff", we're talking about a "sandpaper quality" of voice (Rod Stewart being perhaps the most famous and stereotypical example). There's a "gravel" factor in that kind of voice that I don't think is characteristic of Elvis Costello at all. His singing has an undisciplined quality about it, but I would not characterize it as "rough" or "gruff".

It's astonishing to me that none of you see any rough qualities in his voice. I can't tell you how many people I've come across who hate his voice for that very reason.

Oh well...at least AboutAGirl liked the suggestion. So at least I knew what he meant. :p
 
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Martin Q. Blank

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Music Wench said:
Gotta agree with the Rev. I've never thought of Elvis Costello as rough and gruff.

Mick Jagger ain't exactly "rough and gruff" either, but that's the kind of vocal timbre that AAG was looking for.
 

Big Generator

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algernon said:
Me either, wenchie. Costello is smooth. Come on people...rough an' gruff is something like Neil Young...not Barry White! Every cat in the Universe wishes they could croon like Barry White! Rough and gruff is outa Left Field!

Neil Young? He has a high-pitched, fragile sounding voice...he's a total girlyboy compared to Barry White.
 

algernon

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Big Generator said:
Neil Young? He has a high-pitched, fragile sounding voice...he's a total girlyboy compared to Barry White.
Good point.Let me amend my statement to say Young's voice is "rough", not "gruff."
 

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