By Request. Who sang it best: Christmas songs.
Let’s start with O Holy Night. There will be other songs between now and Christmas.
Please rate them from best to last and give reasons. Listen all the way through each one. You don’t want to miss the embellishments!
Update: Adding the names of the performers. Sorry I am a little late.
Carrie Underwood
Kelly Clarkson
Weezer
Clay Aiken
Anthony Callea
David Archuleta
Possibly Related Posts:
- Who Sang It Best: Silent Night
- Who Sang It Best 7: Mad World
- Who Sang It Best 6: I Want To Know What Love Is
- Who Sang It Best 5: Bridge Over Troubled Water
- Who Sang It Best 4: Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
MJ,
I tried to find your blog on the “Clayboard” today, and it was gone. I questioned where it had gone, and was told that one of the moderators ordered it removed. I have been plagued with intruders for some time (and I’ve been able to “duck” them for the last few days now). I firmly believe they won’t be satisified until they have totally crushed Clay’s career, and are still planning some skullduggery against him in the very near future. I want to help him, but I don’t know what I can do. I will try to reach you from my home page, but I’m not sure that the “subnet mask” isn’t still there. My screen name for most of the Clay fan boards is NanClayFan
and my home board is: http://s1.zetaboards.com/ClayDream_Believers/index/ I am sure the owner/mod, Jan would be happy to give you a place for us to access you there. I keep in touch with her privately also, so she can give you my home e-mail addy if you need to reach me. Thanks so much for all you do for Clay and us, his REAL fans.
One of my favorite Clay performances (with DJ comments+ GREAT!!!)Enjoy
Merry Christmas everyone. CLAY IS THE KING!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxV-_qadO1I
No doubt about it. Number FOUR was, is, and always will be the best talent to ever participate in the American Idol contest. Even Simon called him “The best thing that ever happened to AI” in his book. One of the few times he was telling the truth.
But I never thought it was “putrid”.
I also thought #2 was Mariah, lol
CC – I’m sorry, I just got back to this blog today and just noticed you asked me a question. I wasn’t ignoring you.
I really thought #2 was Mariah Carey.
Weezer – hahaha!!!!!! I guessed all of them but #3 (thought it might have been Rob Halford) and #5 (because I’m not familiar with him.) I LOVE these polls!!!! Thanks!
#4 is absolutely beautiful
#6 was okay
I didn’t care for any ot the others.
My placings are:
lst place is by a longshot no.4 – pure , beautiful ,reminds of angels and Christmas.Just the way X’mas songs are supposed to be…
2nd – no.1
3rd – no. 5
4th- no.6 ok but boring.
5th – no.3
6th – no .2 too much vocal gymnastics .spoil the song
My opinion – My point was that if you knew who # 2 was beforehand, you probably wouldn’t have been so harsh. I know you were judging by the quality of the vocals, and while they were not great, “Putrid” was a bit extreme. You did say you thought it was someone else:
Quote:
“That is why I honestly thought it was someone else that I don’t think can (and ever has) sing to begin with. I was really shocked to find out that #2 was not this person”.
Just curious – Do you want to share who you think “this person” was?
#1 Is ok too Country.
#2 Way too breathy, out of tune at times. She tries to “make it her own” and makes the song unrecognizable.
#3 The music is too loud and they are trying to modernize a song that should never have that done. The vocals are just ok, they have no depth, no soul, it’s just another song he is singing.
#4 Absolutely beautiful! Great vocal, he means what he is singing and feels the words. Wonderful orchestra that doesn’t overpower.
#5 I like this version, I didn’t think his voice was a clear as #4 or his range as good. The choir does over power him at times.
#6 Very nice good vocals, but WAY too long.
My rankings best to worst:
1 #4
2 #5
3 #6
4 #1
5 #3
6 #2
#4 was by far the best
#1 she hit the high notes, pretty voice
#5 sounded good and it was live
#6 meah, he sings through his nose
#2 too much warble in the voice-I know who this is and I like her pop songs, she should stay away from Christmas. Not good.
#3 yuck
BTW – My opinion – You referred to # 2 as “putrid”, because you thought it was someone you didn’t like, or had a previous opinion on? We’re supposed to be judging with our ears, not on who we think it could be so we could put them down.
No, my description of putrid was meant for the song itself and not the person singing it. I don’t judge any singer on whether I like her/him as a person. Never have. I judge on voice and interpretation of the song being sung. Many artists that I am a fan of, I wouldn’t cross the street to see them, yet I enjoy their voices.
I was very surprised to find out who that the #2 person singing is. I honestly thought it was someone else that I don’t care for at all as a SINGER and never have liked her voice. Even when she used to be on the top of the charts. Nothing to do with the person at all.
The person that is actually singing #2 is someone that can sing, so when I found out who it was, I was really shocked that she had done such a bad rendition of the song.
I want to add that I rated them before I read any comments to make sure I did not let my self to be influenced by others opinions. I see that not too many people liked # 3, poor kid.
Here is my list in order of preference.
#4 superb voice and range.Do I need to say who that voice belongs to?
#5 great voice but not as good as # 4 Don’t know who he is.
#1 Liked her high notes (Kelly Clarkson?)
#6 Very good, I think it’s David Archuleta.
#2 good voice, but breathy, sounds like Mariah Carey, but not sure
#3 not a strong voice at all.Have no idea who he might be.
#4 is pure heaven.
# 4 was by far the best. Beautifully sung, pure vocals & well complimented by the orchestration. I’m sure we all know who it is.
The rest rank in this order:
# 6 – Sounds like David Archuletta. If it is him, it’s very well done, especially by someone so young.
# 1 – My guess is Carrie Underwood. Good for Country, but not a big fan of the twangy sound.
# 2 – Sounds like Kelly Clarkson. Not one of her better vocals & the breathing issues are obvious. She is usually much better.
# 5 -The orchestration is overpowering. I can’t tell who it is, or if he’s any good
# 3 – Just no.
BTW – My opinion – You referred to # 2 as “putrid”, because you thought it was someone you didn’t like, or had a previous opinion on? We’re supposed to be judging with our ears, not on who we think it could be so we could put them down.
#4 is the best!
# 2
#1
#6
#5
#3 I so dont like that version what so ever!!!
No contest here…..#4 is without a doubt the best, by far.
#4 Beautiful voice and interpretation of the song with emotion and understanding of the lyrics.
From here on out, it’s dicey for me and it doesn’t matter to me how they’re ranked.
#1 You could cut glass with that voice. Not shrill, but sharp.
#2 Pretty voice but just all over the place and some bad notes toward the end.
#3 B.O.R.I.I.N.G. Who is that guy?
#5 What? Just does not know how to interpret lyrics.
#6 Five minutes of this? I don’t think so. I did try.
#3 is horrible and I kept wanting to yell at #6 to clear his throat. I don’t like women’s voices on this song at all. #4 and #5 were best with #4 taking the prize.
Here’s my order of preference:
#4 wins, hands down. The voice, the arrangement, and the heartfelt emotion in the delivery make this one my favorite.
#6 – Again, I like the vocal tone and sincere delivery.
#5 – A nice voice; can’t place who it is, but pretty good.
#1 and #2 – They’re not terrible but not great either. I liked #1 slightly more than #2, who was a little too over-the-top for my tastes.
#3 – This was my least favorite. They sound like they’re simply going through the motions, and don’t care about the message.
Marie – Can you explain how a voice sounds “self satisfied” as you stated in song #4?
I’ve heard other descriptions of voices before, but self-satisfied is a first for me.
From listening to these, I’d say in order from best to worst is:
4 – clear and gorgeous sound
5 – nice but arrangement was a bit too much
1 – not bad
6 – ok, but boring. Good to listen to if a nap is needed. Kind of lispy too.
2 – not cutting it
3 – there are no words
Tomorrow
#4- Vocal perfection to my ear. Lots of feeling from the singerThe lower register beautiful, voice clear as a bell. I thought the musical arrangement was gorgeous, just right. This one had a very reverent feel to it which I think is how it should be sung.
#1- This one was good also. The high notes seemed a touch weak, but I enjoyed it very much. I liked the arrangement and the country touch that this one had. I usually like male voices on this song, but this one was good.
#6- This one was good also. I wish the orchestration would have backed off. I did like the feeling put into the lyrics, but I like a more simple presentation for this song.
#5- Also a good rendition and also drowned out by the orchestra. I felt like with the orchestra and choir there was way too much going on. It seemed to lose the emotion with everything else thrown in there.
#2- Way too breathy for me. Seemed like breath control was an issue. Also, I don’t care for all of the melisma and the high notes seemed weak. The choir just seemed odd.
#3- My least favorite. It sounded more like a march than a reverent hymn. No feeling, way too much going on in this one for my taste.
Will you let us know who all of the singers are?
#4 – best vocal and most traditional of all
#1 – ok but a bit shrill towards the end
#2 – like the voice but not the arrangement
#6 – weak voice and can’t understand some of the words
#5 – ok but music overpowers the voice
#3 – no
1 and 2 are too over the top for me. 3 is just irritating with the layered voice to try to hide vocal flaws. 4 sounds whiney and self satisfied. Sound quality on five is poor, but that’s not the singer’s fault. They sound good from what I can tell. 6 is subtle, and really the best performance of the bunch. So, rankings:
6
5
1
4
2
3
Number 4!!!! Thanks! Love these polls!
Definitely #4 (stunningly clear and beautiful range)
#2 ( could do without all the melisma, still good range)
#6 ( simplistic but okay sound)
#1 ( okay)
#5 (okay)
#3 ( don’t care for the musical arrangement or voicals)
Number 4 wins, hands down.
Your message here
sorry last one should be 3
I have to clarify something. I really thought #2 was someone else entirely until I was told who it was.
The person who is singing this song normally doesn’t sound quite that bad on other songs (although she does have breathing control issues all the time), but this rendition is just.not.good.at.all. Way too many vocal gymnastics and there is absolutely no need for it.
That is why I honestly thought it was someone else that I don’t think can (and ever has) sing to begin with. I was really shocked to find out that #2 was not this person.
4, 5, 1, 6, 2, 5
Number 4 has a beautiful and pure sound. Very emotive and the orchestration supported the vocals not compete with them.
Number 5 was more about the orchestra than the vocals. The message was lost. Way too over the top.
Number 6 was ok.
Number 1. Ok, for a Country sound. But I was not impressed.
Number 2. Too breathy and didn’t like her interpretation of a beautiful song.
Number 3. Too mechanical and without emotion. I couldn’t even finish listening to it.
From best to least: 4,5,6,1,2,3
I picked #1 and # 4 as the best, by far. I give the edge to #4.
Next is #5 and # 6, which I also think are a tie.
Number 2 is good, but I don’t care for the wobbly notes, and I don’t like the rock sound of #3 at all.
So 4,1,5,6,2,3.
#1 – has a nice quality, but a little too choppy, but nice
#2 – nice voice, tough to do a Capella but an admirable job! Not so thrilled with the phrasing and the runs. I kind of like it when the singer just sings notes (but that’s just me)
#3 – Just no, next!
#4 – Amazing range, I really like that the arrangement is relatively simple. The words aren’t lost in the production and the right amount of emotion is there – you feel this singer actually means what he’s singing.
#5 – a little off vocally, but it’s live so that makes a difference. I’m not sure I like the arrangement so much, too much orchestra and not enough vocal.
#6 – I like this one too, it’s also a very simple arrangement. The singer’s range isn’t quite as impressive as #4 but it’s pleasant to listen to. Not so thrilled with the phrasing, and some of the emotion is missing – almost not connecting with the words, but I could get over there
I would place them in this order
#4, #2, #1, #6, #5 and #3
(but I reserve the right to change my mind)
This is easy………
#4 is the best!!
Order……….4, 6, 5, 1, 2, 3
Number 4 is the best, by far. Such smooth vocals. I think I know who that is. Number 1 is ok. 5 might be ok if I could hear him sing. The music is much too loud. Hearing every inhale on number 2 was distracting. Hated the arrangement for number 3, and number 6 started out the song sounding like he was falling asleep.
. My order from best to last 4, 1, 5, 2, 6, 3
Ratings from best to worst.
#4 – absolute BEST. It is perfection. Clear, precise, beautiful voice control, Nothing over the top. A voice made to sing Christmas music.
#5 and #6 are about tied for 2nd place – nice parts of both songs. Some areas were a bit weak, but then other areas made up for the other weaker parts. So not too bad overall. I’d listen again.
#1 – nice sound. Wouldn’t be on repeat, but well done.
#2 & #3 – there are no words that really describe what they sound like but I’ll try.
#3 sounds like a bunch of neighborhood kids in a garage trying to take a classic, beautiful song and make it some edgy rock ballad by using Christmas lyrics. Doesn’t work.
#2 is putrid. Why anyone can think this woman can sing is beyond me! She has the worst breath control I’ve ever heard and she sings this song like she is going through Chinese torture. It’s painful.