And on unison vocals...
Posted by Azeem on 31 July 2008 - 3:53pm.
I've just listened to Cock Robin's big hit The Promise You Made again on youtube. I love this song. There's something wonderful about the groove, and some lovely, hypnotic stuff going on in the background, presumably courtesy of producer Steve Hillage.
Anyway, one of the unusual things about it is that the two voices are singing in unison, an octave apart; at no point in the song is there any harmony. Somehow, it works, partly because the voices are so different, his very smooth, hers with a delicious edge.
I was trying to think of other bands who use this sort of unison singing; obviously, Squeeze spring to mind - is there anyone else?
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Steve Miller - "Serenade"
Here you go (and further proof that all blogs merge into one in the end):
A pedant writes
Great clip, Archie, and they certainly start in unison, but around 1:30 some vocal harmonies kick in. I'm struggling to think of anyone Azeem hasn't mentioned. A little voice at the back of my head is saying Prefab Sprout, but whether it's saying it in unison or in harmony with the objective truth I lack the energy to investigate. (Still struggling with this summer cold.)
Nice blog-meld, by the way.
Prefab Sprout may be a good call
I can't swear to it, but from memory I think Wendy Smith did tend to sing the same notes, although at least she sang them after Paddy - and not in that infuriating way Brian Kennedy followed Van Morrison, either. Although she was somewhat derided, I do think her voice added something worthwhile to the overall sound.
I
do, too.
Looking for Clues
OK, it's Robert Palmer and Robert Palmer doing the octaves, but it's the best I can think of. Here:
Double-click and it's there!
And I strongly suspect it was Steve M and S Miller on Archie's, so no worries.
Sod unison, here's some harmonies.....