Clarence Bekker Milton, one of the best singers I've ever worked with, turns up in a new documentary, "Playing for Change", singing "Stand by Me" with a bunch of other vocalists. He's about the third singer a minute 50 into the clip.

Singers? Check these guys out.

www.a-lyric.com/archives/whatever-happened-to-cb-milton/


M

Impressive power Mike but to me this illustrates the difference between vocal ability and interpretive ability and the first often dominates by volume and power rather as the awful Carey impresses by technique where Ben E King interpreted.

I think the recent example of stunning interpretation was Eva Cassidy. Her treatments of Rainbow and Fields were master classes of how you don't need power or skill - just soul.

I know what you're saying. Although on this, I feel there's a certain degree of the singers trying to out-perform each other, Clarence sang pure Europop and recently had a hit in Spain with dance tune "Shine on Me". He also consistently brings audiences to their knees (which of course you can't see on this vid).

He does have a big voice, but then so did Barry White and Tom Jones. I really like the voice of the second guy, the little old man with the beard.

But look at it from my point of view. Who do you want to sing your words: a spotty wannabe that thinks ability is measured by the skimpiness of her skirt (or size of his ego) or someone that can milk the sucker, that has spent a decade working their voices. Believe me, it's a humbling experience working with real singers. And there are not that many of them out there.

I do agree Mike but it's not always age that brings interpretation. Though life experience can help, age also damages the vocal chords. I remember seeing Sinatra in concert near the end of his life in concert in Australia and he was awful, missing notes, stumbling... (he hated my negative review in the Sun).

As it happens I really don't like the old white bearded guy's interpretation - I find it lazy and dull and lacking in feeling.

I think the two most interesting renditions of my lyrics were by Nina Simone and Marlene Dietrich - both totally different, both fascinating, both from their hearts.