Norma's new one...

Subject: RE: Norma's new one...
From: Callie
Date: 26 Oct 00 - 09:02 AM

Yes, you're quite right. I am schizophrenic. Part of me really likes her music. the other part of me hits the 'forward' button when there's a song where she sings particularly out of tune. Them's the breaks!

Subject: RE: Norma's new one...
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 26 Oct 00 - 05:33 AM

And Mozart did use an awful lot of notes...

Subject: RE: Norma's new one...
From: GUEST,Jane
Date: 26 Oct 00 - 05:20 AM

ahem...are there two Callies or...??? Didn't you say you enjoyed her singing?

Subject: RE: Norma's new one...
From: Callie
Date: 26 Oct 00 - 02:32 AM

She sings flat. Objective comment. Now if you like that, fine - but it doesn't change the fact. And it has nothing to do with non-traditional harmonies. It just means SINGING FLAT! I myself happen to find it irritating. Especially given that on the album in question, Eliza and Martin are perfectly in tune. Doesn't mean I don't value her art or longevity etc. I just don't like out-of-tune singing. I think it denotes kind of laziness, especially if the singer is well known and regarded. It's kind of like "oh well, this is close enough. No one will complain."

C'mon folks, have a close listen to "Lowlands of Holland" and tell me whether she's in tune!

Callie

Subject: RE: Norma's new one...
From: GUEST,Jane
Date: 25 Oct 00 - 01:55 PM

Thanks for your comments! It's interesting to hear the different opinions about Norma! I myself love listening to her (I own all three W:C albums and her first solo album) and after what I've heard so far I guess my Norma collection will expand!

Subject: RE: Norma's new one...
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 24 Oct 00 - 05:55 PM

Norma out of tune? You mean maybe perfectly in tune with a line the less priviledged cannot hear? Or is that just the emperor's new clothes?

Subject: RE: Norma's new one...
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 24 Oct 00 - 04:19 PM

"Her tendency to sing out of tune and swoop up to notes makes it almost unlistenable for me."

You know, that reminds me of Emperor Joseph telling Mozart that the trouble with his music was he used too many notes...

Subject: RE: Norma's new one...
From: GUEST,Kernow Jon
Date: 24 Oct 00 - 03:45 PM

Guest Jane
I had to go to London over the weekend but the one saving grace was a visit to a mega store with a great collection of folk CDs. Bought the one you mention and played it on the long drive back, loved every minute of it, for me much better than the last.
KJ

Subject: RE: Norma's new one...
From: Garry Gillard
Date: 24 Oct 00 - 07:59 AM

I announced my BSM page a week ago in this thread.

I think this recording is a near-perfect blend of literally traditional (as in learnt from other live singers) with sensitive musicianship (from all participants).

There may never be another like it.

Garry

Subject: RE: Norma's new one...
From: MartinRyan
Date: 24 Oct 00 - 06:29 AM

I remember hearing the Watersons in Dublin many years ago. Every so often Norma would go off on a strange harmony line of her own. There would be a moment of panic among the others - you can always tell when harmony groups are in trouble , by watching their eyes move! You could almost hear them mentally saying to themselves "Its only Norma. She'll be alright!", as they settled back...

Regards

Subject: RE: Norma's new one...
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 24 Oct 00 - 05:50 AM

I really like the strange keys & swooping - that's what I think makes her singing so special. Its funny how one man's meat is another man's poison.

Kris

Subject: RE: Norma's new one...
From: Callie
Date: 24 Oct 00 - 05:32 AM

I enjoy her singing and also admire the wide way she thinks about music - her definition of 'folk' is broad. Funny, I was just listening to her singing Elvis Costello's song "The Birds Will Still Be Singing" which she does wonderfully.

I am probably alone at being annoyed with the "Common Tongue" album - although I think the songs are very fine, her tendency to sing out of tune and swoop up to notes makes it almost unlistenable for me.

Haven't heard the new stuff.

C

Subject: RE: Norma's new one...
From: Wolfgang
Date: 24 Oct 00 - 04:12 AM

Well, no wonder with my traditional bias, I like it much better than her other solo attempts, but I still think she is a bit stronger in the context of a group, like on the Waterson/Carthy CDs. But some of the songs are outstanding in her interpretation. Well worth buying.

If you don't know the tracklist yet, here are all songs on that CD including notes and all lyrics:

Bright shiny morning

Wolfgang

Subject: Norma's new one...
From: GUEST,Jane
Date: 23 Oct 00 - 02:18 PM

To those of you who already had a chance to listen to it - what do you think about Norma Waterson's new traditional album "Bright Shiny Morning"?