OT: Rock bands and harmonies

by **youkeepmewaiting** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 12:06 pm

Who is your favourite?

Personally I think there is a rock band out there who did harmonies better than Queen. With three great singers in the band, each with ability to be able to front a band with their voices, they created some amazing harmonies. Some great stuff.

Obvisouly Journey did some good harmonies but no one near in the same ball park as Queen.

by **ProgRocker53** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 12:15 pm

Queen is an epic win with harmonies.

I also dig CSN(Y), Porcupine Tree, Journey, Styx, Cheap Trick, Pink Floyd, and Toto harmonies.

by **Andrew** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 12:22 pm

Harem Scarem
Night Ranger

by **Ehwmatt** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 12:22 pm

Queen's harmonies sometimes get on my nerves... they're astounding, but sometimes I just don't feel like hearing that style. Also, they never even came close to that level live. Great harmonies, but far from being the best ever in my book. I really like Journey, Leppard, CSN, Toto, America (often forgotten), Eagles, Yes, Survivor, Porcupine Tree, Ambrosia, Chicago, and Beach Boys harmonies... even if some of them are using some canned backing vox today, most of them are the real deal when it comes to belting out harmonies. Vocal harmonies are one of the toughest things to pull off live and I've got tons of respect for any band that consistently pulls off big 3+ part harmonies in concert.

by **Enigma869** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 12:23 pm

The Eagles win this one, HANDS DOWN!

John from Boston

by **youkeepmewaiting** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 12:27 pm

Live Queen pulled off the start of I Want It All the best I think.

Love the opening of that song.

Still sounds great with Paul Rodger doing it it. Rodger Taylor has a great voice.

by **Wally_Hatchet** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 12:29 pm

I read in an interview where someone from The Eagles said that the band w/ the best harmony vocals was...
the Little River Band.

I agree, with the Eagles and Boston a close 2nd & third.

by **Ehwmatt** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 12:29 pm

Wally_Hatchet wrote:I read in an interview where someone from The Eagles said that the band w/ the best harmony vocals was...
the Little River Band.

I agree, with the Eagles and Boston a close 2nd & third.

How the fuck did I forget them. LRB is incredible... check out the Birtles Shorrock & Goble Full Circle DVD

by **ProgRocker53** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 12:31 pm

I almost said Boston but aren't like 90% of their studio backing vocals just walls of Brads?

by **Ehwmatt** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 12:34 pm

ProgRocker53 wrote:I almost said Boston but aren't like 90% of their studio backing vocals just walls of Brads?

On the first couple albums, yeah. They couldn't pull it off in the early days live, but in the latter stages of their career Tom finally got some guys/girl in the band that could sing the backing vocals. Still impressive harmonies Brad laid down with himself. A lot of great bands did (and do) their harmonies this way... I'm pretty sure Asia's records were all Wetton singing, or mostly right? Don't have any of the CDs here at school with me to check the liner notes. Doesn't make the harmonies any less impressive, but it sucks when the band can't even come close to them live

by **ProgRocker53** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 12:38 pm

Ehwmatt wrote:
ProgRocker53 wrote:I almost said Boston but aren't like 90% of their studio backing vocals just walls of Brads?

On the first couple albums, yeah. They couldn't pull it off in the early days live, but in the latter stages of their career Tom finally got some guys/girl in the band that could sing the backing vocals. Still impressive harmonies Brad laid down with himself. A lot of great bands did (and do) their harmonies this way... I'm pretty sure Asia's records were all Wetton singing, or mostly right? Don't have any of the CDs here at school with me to check the liner notes. Doesn't make the harmonies any less impressive, but it sucks when the band can't even come close to them live

I DID notice multiple different, distinct voices in the mix on Corporate America. I couldn't get into Walk On so I haven't investigated it enough as I did CA.

I love Kimberly Dahme's voice. It sounds really good with the harmonies on the CA album..

by **Ehwmatt** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 12:42 pm

ProgRocker53 wrote:
Ehwmatt wrote:
ProgRocker53 wrote:I almost said Boston but aren't like 90% of their studio backing vocals just walls of Brads?

On the first couple albums, yeah. They couldn't pull it off in the early days live, but in the latter stages of their career Tom finally got some guys/girl in the band that could sing the backing vocals. Still impressive harmonies Brad laid down with himself. A lot of great bands did (and do) their harmonies this way... I'm pretty sure Asia's records were all Wetton singing, or mostly right? Don't have any of the CDs here at school with me to check the liner notes. Doesn't make the harmonies any less impressive, but it sucks when the band can't even come close to them live

I DID notice multiple different, distinct voices in the mix on Corporate America. I couldn't get into Walk On so I haven't investigated it enough as I did CA.

I love Kimberly Dahme's voice. It sounds really good with the harmonies on the CA album..

Corporate America isn't nearly as bad as advertised. Not up there with the debut or Don't Look Back, but certainly a pretty good album. I love how narrow-minded some AOR fans are - if it's not the exact tried and true sound they expect, its garbage. Fuck, I even think With You is one of the strongest songs on the album... having that signature Boston lead sound come in after a nice country ballad is a pretty cool effect in my book.

by **Rick** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 12:44 pm

Ehwmatt wrote:I love how narrow-minded some AOR fans are

I'm about as broad minded as a slice of bacon. :lol:

by **Ehwmatt** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 12:45 pm

Rick wrote:
Ehwmatt wrote:I love how narrow-minded some AOR fans are

I'm about as broad minded as a slice of bacon.

Yum.

by **ProgRocker53** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 12:47 pm

Ehwmatt wrote:
ProgRocker53 wrote:
Ehwmatt wrote:
ProgRocker53 wrote:I almost said Boston but aren't like 90% of their studio backing vocals just walls of Brads?

On the first couple albums, yeah. They couldn't pull it off in the early days live, but in the latter stages of their career Tom finally got some guys/girl in the band that could sing the backing vocals. Still impressive harmonies Brad laid down with himself. A lot of great bands did (and do) their harmonies this way... I'm pretty sure Asia's records were all Wetton singing, or mostly right? Don't have any of the CDs here at school with me to check the liner notes. Doesn't make the harmonies any less impressive, but it sucks when the band can't even come close to them live

I DID notice multiple different, distinct voices in the mix on Corporate America. I couldn't get into Walk On so I haven't investigated it enough as I did CA.

I love Kimberly Dahme's voice. It sounds really good with the harmonies on the CA album..

Corporate America isn't nearly as bad as advertised. Not up there with the debut or Don't Look Back, but certainly a pretty good album. I love how narrow-minded some AOR fans are - if it's not the exact tried and true sound they expect, its garbage. Fuck, I even think With You is one of the strongest songs on the album... having that signature Boston lead sound come in after a nice country ballad is a pretty cool effect in my book.

Corporate America is my 2nd favorite album by Boston. I doubt anything will ever change that. I massively dig the more experimental approach and the variety of different styles on the record. I find something new on it every time I listen, it seems.

by **Monker** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 12:48 pm

Wally_Hatchet wrote:I read in an interview where someone from The Eagles said that the band w/ the best harmony vocals was...
the Little River Band.

I agree, with the Eagles and Boston a close 2nd & third.

I was going to post that about LRB.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=XuSi9g7XoJY

I would also add Chicago.

by **Rockindeano** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 12:50 pm

Andrew wrote:Harem Scarem
Night Ranger

You need a vacation. In fact, if you are serious about this, just fucking retire already. Jesus Christ Andrew. Harem Scarem? Night Ranger? Dude, how about Invictiv, Alliance, Crown of Glory or House of Lords? House of Lords? Are you fucking serious? Good God Almighty.

Seriously Bro, just call it a career. Nice job but you have lost it.

John from Boston got it right.

Eagles hands down and then maybe Bon Jovi because they have two good singers.

by **ProgRocker53** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 12:52 pm

Rockindeano wrote:
Andrew wrote:Harem Scarem
Night Ranger

You need a vacation. In fact, if you are serious about this, just fucking retire already. Jesus Christ Andrew. Harem Scarem? Night Ranger? Dude, how about Invictiv, Alliance, Crown of Glory or House of Lords? House of Lords? Are you fucking serious? Good God Almighty.

Seriously Bro, just call it a career. Nice job but you have lost it.

John from Boston got it right.

Eagles hands down and then maybe Bon Jovi because they have two good singers.

What about Crazy Lixx or Saint Deamon? :lol:

by **squirt1** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 12:52 pm

Queen for me but Chicago had it too.

by **Rip Rokken** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 1:45 pm

Killer harmonies?.... ahem.....

by **Since 78** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 1:48 pm

Enigma869 wrote:The Eagles win this one, HANDS DOWN!

John from Boston

Absolutely the Best!

by **johnroxx** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 3:53 pm

Can't believe no one has mentioned the Beach Boys yet...

;^)

by **Maui Tom** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 3:57 pm

johnroxx wrote:Can't believe no one has mentioned the Beach Boys yet...

;^)

talk about hands down...

high five j roxx....

by **Andrew** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 4:07 pm

Rockindeano wrote:
Andrew wrote:Harem Scarem
Night Ranger

You need a vacation. In fact, if you are serious about this, just fucking retire already. Jesus Christ Andrew. Harem Scarem? Night Ranger? Dude, how about Invictiv, Alliance, Crown of Glory or House of Lords? House of Lords? Are you fucking serious? Good God Almighty.

Seriously Bro, just call it a career. Nice job but you have lost it.

John from Boston got it right.

Eagles hands down and then maybe Bon Jovi because they have two good singers.

It must be hard to be so righteous and perfect 24/7. How exhausting for you.

by **Andrew** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 4:09 pm

Monker wrote:
Wally_Hatchet wrote:I read in an interview where someone from The Eagles said that the band w/ the best harmony vocals was...
the Little River Band.

I agree, with the Eagles and Boston a close 2nd & third.

I was going to post that about LRB.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=XuSi9g7XoJY

I would also add Chicago.

Saw LRB (or should I say BSG) last year...still amzing and still note for not perfect. And today Graham Goble sent me his new solo album in the mail. Met him backstage at Toto in March. Sounds pretty smooth as expected.

by **mistiejourney** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 4:23 pm

youkeepmewaiting wrote:Who is your favourite?

Personally I think there is a rock band out there who did harmonies better than Queen. With three great singers in the band, each with ability to be able to front a band with their voices, they created some amazing harmonies. Some great stuff.

Obvisouly Journey did some good harmonies but no one near in the same ball park as Queen.

Three Dog Night and the Bee Gees. Yeah, I'm old school, but man those harmonies were something else. TDN was different in that the singers were all different in style yet blended beautifully. The Bee Gees, when singing together, were so hard to pick apart. I can do it now, after 34 years, pretty easily. Must be a family thing. Queen was so strong vocally - I appreciated that more when I realized how good the other guys were!

by **AlteredDNA** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 4:27 pm

While not officially "rock", Little Big Town have the best harmonies I have heard in a long, long time...

by **mistiejourney** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 4:41 pm

AlteredDNA wrote:While not officially "rock", Little Big Town have the best harmonies I have heard in a long, long time...

Actually, in the country area, I love "Diamond Rio"'s harmonies!

by **yulog** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 5:00 pm

johnroxx wrote:Can't believe no one has mentioned the Beach Boys yet...

;^)

They were mentioned 17 posts up.

by **piecesofeight** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 6:18 pm

Stryper..especially on stuff like..Calling On You..Oz too has an amazing voice..but since Tim left..it's not quite as good..Michael, Oz and Tim could really throw some harmonies down together..

MR

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