Eddie's singing

AS362087

I have been PJ's fan for the last 20 years. Like most of you guys I just love to get as many bootlegs as I can afford. The thing is that I can't help to notice that since 2009 Eddie's singing experienced a huge downfall. He can't reach those high notes anymore nor can he transmit that sweetness that reached me every time.

I understand that the years go on and that inevitably a singer's voice wears out but I think Eddie's cigarrette smoking has a lot to do with it. I don't pretend to lecture on the subject or anything like it. I just wanted to let Eddie know,if he happens to read this and if he happens to care, that some fans would love to be thrilled again by his unique sharp vocal performances

Cheers

derfotoapparat

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ilockyer

derfotoapparat wrote:

All bootlegs since 2009 were poorly mixed. I always thought the same like you do, but I noticed something. I listened to Yellow Ledbetter from the 2010 Berlin show and compared it to Yellow Ledbetter from Live On Ten Legs, which is from that show. While in the Berlin bootleg Eddie sounds really shitty, he sounds fine on LOTL. Maybe they should just get someone else to do the bootlegs.

The bootleg's are a difficult balance act for Pearl Jam/Kufala. They want them to sound as good as possible, yet within 5 minutes of a tour ending, people are here bitching about the bootlegs not being out. I'd rather wait longer for superior product, but so many people want things immediately....

AS362087

derfotoapparat wrote:

All bootlegs since 2009 were poorly mixed. I always thought the same like you do, but I noticed something. I listened to Yellow Ledbetter from the 2010 Berlin show and compared it to Yellow Ledbetter from Live On Ten Legs, which is from that show. While in the Berlin bootleg Eddie sounds really shitty, he sounds fine on LOTL. Maybe they should just get someone else to do the bootlegs.

I agree with you about the bootled mix. I think that definitely has something to do with it, but I also feel the same way about Backspacer and Ukelele songs. I took vocal lessons for 5 years and I still think Eddie's got it, he has a beautiful voice. But there are also certain songs with some key moments (at least for me) where he just fails to deliver. I am talking about Nothingman, Smile, In hiding, Red Mosquito and else.

As a big fan it would just make me happy if he takes some corrective measures about it. I know many fans would enjoy his singing more

dasvidana

I'm no fan of smoking (and wish he would quit), but his voice sounded as smooth as butter during his solo tour.

PushinPaint

2009 was the worst year yet.

BUT

He bounced back bigtime in 2010. Kansas City was the best show I have seen (out of 2008,2009, and 2010) and Boston 2010 he sounds awesome. Seriously..but, there are certain parts of certain songs that he can't hit. that is true. But 2010 was great and I'm optimistic. (As well as solo - saw him in 2008 and 2011 - 2011 is best).

E.K

Not sure what you mean. It sounded wonderful to me when he toured here in March .. so rich, deep and beautiful. I could listen to it all day.

AS362087

AS362087 wrote:

derfotoapparat wrote:

All bootlegs since 2009 were poorly mixed. I always thought the same like you do, but I noticed something. I listened to Yellow Ledbetter from the 2010 Berlin show and compared it to Yellow Ledbetter from Live On Ten Legs, which is from that show. While in the Berlin bootleg Eddie sounds really shitty, he sounds fine on LOTL. Maybe they should just get someone else to do the bootlegs.

I agree with you about the bootled mix. I think that definitely has something to do with it, but I also feel the same way about Backspacer and Ukelele songs. I took vocal lessons for 5 years and I still think Eddie's got it, he has a beautiful voice. But there are also certain songs with some key moments (at least for me) where he just fails to deliver. I am talking about Nothingman, Smile, In hiding, Red Mosquito and else.

As a big fan it would just make me happy if he takes some corrective measures about it. I know many fans would enjoy his singing more

I think the issue is basically about self-criticism and will. He only has to compare how he sounded in 5-10 years ago and how he does now. He still sounds great but it is evident the effect of smoking on his tone and his agitation.

Then he would have to care about it

ikiT

My Bristow 2010 bootleg sounds much better than the actual show sounded, which was beyond harsh and quite shrill at times. The volume was good, but the LIVE mix was all over the place. The singalong Elderly Woman that was the opener sounded much different there than it does on the CD. Ed;s singing on that version is spirited, INTO it, and VERY nice if you haven't heard it.

Eddie's singing is fine.

I'llridethewave

Only he knows how much he smokes 'em but they definitely wreak havoc on the sensitive tissue of the vocal cords... they are his second set of family jewels! I have thought about the health of his vocal cords a lot (b/c his voice resonates with me like no other and I studied voice therapy). Listening to boots over and over I am constantly amazed at how strong his voice is even at the end of a tour. No doubt he has dropped in pitch...happens as we age....listening to Trouble on YouTube from '96 compared to Trouble from Water on the Road- the difference is striking.

PJ212

This solo tour made me think that he's got everything under control now. I was concerned that his voice was giving out back in 2009 too.

Lanternjaw

I might be dating myself a bit (hey -- I'm only turning 40) but it was common practice for some artists to chain-smoke to develop their voices as recently as the 80's. Robert Palmer (RIP) was on record for doing such a thing.... as well as John Cougar, if I'm not mistaken.

No point, really, but I'm a bigger fan of Eddie's voice today than in 1992 when I first saw the PJ. He used to give a vibratto to his voice that was very contrived and now he sings.

Just one man's opinion... but he has a much richer voice today than he did when he was younger, perhaps without the falsetto ranges. Regardless - one of the best rock vocalists ever.

bootlegger10

PJ212 wrote:

This solo tour made me think that he's got everything under control now. I was concerned that his voice was giving out back in 2009 too.

His voice fits his solo stuff. I think he has some trouble on the PJ side of things hitting all of the notes.

AS362087

bootlegger10 wrote:

PJ212 wrote:

This solo tour made me think that he's got everything under control now. I was concerned that his voice was giving out back in 2009 too.

His voice fits his solo stuff. I think he has some trouble on the PJ side of things hitting all of the notes.

I agree. Even the lates PJ stuff it's made to fit his voice. There are some old songs where the difference is more evident than others (the Vitalogy/No code/Yield era). The high and powerful vibration of songs such as Given to Fly, Smile, In hiding, Tremor Christ and Nothingman amongst others seems to be obscured by what feels like the smoker's veil.

Still he is the greatest, I just miss the unique feeling his voice used to have

pandora

dasvidana wrote:

I'm no fan of smoking (and wish he would quit), but his voice sounded as smooth as butter during his solo tour.

ditto

so beautiful ... better than ever

My speaking voice changes with my mood.
You can tell in my voice when I am stressed, off physically, sad, happy, angry,
disappointed etc

I answer the phone... one word and my kids say.... whats wrong Mom?
I the same for them.

I am no singer but feel sometimes this can happen to the most trained
artists with their singing voices.

I think this a good thing, I like the emotion factor and being a part of the emotional
state of that particular performance.

On top of this Eddie should have been an actor... with so many songs he just brings the
emotion required to feel the song.

He is all good for me and then some...
should I dare use the word perfection? I think so