Ed's voice on the 2012 boots

green_girl

He sounds great to me on the Amsterdam bootleg. And he sounded great in Atlanta. What everyone's probably hearing is the effect of 10,000 people hijacking a song and singing it off-key. How he manages to sing anything right amid all that shows how talented he is! Betterman and Alive are long gone, but please people, let the man keep SOME of his songs, especially Release. Especially Release!

Rozbr

I love the band...love ed's voice.....i don't care about anything.....

When i listen to them it seems i'm in heaven everytime.....

HailRoad24

Denial is a wonderful thing. His voice is pretty much toasted. I am not delusional in thinking he will scream like it's the 90's. What I would hope would be that he could make it through a song without all of the cheesy vocal inflections, croaks, and squeeks. Sadly, he can't and a lot of the songs are quite painful to listen to. His last good tour was 2006. After that, the weird inflections started. It's like he has completely lost control of his voice

green_girl

HailRoad24 wrote:

Denial is a wonderful thing. His voice is pretty much toasted. I am not delusional in thinking he will scream like it's the 90's. What I would hope would be that he could make it through a song without all of the cheesy vocal inflections, croaks, and squeeks. Sadly, he can't and a lot of the songs are quite painful to listen to. His last good tour was 2006. After that, the weird inflections started. It's like he has completely lost control of his voice

I'm pretty sure that vibrato thing is a vocal technique he's doing on purpose; I think he's in total control of his voice. After a while, being a creative person, he just needs to change sh!t up.
Someone should ask him about that next time they're waiting for him after a show!

PJ_Soul

HailRoad24 wrote:

Denial is a wonderful thing. His voice is pretty much toasted. I am not delusional in thinking he will scream like it's the 90's. What I would hope would be that he could make it through a song without all of the cheesy vocal inflections, croaks, and squeeks. Sadly, he can't and a lot of the songs are quite painful to listen to. His last good tour was 2006. After that, the weird inflections started. It's like he has completely lost control of his voice

I think that's a bit of a crazy thing to say. We all have brains and ears. He hasn't lost control of his voice - he's making decisions on what he sounds like; as far as I can tell, there is only one note that he isn't pulling off well. The rest is just what he sounds like while in control. If you just don't happen to like how he sounds, that isn't the same as him losing control. It's just a matter of taste (and if you think he sounds so bad, why are you still in the fan club?). And I love listening to all of his songs - the opposite of painful. It's kind of ridiculous to say that all of his fans are in denial. :roll:

HailRoad24

Sorry to hurt your feelings so much, but to say he sounds great these days is pretty fucking comical. He has gone down hill dramatically from 2007-2012. His voice now sounds terrible with all of the quavering and breathiness. His voice cracks and it sounds like he is choking out notes on a lot of songs. By losing control, I think when he opens his mouth on a lot of songs, I get the feeling he has no idea how it's going to sound. The guy is close to 50 and age, touring, smoking, and drinking have a good bit to do with the decline, but to say he sounds great today as compared to the 2000-2006 period is laughable. It's a good bit of denial on a significant part of the fans these days. People have a hard time admitting that the end of PJ is getting closer. And please, piss on your "Why are you even in the fan club?" crap. I've been around since 95 and seen them through some great times. I can say now is not one of those.

sward

The negativity around his voice is interesting to me in that I was recently thinking how great he was sounding. Different ears different perspective I guess. I'm happy with how they are sounding 20 years later but certainly don't begrudge someone thinking otherwise.

PJ_Soul

HailRoad24 wrote:

Sorry to hurt your feelings so much, but to say he sounds great these days is pretty fucking comical. He has gone down hill dramatically from 2007-2012. His voice now sounds terrible with all of the quavering and breathiness. His voice cracks and it sounds like he is choking out notes on a lot of songs. By losing control, I think when he opens his mouth on a lot of songs, I get the feeling he has no idea how it's going to sound. The guy is close to 50 and age, touring, smoking, and drinking have a good bit to do with the decline, but to say he sounds great today as compared to the 2000-2006 period is laughable. It's a good bit of denial on a significant part of the fans these days. People have a hard time admitting that the end of PJ is getting closer. And please, piss on your "Why are you even in the fan club?" crap. I've been around since 95 and seen them through some great times. I can say now is not one of those.

You haven't hurt my feelings. I think he sounds great. No one has claimed that his voice hasn't changed. I guess it's just a matter of whether or not you like the change. I do a LOT. I think he sounds GREAT. I've listened to a good number of the boots from this year, and was in MT, and he sounds Amazing! If you find that comical, I guess I'm glad I could make you laugh? I don't begrudge people not liking it either, but I do not feel so hot about people saying that those who do like it are in denial or have no idea what they're talking about. I ask why you're in the fan club just because it strikes me as strange to pay to be in one where the artists' CURRENT work is what you're getting as a benefit for that money. Tickets for their shows, current recordings, etc. Ummm, so piss on that?

mca47

I saw him on his solo tour this year and he did sound very solid!

With PJ, it has gotten quite bad since around '06. Eventually, I think if PJ wants to keep going they may have to consider slowing it down...and perhaps put some songs away for good.

CharlieP

I don´t understand this discussion really. Ed has a baritone voice that can resist the decline of age better than a tenor voice - example: Chris Cornell.
Of course his voice changes a bit - he´s getting older!
But I´m still amazed by the very few mistakes he makes when listening to the boots. Considering the amount of songs and the audience sing-along. He still pulls it off!

I gotta agree that he sounds a bit exhausted sometimes on the fast songs but that is more a Cameron problem in my ears....

Btw, only place he really sounds off key in recent years is in 'Mother' which is kind of funny since it´s a pretty simple note. Anyone noticed that? During the verses, he often doesn´t get the 'for me' - 'to me' right. Pretty hilarious '

However, Ed is in full control as always.

PJ_Soul

CharlieP wrote:

I don´t understand this discussion really. Ed has a baritone voice that can resist the decline of age better than a tenor voice - example: Chris Cornell.
Of course his voice changes a bit - he´s getting older!
But I´m still amazed by the very few mistakes he makes when listening to the boots. Considering the amount of songs and the audience sing-along. He still pulls it off!

I gotta agree that he sounds a bit exhausted sometimes on the fast songs but that is more a Cameron problem in my ears....

Btw, only place he really sounds off key in recent years is in 'Mother' which is kind of funny since it´s a pretty simple note. Anyone noticed that? During the verses, he often doesn´t get the 'for me' - 'to me' right. Pretty hilarious '

However, Ed is in full control as always.

Well, according to HailRoad, you are just in denial.

HailRoad24

PJ_Soul wrote:

HailRoad24 wrote:

Sorry to hurt your feelings so much, but to say he sounds great these days is pretty fucking comical. He has gone down hill dramatically from 2007-2012. His voice now sounds terrible with all of the quavering and breathiness. His voice cracks and it sounds like he is choking out notes on a lot of songs. By losing control, I think when he opens his mouth on a lot of songs, I get the feeling he has no idea how it's going to sound. The guy is close to 50 and age, touring, smoking, and drinking have a good bit to do with the decline, but to say he sounds great today as compared to the 2000-2006 period is laughable. It's a good bit of denial on a significant part of the fans these days. People have a hard time admitting that the end of PJ is getting closer. And please, piss on your "Why are you even in the fan club?" crap. I've been around since 95 and seen them through some great times. I can say now is not one of those.

You haven't hurt my feelings. I think he sounds great. No one has claimed that his voice hasn't changed. I guess it's just a matter of whether or not you like the change. I do a LOT. I think he sounds GREAT. I've listened to a good number of the boots from this year, and was in MT, and he sounds Amazing! If you find that comical, I guess I'm glad I could make you laugh? I don't begrudge people not liking it either, but I do not feel so hot about people saying that those who do like it are in denial or have no idea what they're talking about. I ask why you're in the fan club just because it strikes me as strange to pay to be in one where the artists' CURRENT work is what you're getting as a benefit for that money. Tickets for their shows, current recordings, etc. Ummm, so piss on that?

He sounds great? :roll:

I have followed this band for 17 years and this is the worst I've seen them. I have a little bit of objectivity in me to sit back and actually say, they were great for about 16 years, but for the past 5-6, they've been mailing it in and Eddie's voice can't handle PJ songs on a full tour. Tell you what, pick a song Ed used to nail in his sleep (say Animal) from 2006 and then from 2012 and compare them. If you can say the version from 2012 is better than the 2006 with a straight face you may hear me laughing all the way up in Canada.

It was a good run, but they should seriously think about calling it quits before they become a parody of themselves. I've enjoyed my spot in the fan club and this will probably be my last year. I've enjoyed the perks, bought multiple full tours on bootlegs, seen multiple shows, and gotten plenty of merchandise, but the standard of music from them over the past 6 years has been pretty subpar.

PJ_Soul

HailRoad24 wrote:

PJ_Soul wrote:

HailRoad24 wrote:

Sorry to hurt your feelings so much, but to say he sounds great these days is pretty fucking comical. He has gone down hill dramatically from 2007-2012. His voice now sounds terrible with all of the quavering and breathiness. His voice cracks and it sounds like he is choking out notes on a lot of songs. By losing control, I think when he opens his mouth on a lot of songs, I get the feeling he has no idea how it's going to sound. The guy is close to 50 and age, touring, smoking, and drinking have a good bit to do with the decline, but to say he sounds great today as compared to the 2000-2006 period is laughable. It's a good bit of denial on a significant part of the fans these days. People have a hard time admitting that the end of PJ is getting closer. And please, piss on your "Why are you even in the fan club?" crap. I've been around since 95 and seen them through some great times. I can say now is not one of those.

You haven't hurt my feelings. I think he sounds great. No one has claimed that his voice hasn't changed. I guess it's just a matter of whether or not you like the change. I do a LOT. I think he sounds GREAT. I've listened to a good number of the boots from this year, and was in MT, and he sounds Amazing! If you find that comical, I guess I'm glad I could make you laugh? I don't begrudge people not liking it either, but I do not feel so hot about people saying that those who do like it are in denial or have no idea what they're talking about. I ask why you're in the fan club just because it strikes me as strange to pay to be in one where the artists' CURRENT work is what you're getting as a benefit for that money. Tickets for their shows, current recordings, etc. Ummm, so piss on that?

He sounds great? :roll:

I have followed this band for 17 years and this is the worst I've seen them. I have a little bit of objectivity in me to sit back and actually say, they were great for about 16 years, but for the past 5-6, they've been mailing it in and Eddie's voice can't handle PJ songs on a full tour. Tell you what, pick a song Ed used to nail in his sleep (say Animal) from 2006 and then from 2012 and compare them. If you can say the version from 2012 is better than the 2006 with a straight face you may hear me laughing all the way up in Canada.

It was a good run, but they should seriously think about calling it quits before they become a parody of themselves. I've enjoyed my spot in the fan club and this will probably be my last year. I've enjoyed the perks, bought multiple full tours on bootlegs, seen multiple shows, and gotten plenty of merchandise, but the standard of music from them over the past 6 years has been pretty subpar.

:fp: Dude. I've been a fan for 21 years, and listen to PJ music from every part of their career on a daily basis. I'll listen to a studio album or a boot from 94 and a 2012 boot on the same day. I know what it sounds like then and now. I didn't say he sounds the same, bit I think he still sounds GREAT. I loved how he sounded then, and love how he sounds now. I enjoy it equally. Why can't just believe me and respect that I think he still sounds really good, albeit not exactly the same, instead of trying to laugh at me? Geeeez. :roll:

The only thing I wish he and the band would do now is play some of their weirder or experimental stuff. I keep hearing them talk about hiwbthey do still create more experimental music together, but, quoted from Jeff, "it never sees the light of day," and apparently it's because they're hung up on the idea that too many people won't dig it during shows. I think they should just go for it and pull out some weirdness once in a while without worrying what the crowd thinks.

doompony

i heard a recording of him singing cat power's good woman in amsterdam where he sings the absolute bejesus out of it and thought to myself that he was sounding amazing. he did himself and the song justice.

CrookedTom

i_lov_it wrote:

I like how ED Sounded on the *2003* tour the BEST...:)

Yeah, you're right. He was bang on in 2003, however the band was sloppy, so many botch ups
on the boots. Also touring a badly selling, rather average Riot Act album probably was a little flat.
Also Cameron is drowned out on most of the boots which bothers me.

PJ_Soul

CrookedTom wrote:

i_lov_it wrote:

I like how ED Sounded on the *2003* tour the BEST...:)

Yeah, you're right. He was bang on in 2003, however the band was sloppy, so many botch ups
on the boots. Also touring a badly selling, rather average Riot Act album probably was a little flat.
Also Cameron is drowned out on most of the boots which bothers me.

:shock: Please don't diss Riot Act - It hurts me inside. :nono:

McNairn

These threads are seriously annoying. "I've been a fan for blah blah blah years...it's the smoking... I wish Ed would stop drinking,,his voice has gone downhill since 2003"
how about "If I were Ed's Grandmother I'd be dissapointed in him"
I see a lot of concerts and Ed's voice is disgustingly good and better that anyone half his age. His solo shows are very close to perfect.
So Ed can't sing Blood every night - you try to sing it - once. Ok that's too hard. How about just singing the first line of the chorus once. Good luck
Maybe I am just attending shows that happen to be freaking amazing. I guess I must be just fortunate that way.

Ledbetterdays

I think the thing for me is that at the shows it is still good enough. It still reminds me of the past, but it is on the bootlegs where the decline shows through. I really can't listen to the current bootlegs anymore. They put his voice so up front and it is rough sometimes. His voice sounded beautiful on the solo tour so I think it is a matter of the energy required of a rock show on a 50 year old man, damage done to the vocals, dropping the tuning, and sometimes Ed is very drunk, stoned or both. Most importantly, it is that they play all different songs every night and instead of mastering a cookie cutter setlist, he has to do his best on the spot to make it work. Springsteen uses a teleprompter with lyrics. Ed just uses that old brain of his and sometimes he forgets and could use some more practice on a song.

ForceofNature101

HailRoad24 wrote:

Sorry to hurt your feelings so much, but to say he sounds great these days is pretty fucking comical. He has gone down hill dramatically from 2007-2012. His voice now sounds terrible with all of the quavering and breathiness. His voice cracks and it sounds like he is choking out notes on a lot of songs. By losing control, I think when he opens his mouth on a lot of songs, I get the feeling he has no idea how it's going to sound. The guy is close to 50 and age, touring, smoking, and drinking have a good bit to do with the decline, but to say he sounds great today as compared to the 2000-2006 period is laughable. It's a good bit of denial on a significant part of the fans these days. People have a hard time admitting that the end of PJ is getting closer. And please, piss on your "Why are you even in the fan club?" crap. I've been around since 95 and seen them through some great times. I can say now is not one of those.

Hyperbolize much

Ed's fine, it isn't that dramatic. He sounds decent on the boots and is putting on a great show still. I honestly have no idea what the "end of PJ is getting closer" dribble is about.

southernmanfan

sward wrote:

The negativity around his voice is interesting to me in that I was recently thinking how great he was sounding. Different ears different perspective I guess. I'm happy with how they are sounding 20 years later but certainly don't begrudge someone thinking otherwise.

Yeah I agree :thumbup: