R.E.S.P.E.C.T - The Art of Backing Vocals

[Riklaa]

R.E.S.P.E.C.T - The Art of Backing Vocals Sat 23 May 2009, 10:30 Nick Barraclough delves into the world of backing vocalists, from the fluffy 50s to the stunning sophistication of today's jazzers, the innovations brought by The Beatles and The Beach Boys and the multi-tracked world of Joni Mitchell and The Carpenters. A Smooth Operations production for BBC Radio 4. 128/44; 25 MB; sound quality excellent from The Independent: In R.E.S.P.E.C.T - The Art of Backing Vocals, Nick Barraclough promised to "expose the flying buttresses and gargoyles of songs you thought you knew". I'm not sure he quite did that, though he did usefully explore how backing vocals are layered for maximum effect - sometimes by the same person singing in different styles - and how there's a direct line from Elizabethan fa-la-las and "Sumer is icumen in" to rama-lama-ding-dong and bop-showaddy-waddy. And, best of all, in exploring a few great examples of the art, such as "Leader of the Pack" and "Midnight Train ...", he made you listen to old songs with new ears. -- Chris Maume

doc 090523 R.E.S.P.E.C.T.-The Art of Backing Vocals.mp3

[Robert Flood]

Thanks Rick for another great offering.

Bob

[Lesa Williams]

At last !  Accolades to the under-recognized background singer !!  Thank you so much for posting this one...

[Riklaa]

The background singers deserve much appreciation, for without them the selection would lack substance and depth.

I have a friend who is not a singer but a professional musician,  He played backup for many of the greats we remember.  Although he does not do it anymore, some of his reminisces are amazing.  Thank you for my accolade for posting it LOL.  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  Rick

[Ron Larocque]

Awesome Rick! The whole band,and especially our lead singer will have to hear this one! - Ron L.