Don't you hate it when singers just can't seem to duplicate their studio sound live, or worse, just can't seem to even sing at all?

Neko Case is one of my favorite singers, because she can, you know SING!

Here’s a funny interview with her
“And if Celine Dion is supposedly the great singer that she says she is why is there auto tune on every f~~king word in her songs? Can’t you just hit it, Celine? Do you have another baby book to shoot? You gotta paint your baby to look like a pot of peas? What are you doing that you can’t be singing in the studio? It’s your f~~king job!”

When I was young, younger and not quite as old as I am now, the lament of the middle aged, it was really something to see a band or performer live, it was an experience exponentially better than the studio album. I was never, ever disappointed by a live performance, well maybe once when the performer was so drunk she kept falling off her chair, but that was part of the live thing. I think there a certainly many performers where the live performance is a different, but sometimes better than listening to the recordings.

I kind of like a difference between the live and studio versions of a song. I don’t like it when the studio version is so full of gimmicks it’s impossible to reproduce. Some of those songs are ok. Especially the pop ones. If they can’t play the song they should just leave it on wax.

@evandad I hear you – I like it when they change it up when it’s live. I mean those who really can’t sing for their life – the lipsyncing even sucks.

I got dragged to a Janet Jackson concert in my youth. I’d said no, but he begged, though, and paid for my ticket. I told my “benefactor” straight up that I didn’t want to go because I knew she couldn’t sing and that that would ruin my enjoyment. I don’t care how well a performer dances. If they’re famous enough, chances are I’ll be too far away to really appreciate what they’re doing. But I can hear singing.

All of the performers I like are capable of recording without using auto-tune and singing in public without a recorded backup.

I’m disappointed to know that Roland Gift can’t sing so well in public. I heard Whitney was horrible during her concert in London a fortnight ago, as well.

Yes. Way too many bands sound crappy live. David Bowie, Depeche Mode, REO Speedwagon spring to mind as bands that sounded great live. So did Aerosmith. Do any of you even know who they are?

@Trillian and, of course, Springsteen! What an amazing live performer. So much. much, much better live. And the studio albums are pretty damn good.

@lillycoyote Abomination. Yes.But I thought Born in the USA and everything after was an abomination. He “went mainstream” and I’ve never forgiven him.
Remember the lovely piano piece in the back of him singing “Screendoor slams, Mary in a dress waits. Like a vision she dances across the porch as the radio plays. Roy Orbison singin’ for the lonely, he that’s me and I want you only…”
Sigh.
I need to get another copy of that disc. Tenth Avenue Freeze Out was on that one too.

@Trillian Oops! I edited my response and took out the part that said: For Springsteen to even consider lip synching is an abomination to rock and roll”, hence your reference but yes, I had the opportunity to see him in concert in the early years, Born in The U.S.A and before and those are some of the best, absolutely the best concerts I have ever, ever, been to. And when Rosalita comes on the radio in the care I turn it up loud enough to deafen everyone around me and I drive a little faster, or maybe a lot faster and feel timeless. :)

Well to be honest, I don’t really care what they sound like live. Its not like I’ll be absolutely crushed that this person isn’t exactly what they sound like on the radio (not to mention the fact that I don’t go to concerts).
The rappers are usually great, though. I don’t understand why a rapper would need to sing well.

@meagan If you don’t go to concerts, then you wouldn’t care – right? And as for rappers – you missed the part about rhythm in my details, which is essential. And rappers do sing, so if they were off-key – it’d suck, too.

[mod says] A gentle reminder, folks. This question is in the General Section. Responses must be helpful and on-topic.

@meagan Live can also be on TV – i.e. a live concert taped. My kids love rap, and I see/hear quite a bit as a result. I’m also partial to some Eminem, Akon and Usher.

Auggie says: Gah! I hate the fact that there are so many ‘singers’ who can’t sing. It makes me crazy! I think studio editing has almost ruined an entire generation of people’s ability to appreciate really good music. Shouldn’t singing well be a prerequisite in order to get a recording contract in the first place? This is exactly why I always preferred Christina Aguilera to Britney Spears when they first hit the radio. C.A. can sing, while B.S. lip-syncs.

Ok, I sound like an old lady now. There are many good singers out today, and studio editing does have its place. I just don’t think it should take the place of talent. :)

That’s exactly what I’m talking about @augustlan – espcially good example with Aguilera vs. Britney.

Oh it’s very disappointing when that happens.

I know a lot of people hate her, but Stefani Germanotta can sing, for all her crazy getups. I did catch a few minutes of her at this year’s Grammys on the telly, and she held her own against Sir Elton, bless.