Pop stars: singers with unusual voices. Singers with low voices

“Once upon a time, in the early 80s of the last century, as an “inheritance” from my sister, who entered a university in another city, I received a cassette without any identifying marks. Several songs were recorded on it, performed by an Italian woman with an inimitable in a hoarse voice. Years have passed... This cassette has been gone for a long time. And so... when I got my own computer, I had a goal - to restore my old music library. With great difficulty and trial and error, I realized that it was Mia Martini's 1982 album "Quante volte...ho contato le stelle". At that time, the popularity of the Italian stage was at its peak. But even then, as a teenager, I realized that this was something else. These are not those hackneyed Italian hits with three chords like songs by Albano, Pupo or Ricci and Poveri (although I really like them too). Mia's songs are to some extent symphonic works in a modern (at that time) arrangement. An amazing voice with a bewitching hoarseness, unusual transitions from one topic to another, and an unprecedented explosion of emotions in each song. It's a pity that she is not with us now. Although no, she is still with us along with her songs. And it will live as long as we listen to it. And my favorite song by Mia is “Io appartengo a te” (I belong to you).”

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Singer and composer Mia Martini, real name Domenica Berte, was born in Calabria Bagnara, September 20, 1947.

Father, Giuseppe Radames Berte (1921), professor of Latin and Greek, who later became director of the school, mother Maria Salvina Dato, primary school teacher, died in 2003.
Her childhood was spent in Macerata in Porto Recanati, with her parents and her three sisters Loredana, Leda and Oliva. The second oldest of the sisters, she always loved to sing, listened to music and early years started performing locally folk festivals, participated in several competitions for young talents.
In 1962, fifteen-year-old Mimi (diminutive of Domenica ) convinced her mother to take her to Milan to look for a music label that would take over her future career.
Mia Martini, a very smart girl who also has a lively and promising voice, was signed by the Juke Box label.

In 1963, Mimi recorded her first single, "I miei baci non puoi scordare", which was released under her real name, Mimi Berthe. The single was noticed and the press published several positive articles about this talented girl, and the weekly "Tuttomusica" includes her in the so-called "greffa" group, a clan of attacking talents.

Meanwhile, Mimi improves her voice and releases the songs “In summer” and “Il magone” (1964), for which she receives her first real positive reviews. There should be an offer to participate as a young guest in television show"Teatro 10" with interpretation of "E adesso che abbiamo litigato".

In 1966, the single “Non sar? tardi/Quattro settimane” was released, which went unnoticed: Mimi recorded these songs, being impressed by the works of Etta James and Aretha Franklin.
The Berte family moves to Rome, where Mimi studies languages, studies at the art lyceum and.... devotes herself body and soul to jam sessions. For some time in the late 60s he worked in the rock group La Macchina. The name of the same group was later changed to I Posteri when it became Mia's own support group.
One night in 1969, her career and life change dramatically when Mimi Berthe, her friend Renato Zero and her sister Loredana Berthe are detained by the police. Mimi is found with half a gram of marijuana in her bag, she is arrested and spends four months in prison. This event freezes her career for several years.
As a result of the scandal, she remained under the yoke of an unstable and unreliable singer for the rest of her life, and the disc “Coriandoli spenti”, recorded the day before, was not released at all due to these events.

After participating in recordings for other singers as a backing vocalist, Mimi Berte returned to her solo career, with works closer to her, in the style of blues and soul, with influences from Ella Fitzgerald and the Beatles.
The founder of the Piper label, Alberigo Crocetta, fascinated by her voice, decides to promote her on the international stage, replaces her name with a more sonorous one, "Mia Martini", Mia in honor of Mia Farrow, and Martini is chosen from the three most famous Italian words abroad (spaghetti, pizza, and specifically Martini). He gives her the image of a gypsy with big amount rings on his hands and the obligatory bowler hat.

In the spring of 1971, Martini was contacted by representatives of RCA, who offered her to record an album, for which she had to change the accompanying musicians.
With the help of Premiata Forneria Marconi and Osanna, as well as another group (which included some members of Free Love), she recorded the first single for RCA, "Padre davvero", although the cover still said "Mia Martini e La Macchina".

With the new group she participates in the first festival "Festival d"avanguardia e nuove tendenze" in Viareggio, where, accompanied by the group "La macchina", she wins with "Padre davvero", an unconventional and disrespectful song. On the other side of this disc is "Amore. .. amore... un corno."

In Mia Martini's first album "Oltre la collina" some of the songs were written by the famous Claudio Baglioni. "Oltre la collina" is considered one of her best works among all the works realized by the weak half of humanity. Among other songs on the album, I would like to mention “Gesu il mio fratello” and “Lacrime di Marzo”. Despite the success of the record, it was criticized again and again.

In 1972, as a result of the collaboration between Mia and Bruno Lauzi, the song “Piccolo uomo” was born, which took first place in the national charts for five months, won the Festivalbar and was also successful in France, Spain and Latin America.
During this very happy and productive period she participates in the "Mostra internazionale di musica leggera" in Venice, with the song "Donna sola".

Mia is recording new album"Il giorno dopo", and she is invited on television to take part in a special program created by Lucio Battisti (Italian composer), who was amazed by her unusual vocal style.

Unfortunately, along with fame comes all sorts of gossip that will poison her for the rest of her life."
Among the songs on the album "Il giorno dopo" we should note "Ma quale amore" by Antonello Venditti, a cover of "Your song" by Elton John and "Signora" by Jean Manuel Serrat translated by Paolo Limiti.

Mia Martini continues to collect awards: wins the "Gondola d'oro" (golden Gondola) award, elected " best singer of the Year" in the referendum "Sorrisi e canzoni", she was awarded the Palma de Majorca Prize of European Criticism.
For the song "Minuetto", written by Franco Califano and Baldan Bembo, Mia Martini is awarded the big prize "Festivalbar ’73".

In 1974, a collaboration with Charles Aznavour began, the pinnacle of which can be considered a concert at the famous Olympia hall in Paris in 1977, in which she performed like Edith Piaf.
Mia Martini continued her success with regular publications of songs on albums and singles, such as "Sensi e controsensi", "Un altro giorno per me", "Donna con te". Takes part in Festivalbar in 1975, with "Per amarti".

Due to disagreements with the Ricordi label, Mia Martini terminates her contract early. Summoned to court, she was unable to substantiate the reason for the breakup and, as a result, was forced to pay a huge penalty.

Having switched to RCA, Mia Martini is recording a new album "Che vuoi che sia... se ti ho aspettato tanto".
To support the album, which is a moderate success, RAI is releasing a monochrome short film directed by Ruggero Miti.

In 1981, after a complex operation on her vocal cords that changed her voice, her range expanded to a more hoarse one. Mia decided that now she can perform as a cantautrice (singer-songwriter).
She chooses a more moderate and masculine style, far from the eccentricities of the seventies, and realizes the album ""Mimi"", consisting of ten songs, almost entirely written by her with arrangements by Dick Halligan."

In 1982, Mia Martini goes to Sanremo with the song Ivan Fossati, "E non finisce mica il cielo" and receives an award for best performer.
In the following years, Mia sings only those songs that she likes, which wins even more great love his admirers and leaving us with a dozen even more beautiful and intriguing songs.

In 1992, Mia Martini won second place at the Sanremo Festival with the song Luca Barbarossa "Gli uomini non cambiano" and this was one of her last performances.

Men don't change

(Gli uomini non cambiano )

I was the same girl
In love with her father.
For him I'm always wrong
I'm his promiscuous daughter.
I tried to win him over
But I never succeeded.
He fought to change it
We needed a different life.

Patience of women
It starts at that age
When a family is born
These pieces of hostility.
And you get lost inside the cinema
And you dream of leaving
With the first one who understands you and who is lying.

Men don't change
First they talk about love
And then they leave you alone.
Men change you
And you cry a thousand nights "why?"
While men kill you
And they gather with their friends,

to laugh at you.

I also cried for the first time
Cornered and crushed.
He did and did not understand
Because I was firm and silent.
But I discovered over time
And getting a little tougher
Having a man in company is worse.
When he is alone, he has more fear.

Men don't change.
They make money to buy you
And then they sell you at night.
Men don't come back
And they give you everything you don't want.
But why...

On Friday, May 12, 1995, Mia Martini was found dead under mysterious circumstances in her apartment in Cardano al Campo, near Milan. According to the official version, it was a cocaine overdose, but her sister Loredana Berthe believes the cause was “medication abuse.”

Loredana Berthe, with the support of her sister Leda, recently brought accusations against her father Giuseppe Radames Berthe, saying that he was indirectly responsible for the death of their famous sister.

The third of four sisters, Olivia, spoke out in defense of her father: “My father is not some kind of monster, he’s a common person", she said. “They speak without knowing anything, but in the last period of her life Mimi became so close to him that she even moved to live not far from him. The relationship between them was active, friendly, moreover, full of love."

Before going to her place to rest (for the last time), Mia talked with her father, then said a warm goodbye to him and left. No one saw her alive again.

She was very lonely.

Mia Martini - Quando finisce un amore

(When love ends)

"Almeno Tu Nell" Universo" Sanremo 1989

Gli uomini non cambiano

(Men don't change)

San Remo, 1992

Mia Martini and Roberto Murolo

"Cu"mmè"

Spanish in Neapolitan dialect

Contralto is one of the most vibrant female voices. Its velvety low sound is often compared to a cello. This voice is quite rare in nature, so it is highly valued for its beautiful timbre and for the fact that it can reach the lowest notes for women.

How and when is contralto formed?

This voice has its own formation characteristics. Most often it can be determined after 14 or 18 years of age. The female contralto voice is predominantly formed from two children's voices: a low alto, which from an early age has a pronounced chest register, or a soprano with an inexpressive timbre.

Many girls are surprised by the changes and the fact that the range becomes lower, and the voice acquires beautiful expressive low notes.

This situation often occurs: A girl with an inexpressive 1st soprano is told that she has a weak voice and should not study vocals professionally. And then, after about 14 years, they develop expressive chest notes and a feminine sound, which is characteristic of contralto. The upper register gradually becomes colorless and inexpressive, while low notes, on the contrary, acquire a beautiful chesty sound.

Unlike, this type of contralto in sound does not resemble a rich girl’s voice, but a voice very adult woman, significantly older than his calendar age. If a mezzo-soprano's voice sounds velvety, but very rich and beautiful, then a contralto has a slight hoarseness that the average female voice does not have.

An example of such a voice is singer Vera Brezhneva. As a child, she had a high soprano voice, which, unlike other children's voices, seemed expressionless and colorless. If in adolescence for other girls, the soprano only gained strength and became richer in its timbre, beauty and chest notes, while Vera’s voice colors gradually lost their expressiveness, but the chest register expanded.

And as an adult, she developed a rather expressive female contralto voice, which sounds deep and original. A striking example such a voice can be heard in the songs “Help Me” and “Good Day”.

Another type of contralto is formed already in childhood. These voices have a rough sound and often sing as altos in school choirs. By adolescence, they become mezzo-soprano and dramatic soprano, and some turn into deep contralto. IN colloquial speech Such voices sound rude and become like boys.

Girls with such voices are sometimes victims of ridicule from their peers, and they are often called names male names. During adolescence, this type of contralto becomes richer and lower, although the masculine timbre does not disappear. It is often difficult to understand in a recording who is singing, a guy or a girl. If other altos become mezzo-sopranos or dramatic sopranos, then the contralto's chest register opens up. Many girls even begin to brag that they can easily copy men's voices.

An example of such a contralto would be Irina Zabiyaka, a girl from the group “Chile”, who always had a low voice. By the way, she studied academic vocals for many years, which allowed her to reveal her range.

Another example of a rare contralto, which is formed after 18 years, is the voice of Nadezhda Babkina. Since childhood, she sang in alto, and when she entered the conservatory, the professors identified her voice as a dramatic mezzo-soprano. But by the end of her studies, her low range expanded and by the age of 24 she had formed a beautiful female contralto voice.

Why is this voice more valuable than others?

In opera, such a voice is rare, since there are not too many contraltos that meet the academic requirements. For opera singing, the contralto must not only be low enough, but also sound expressive without a microphone, and such strong voices are rare. That’s why girls with contralto voices go to sing on stage or in jazz.

By the way, in the jazz direction there are more contraltos, because the very specificity of the music not only allows them to beautifully reveal their natural timbre, but also to play with their voice in different parts of their range. There are especially many contraltos among African-American or mulatto women.

Their special chesty timbre in itself becomes a decoration for any jazz composition or soul song. A prominent representative of such a voice was Toni Braxton, whose hit “Unbreak my heart” could not be sung beautifully by any singer, even with a very low voice.

On the stage, contralto is valued for its beautiful velvety timbre and feminine sound. According to psychologists, they subconsciously inspire trust, but, unfortunately, many young girls confuse them with smoky voices. In fact, it is easy to distinguish such a voice from a low timbre: smoky voices sound dull and inexpressive compared to the low but sonorous character of the contralto.

Singers with such voices will be clearly heard in a large hall, even if they sing in a whisper. The voices of girls who smoke become dull and inexpressive, lose their overtone coloring and are simply inaudible in the hall. Instead of a rich and expressive female timbre, they become completely inexpressive and it is more difficult for them to play on nuances, switch from a quiet sound to a loud one when needed, etc. And in modern pop music, smoky voices have long been out of fashion.

Famous singers with such a voice

In the popular music of foreign countries, the singer Cher, Shakira, Toni Braxton and Rihanna were distinguished by their bright contralto timbre.

Among Russian singers, Irina Allegrova, singer Verona, Irina Zabiyaka (soloist of the group “Chili”), Anita Tsoi (especially heard in the song “Sky”), Vera Brezhneva and Angelica Agurbash had a deep and expressive contralto timbre.

As promised, I offer options for music of various genres, performed by men with capital letters M. Now you will understand everything. Didn't touch it at all popular artists(popular not in the sense of the genre of music, but in the sense of rating), we already know them very well. I offer fresh, new guys. There are also old ones, but not too worn out... in general, have a nice time.... ****************************** ***************************************** King Krule 17-year-old boy! !! Please pay special attention to this when listening!)))) It took me a long time to select the photo. because the kindergarten such...)))))))
“Before I had money for a Mac, I was forced to write music on a shitty Toshiba laptop. I had to download free versions programs that only allowed files to be saved for a day - so I had to finish the track in one night. This motivated me greatly - but if I didn’t have time, the music simply disappeared.” That's right!))))))))) And he writes in the spirit of the previous “speaker” - dubstep, alternative, indie, etc. Due to age, there is a feeling of “dampness” of the work, but there is considerable potential. King Krule - Bleak Bake King Krule - Portrait in Black and BluePete Yorn - American singer, a singer-songwriter and guitarist who first gained international recognition when his music - including the songs "Strange Condition" - appeared in the 2000 film Me, Myself and Irene. well and to a wide circle He is known to listeners for having recorded an album with Scarlett Johansson. Pete Yorn – Lose You Pete Yorn - Life On A Chain ************************************************************************* Jacob Dylan a well-known handsome man and the son of Bob Dillon. Once the lead singer of the band The Wallflowers also has very, very in a beautiful voice. As a soloist, Jacob performs country, pop, original music... in general, not what he did in the group. And the band performed rock, alternative, pop-rock. In general, Jacob is thrown from side to side, but the essence remains - a magical voice. Jakob Dylan - Nothing But the Whole Wide World Jakob Dylan - Something Good This Way Comes The Wallflowers - Sleepwalker The Wallflowers - Letters from the Wasteland *********************************************************************** Ryan Bingham Former rodeo rider turned musician. Born in 1981. He released several albums: “Mescalito” (2007) and “Roadhouse Sun” (2009). The third album "Junky Star" was released with by The Dead Horses. Ryan Bingham "The Weary Kind" Ryan Bingham - Bread & Water *********************************************************************** John Legend American singer performing music in the style of R&B, soul, neo-soul. In general, the music is the most extraordinary) I'm serious. It sounds very rare and recognizable. The most popular song performed by him is We just don't care From the latest, not very popular Everybody Knows**************************************** ********************* If you want a very, very masculine voice, then this is the place for you. Scotty McCreery. This is someone who, despite his young years, has wonderful vocals that can simply bewitch. Well, by the way, another participant in the music show. It’s worth noting that the guy sings mostly in country style. But the music is very nice. And the voice, that voice! Scotty McCreery – Clear As Day Scotty McCreery – The Trouble With Girls *********************************************************************** David Cook American singer. Winner of the musical television show American Idol 2008. Even before the competition, he released his first album - Analog Heart (2006). Well, after the victory Studio albums"David Cook" (2008) and "This Loud Morning" (2011). David Cook – Permanent David Cook – Heroes**************************************** *********************** I tried to gather such a diverse group of singers for today’s post. We've accumulated more, but it's too much for one issue. So I'll do it another time. I hope you find something new and interesting for yourself or share your impressions about your idols...)))

Really popular rock- singers of the 60s - 70s you can count on one hand how women and rock were not associated in any way at that time. But the popularity of the performers listed below has radically changed the idea that women and rock are incompatible.

Janis Joplin

Janis Joplin ( Janis Joplin) - Legend female rock. Back in the early 60s, she began singing on the stages of clubs and restaurants. Her unique hoarse voice, with a range of 3 octaves, did not leave anyone indifferent. Janice came to fame thanks to hard work and a happy meeting with the Big Brother team. Towards the end of the decade, the whole world knew about Janice. Unfortunately, addiction to drugs led to early death singers. Over the entire period, Janis Joplin recorded 3 albums that were included in the rock classics.

Nina Hagen

Nina Hagen- The pride of German rock. Critics have called her the mother of punk rock. Her huge vocal range of 3 octaves allowed her to sing the most intricate songs. International fame came in 1978 after the release of the album "Nina Hagen Band". For 2 years (1978 and 1979), Nina Hagen's songs always topped the charts in England and Germany. In 1980, the singer disbanded the group and completely went into religion.

Patti Smith

Patti Smith - American singer 70s - 80s. Thanks to her album "Horses", in an original style, Patti began to be called the godmother of punk rock, and her world famous single "Because the Night" raised the singer to the top musical world. Patti Smith was an active member of Greenpeace and fought for peace. Until the age of 80, Patti released 9 albums.

Debbie Harry

Debbie Harry- American rock singer, songwriter and popular film actress. Leader of the rock band "Blondie". Worldwide popularity comes after the release of the album " Parallel lines" in 1978. After this, Debbie Hari became the most successful singer of the late 70s.

Suzi Quatro

Suzi Quatro ( Suzi Quatro) - American rock singer. The beginning of her career was difficult, but thanks to Susie’s determination, the singer became famous first in Europe and then in the USA. The singer was faithful to her image to the end, for which she was dubbed “Miss Leather Jacket.” Her albums “The Demon of Dayton” and “If You Knew Susie” are especially popular.

Donna Summer

Donna Summer- Queen of rhythm and blues of America. The best-selling singer of the late 70s. In five seconds small years Since 1974, she has recorded 9 very successful albums, which have sold millions of copies around the world. Winner of 6 Grammy awards.

Tina Turner

Tina Turner- One of the most famous rock singers of our time. American by birth, Tina began to sing very early. Back in 1960, the song “A Fool in Love”, performed by 20-year-old Tina, topped the charts in America. After this, Tina successfully performed and wrote popular hits for two decades. The song "Proud Mary" is still very popular and is included in the world's golden collection of songs of the 20th century.

Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin- American singer - Queen of Soul. Thanks to the very strong and ringing timbre of her voice, Aretha performed much better famous hits, which rose even higher to the top of the charts. In addition to remixing songs, the singer herself wrote very good music. Aretha Franklin has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Surely, many of us are hearing about Isabelle Geffroy for the first time, because in our country she is much better known under the pseudonym ZAZ. According to the singer herself, it means the versatility of her music, which mixes all styles from A to Z and from Z to A. Several years ago, a recording of a street performance spread across the Internet with incredible speed (in France this is not at all uncommon, but rather the norm ) girls with an unusual hoarse voice and incredible charm. Today we know a little more about the singer.

She performed a lot on the streets of Paris, changing groups one after another, and each time captivating her audience with her unusual voice. Fans even compared Isabelle to the legendary Edith Piaf. Real fame came to ZAZ after winning a prestigious competition, the French analogue of our “Star Factory”. On this moment The personal collection of this talented Frenchwoman includes a huge variety of different awards and titles. However, compatriots, unlike us, treat Isabelle with more than restraint. As many years of experience show, the French, who have been devoted to Edith for centuries, do not really like those who strive to take her place.

Alizee

The fate of this girl is so shrouded in mystery that from time to time she is even credited with death from a drug overdose, the presence of doubles, and in general, versions have arisen several times that Alizée does not exist at all - different performers perform under her name. In fact, she is alone, alive and well, widely known in France and is also famous for constantly participating in all kinds of shows. Media personality.

She was born on the southern coast of France. Her parents, big fans of windsurfing, named Alize after one of the winds. She is one of those child stars who usually lose popularity as they grow older. Alize, however, was not going to give up, childhood and then adolescence were long over, and the singer still remained on the first lines of the charts, performed new songs, released albums, and won over the audience. Today Alize sings less, preferring dancing, but is still loved by fans.

Amel Bent

Amel Bent is a typical representative of France - the daughter of an Algerian and Moroccan mother. She was born in the commune of La Courneuve, from childhood she was fond of singing and even took part in the popular competition “Nouvelle Star”. True, she never managed to snatch victory from her more professional rivals, but the producers became interested in Amel. A new star has risen into the sky.

Amel released the album “Un Jour d'été”, then “Ma Philosophie”. The first single from “Ma Philosophie”, which the singer recorded with the French rap artist Diam’s, went platinum and remained in the first position in French for 6 weeks after its release chart. In 2006, at the Victoires de la musique award ceremony, Amel was recognized as “Discovery of the Year.” Amel continues to perform a lot and has even gone on tour in Russia, although today the singer has temporarily suspended her activities - Amel got married and gave birth. daughter.

Isabelle Marie-Anne de Truchy de Varenne was born in the suburbs of Paris. For her thirst for adventure and restlessness, her mother gave her a nickname - Zazi, that was the name of the heroine of one of her favorite books, “Zazi in the Subway.” She wanted to be a writer, filmmaker, fashion model or writer, but fate led her to music.

Zazi has several successful albums to his name, prestigious awards and awards and, despite the solid seniority, which is still the love of the public.

Mylene Farmer

This name is probably familiar to every music lover. And the question here is not about love specifically for French music, but to music in general, because what Mylène Farmer creates is difficult to fit into any framework, one can only admire it. Mylene Farmer has been on stage for a long time, her experience deserves respect. Few people stay that long, even in France, where stability is valued above all else. Farmer was born in Canada in 1961, then moved with her parents to France. It was in her homeland that Milen realized that she only wanted to be an actress! It’s true that everything didn’t work out from the very beginning - the poor thing was not taken either to the theater or to the cinema. However, she managed to star in several commercials.

A chance meeting with the composer and poet Jerome Dahan turned her whole life upside down. The songs performed by Milen conquered the whole of France, and then the planet. In addition, Mylene also became famous for her videos, each of which is more like a skillfully shot short film. Today, Farmer continues to sing, record songs, and, oddly enough, remain a favorite among the French, despite the fact that local music lovers have a rather biased attitude towards “their own”.

Lara Fabian

Despite the fact that we traditionally consider Fabian French singer, it has the most indirect relation to France. Lara was born in Belgium to a Fleming father and a Sicilian mother, where she first captivated the public with her voice, and then moved to Canada. Today Fabian enters Europe a lot, in his arsenal he speaks English and Italian, but most of the songs are still recorded in his native French. Since 2000, the singer began to appear on television screens in France with enviable regularity. The girl takes part in different programs. At the same time, her albums are selling at incredible speed - 5 million copies in a few months.

Following Celine Dion, Isabelle Boulet and Lara Fabian, the new star. Although young talent was found in Canada, for Europe such a bright take-off could not go unnoticed: in 2001, Natasha was given an unprecedented honor - she had an almost unique opportunity to represent France at Eurovision with the song “Je n"ai que mon âme” (“I only have my soul"), authored by Robber Goldman (brother of Jean-Jacques Goldman). She only took fourth place, but won the hearts of all the French.

By 2003, Natasha Saint-Pierre confidently won the status of a French song star. She gave solo concerts, won one competition after another, and in general, it must be said, she moved so rapidly to the top of Olympus that other, much more seasoned performers could only envy her. Natasha was offered cooperation by Garou himself, who organized a European tour for her, then she recorded several successful albums under the guidance of older French comrades.