Posted by Larry Jordan on February 9, 2017, 7:51 pm
In my recent travels I encountered a male quartet that I had heard before but not since they had added an incredible bass singer named Chris West. Despite the various CDs I produce, my secret passion is Southern Gospel. In fact, I have used some musicians and vocalists from this field on some of the CDs I've done (including Jim Reeves).
I wanted to share with you a very well written song (pay attention to the lyrics) and let you see and hear Chris hit the lowest of low notes. His control of his voice is most impressive and he is true to the note. He effortlessly switches back and forth between singing the lead and singing harmony. In intonation is beautiful. I think Jim would really have appreciated him.
To hear this wonderful singer, click the YouTube link below.
Generally it's harder for a bass singer to control his voice and you will hear many of them sing off-key at times. It has something to do with the anatomical features of the voicebox that create the deep tone.
But Chris West knows how to do it right. Here is a fascinating little vignette in which he talks about voice placement in a serious, though humorous way. There is far more to this than average listeners realize. Click the link below. After you view it, go back and re-watch Chris in action on stage to see how he implements his techniques.
on February 9, 2017, 7:51 pm