Time out for something absolutely beautiful

[Allen]

That glorious, glorious voice..... forget her politics, just close your eyes and listen



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghd5weu5Mpg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-KPG...eature=related

[Bill Wehrman]

I gotta apologize Allen, I can't get past the politics long enough to poke the start button.

[Allen]

I don't agree with her political opinions either, but unlike most of the coddled hollywood left, I think she's probably more than EARNED the right to hold them -- and I can respect that.

Her voice has been the gold standard against which other female vocalists have been held, and found lacking for something like 40 years. She's been a singer, actress, and a director. All from a woman who's mother made her take secretarial classes because she was 'too ugly for show business', and still has horrible stage fright. She's paid her dues.

[Allen]

... and songwriter, screenwriter, producer, business executive, philanthropist -- the ONLY artist ever to receive Oscar, Tony, Emmy, Grammy, Directors Guild of America, Golden Globe, National Endowment for the Arts and Peabody Awards, as well as the American Film Institute’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The first female film director to receive the Kennedy Center Honors.... plus 50 Gold Albums, 30 Platinum Albums, 13 Multi-platinum Albums, 9 Gold Singles, 5 Platinum Singles, 8 Gold Videos, 5 Platinum Videos, and 3 Multi-platinum Videos. Paid her dues in spades, I'd say.

Now, if you still think you're too good to push the button -- and listen to what heaven might just sound like -- because of her 'politics', pray tell us what YOU'VE achieved with your God given talents and hard work that allows you to stand in judgment over her?

Or maybe just read Matthew 7:1-5 again

[BTPost]

Both Judy Collins and Joan Biaz have better voices, with more range, and better pitch control, than Babs. If your talking acapella, then Judy Collins has about the most perfect pitch control, for any female vocalist of her generation. All of these Babes are getting to Old to compare, but in their Prime, they all were easy on the ears....... Politics aside.....

[Tanner Remillard]

I think Ella Fitzgerald had the best sounding female voice I have ever heard. People just cant sing like that anymore.

[Allen]

Tanner, if you like Ella, try a bit of this...

[G Willikers]

Allen,
http://www.last.fm/music/Mahalia+Jackson
Back in the late 50s, we got our 1st record player that would play LPs. It was used but came with a few records. There was one by Mahalia Jackson. When I first heard that record, I thought that has to be the most beautiful voice that God ever gave to a human being! And she sang his praises to the heavens in glorious style! I still think that.
G.

[ronm]

Since we're on the subject of singers who should just shut up & sing....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FI5c...eature=related

[M&WJOE]

For someone with a strong clear hormonous voice give Ann Wilson of Heart a listen. Her voice is crystal clear and strong. She can carry a high note better tan even Seline Dion. I know she is rock&roll, but don`t hold that against her. Her voice is amazing and clear. Love all her music. M&WJoe

[Sawyer-Massey 11-22]

Even though I am post war [1955], I still grew up in a household of war era music, that being said Vera Lynn gets my vote.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtfpX0uMspQ&feature=fvw

Moving into future generations, Stevie Nicks was always a favourite.

Til We meet again,.........R.

[Allen]

Originally Posted by ronm

Since we're on the subject of singers who should just shut up & sing....

Actually, that is exactly NOT the point. The point was some things are MUCH more important than politics, and something of beauty that moves your soul is one of them.

Philistine

[Sawyer-Massey 11-22]

Alan: I know this somewhat out of context, but I do find this a thing of beauty and it does move my soul, even with the Merlins.

R.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtfpX0uMspQ&feature=fvw

[ronm]

Originally Posted by Allen

Philistine

Once again, our friend Allen resorts to name-calling & personal attacks due to a total lack of a sense of humor....
I believe it's up to ME to decide the point of MY post...
Indulge your Babs crush all you want, just don't try to force it on everybody...

[Allen]

Ron, it was intended to be humorous, and I meant the point of the entire thread....anyway...

I've decided that I'm just old, a fossil. I was thinking last night about modern entertainment. Did Marlene Deitrich or Audrey Hepburn have to take off her clothes to be considered a 'serious actress' and sexy? Did Streisand or Ella Fitzgerald ever resort to a 'wardrobe malfunction' to get their names in the tabloids? Did Red Skelton or Jack Benny ever drop an "f-bomb" to get a laugh? Did Monet or Van Gogh ever attempt to pass anything ugly crass and tasteless off as 'art'? Did George M Cohan or Irving Berlin ever write songs about killing cops or blatant sex? Society has lost something. It isn't our 'innocence', because the 20's roared alright, and lots of things happened behind closed doors during the WWII years that would make even the most 'modern' teenagers blush.... More like it's our sense of decorum, and taste. We like to pretend we're enlightened and sophisticated, when our cutting edge art gets more and more like 2nd grade bathroom humor.

Once the 'shock value' wears off, all that's left is talentless mediocrity... and then te next guy has to push THAT boundry even further to get an even lesser effect. When there's no boundaries left to push, then what? Back to fart jokes?

[Eric Schultz]

I have never been a Striesand fan. That being said.....you are right on the mark with that last post, Allen!!!!
Thanks, someone needed to say it!
Eric

[Allen]

Just a quick clarification. I used the word ‘Philistine’, as a topical joke. In all the old movies, that what was what those highbrow, snobby art people would sniff dismissively when confronted with someone who didn’t appreciate whatever object d’art they were discussing. It was intended tongue in cheek, assuming that you’d recognize the reference. Obviously, you did not, and were offended, so I humbly apologize for it.

Now, I’ll ask a clarification on YOUR statement. You stated that these female singers should just ‘shut the #$&% up and sing”….Since the Republican party CLAIMS to be a staunch supporter of the Bill of Rights, which strangely enough, includes the individual’s freedom of speech, I should assume that your statement was intended to be ironically humorous? or hypocritically serious? Or should I just make an educated guess based upon your responses in other posts when confronted with people you don’t agree with? Thanks in advance

[C-Wade7]

Where does he say female???

[Beth V]

Shall we save the arguments for PM's?

Mannheim Steamroller really sounds good about right now....and I'm not going to debate if they really used a STEAM or gas roller in some of their items....

Toby Keith is great fun...."How do you like me NOW!?"

My thread on the "Rockin Russkies" was fun. http://www.smokstak.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51217

Let's stick to iron & forget politics. At least, when we argue boiler policies, it is related to SmokStak.

Beth

[Sky]

Not is it only related to smokestak, were talking about something that actually sets under one aswell! HA! ...go figure