Playing with bad singers

[Robert J]

The drummer post got me thinking about this.

The second worst thing is performing with poor singers. This was really obvious to me a couple of weeks ago when I subbed for a piano player at club that hires duos. The singer has a repertoire, sort of, but he just does not have a good voice, or presence or phrasing at all. It was a painful 4 hours.

But the real problem was he was such a nice guy. I just don't think he knew how bad he was. His wife and friends all came by to watch us. They were so encouraging. I knew all the tunes, but he insisted on a couple of rehersals. I did about 30 minutes with him beforehand; they were common tunes and I knew his keys.

Just everything was lacking and it was so boring for me. No spark. Plus for some reason I played more than he sang. He kept missing my cues to come in for a second chorus etc. I'd play the whole tune in my solo sometimes twice. The audience didn't really know it. It was a martini bar at a restaurant so most people would hear only 3-4 songs. Plus he wanted to end every set with a ballad. AHHH

If you could excuse the analogy, it was like making love to a dead fish!

Anyone comments?

[JSngry]

At least you can eat the fish...

[Robert J]

LOL

Sad reality: I got a call yesterday from this guy to do it all again. I'm on his "A" list. Will pay me about $125. Most likely I will still do it. Unlike a dead fish, we musicians still have to back to the trough...

[Jim Alfredson]

Shit, $125 is nothing to scoff at. Joe and I got $50 a piece for backing up a singer last Thursday. Actually, he's the same singer that fronts the R&B band I'm in. We were doing simple standards. He's got a great voice, but there were some key issues going on... ie, he started singing some tunes in the wrong key... then couldn't get his bearings...

I'm hoping some rehearsals will do some good. I know he can sing this stuff... it's just that awkward first gig.

Speaking of singers, I hate it when people think it's kareoke time and try to push themselves up on the bandstand.

[JSngry]

In matters such as this, I fear that we often tend to overlook the profound contributions of Jonathan & Darlene Edwards. Jonathan's courageous innovations should inspire us all, especially since Darlene's legacy has had an influence that transcends gender.

[AfricaBrass]

In matters such as this, I fear that we often tend to overlook the profound contributions of Jonathan & Darlene Edwards. Jonathan's courageous innovations should inspire us all, especially since Darlene's legacy has had an influence that transcends gender.

Those Jonathan and Darlene Edwards records were AHEAD of their time.

[Soul Stream]

Just think, Larry Young had to use his wife in the studio! Ugghh. That's one of the worst vocal performances of "My Funny Valentine" ever. How Wolff and Lion ever went for that is beyond me.

[Robert J]

Shit, $125 is nothing to scoff at.  Joe and I got $50 a piece for backing up a singer last Thursday

Don't forget that's in Canadian $$$ Probably equal to the $50 you made. It was a martini bar, and the 2 I had cost me a foolish $15.

I'm not complaining, I am grateful for the gig even though it will be painful. At least I get to stretch out a bit. I guess what I was getting at is, that although he's not a good singer, he still plugs himself and manages to get the next gig. Something smart about that.

I know a guy, now on the west coast, who did a gig with a singer and it was not a good time. He vowed never to follow up with the dude. A year later he was asked to sub for a band which happened to have the same guy singing. My buddy walked into the rehearsal and said "Oh no, ... I didn't know it was gonna be you" He still did the night.

Edited March 31, 2003 by Robert J