VOCAL HARMONIES IN ROCK
VA - Great Harmonies in Rock CD1 + CD2 (A Butterboy Compilation) + Bonus VA - Great Close Harmonies (A Butterboy Compilation)
It's a beautiful thing when you hear rock bands using vocal harmonies. Nothing sends chills up and down your spine like great rock music with tight harmonies. Sometimes all band member sing together offering their own vocal tilt while playing instruments. Sometimes backup singers are used where they can offer a more structured support harmony. And sometimes just two artists share there voices to created the most beautiful of harmonies.
There are many styles of harmony in music like, classical baroque style, operas and choral music style (often using tense sounding vocal harmonies), barbershop quartet style, a Capella style, Gospel style , Doo-wop style, swing jazz harmonies and band back-up singing. In many rock bands, the musicians doing backup vocals also play instruments, such as keyboards, rhythm guitar or drums.
To sing vocal harmony in a rock context, singers need to be able to adjust the pitch of their notes so that they are in tune with the pitch of the lead vocalist and the band's instruments. As well, the rhythm of the backup harmony parts has to be in time with the lead singer and the rhythm section. While some bands use relatively simple harmony vocals, with long, slow-moving vocal harmony notes supporting the vocal lead during the chorus sections, other bands make the backup singers into more equal partners of the main vocalist. In more vocally oriented bands, backup singers may have to sing complex parts which demand a vocal agility and sensitivity equal to that of the main vocal line. Usually, rock bands use harmony vocals while the rest of the band is playing; however, as an effect, some rock harmony vocals are done a Capella, without instrumental accompaniment.
The artist included in these tracks are experts at using vocal harmonies that is ideally suited to the music being played. All tracks on the first two discs explore the only Male vocal harmonies. (I have not included boy bands and doo wop groups here). I have concentrated on rock band male vocals which may also vary from full on rock to some folk based material.
Also included is a third set of tracks which , for me, concentrate on complex and close vocals harmonies. These tracks also do include female and A Capella vocal harmonies covering a multitude of genres. These tracks are great examples of vocal harmonies that elevate the songs to great heights. I hope you enjoy these selections.
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Track list 1
1 Beatles - Because 2:45 1969
2 Beach Boys - Don't Worry Baby 2:47 1964
3 Alice in Chains - No Excuses 4:15 1994
4 America - Children 3:04 1971
5 Spirit - Give a Life, Take a Life 3:22 1969
6 Simon & Garfunkel - The Sounds of Silence 3:09 1966
7 Bee Gees - New York Mining Disaster 1941 2:11 1967
8 Byrds - Goin' Back 3:32 1968
9 Crosby, Stills & Nash - Helplessly Hoping 2:37 1969
10 Everly Brothers - All I Have to Do is Dream 2:21 1958
11 Doobie Brothers - Toulouse Street 3:14 1972
12 Band - The Weight 4:37 1968
13 Tufano & Giammarese - Comunicate 4:14 1973
14 Hollies - Carrie Anne 2:57 1967
15 10cc - I'm Not in Love 3:41 1975
16 Eagles - Lyin' Eyes 6:20 1975
17 Association - The Time it is Today 2:11 1968
18 Seals & Crofts - Diamond Girl 4:14 1973
19 Klaatu - For You Girl 2:36 1973
20 R.E.M. - Near Wild Heaven 3:19 1991
21 Queen - You're My Best Friend 2:53 1975
22 Elliott Smith - Tomorrow Tomorrow 3:07 1998
23 Shorrock, Birtles & Goble - Kings of the World 2:30 1975
24 Buffalo Springfield - Rock and Roll Woman 2:40 1967
25 Who - Behind the Blue Eyes 3:42 1971
Track list 2
26 Eagles - Seven Bridges Road (Live) 3:04 1980
27 Fleet Foxes - Fool's Errand 4:48 2017
28 America - Sandman 5:08 1971
29 Cream - I Feel Free 2:51 1966
30 Band of Horses - Marry Song 3:23 2007
31 Toto - Africa 4:59 1982
32 Lovin' Spoonful - Full Measure 2:40 1966
33 Lindisfarne - Lady Eleanor 4:12 1970
34 Poco - Here We Go Again 3:29 1973
35 Young Rascals - I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore 2:46 1965
36 Radiohead - Let Down 4:59 1997
37 Loggins & Messina - Be Free 7:00 1974
38 Sweet - Love is Like Oxygen 3:47 1978
39 Grateful Dead - Sugar Magnolia 3:17 1970
40 Everly Brothers - Bye Bye Love 2:21 1958
41 Beatles - Michelle 2:39 1965
42 Eagles - New Kid in Town 5:03 1994
43 Low - Try to Sleep 4:20 2011
44 Electric Light Orchestra - Mr. Blue Sky 3:44 1977
45 Yardbirds - For Your Love 2:30 1965
46 Association - No Fair at All 2:34 1966
47 Peter Paul & Mary - Where Have All The Flowers Gone 3:59 1962
48 Byrds - Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There is a Season) 3:36 1965
49 Doobie Brothers - Listen to the Music 3:28 1972
50 Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody 5:50 1975
Track list 3
1 Chordettes - Mr. Sandman 2:23 1954
2 Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Suite - Judy Blue Eyes 7:22 1969
3 Mama's & the Papa's - Monday Monday 3:25 1966
4 Byrds - I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better 2:34 1965
5 Blind Boys of Alabama - Wade in the Water 3:34 2002
6 Andrew Sisters With Les Paul - Rumors Are Flying 2:57 1946
7 Four Seasons - Rag Doll 3:00 1964
8 Beach Boys - Heroes and Villains 3:36 1967
9 Platters - I'm Just a Dancing Partner 2:18 1958
10 Decameron - Rock and Roll Woman 2:13 1974
11 Little Big Town - Vapor 4:13 2007
12 Puppini Sisters - Moon River 3:54 2011
13 Grupo Vocal Desandann - Guede Nibo 2:07 1999
14 Oak Ridge Boys - Lots of Matchbooks 3:05 1978
15 Maddy Prior and the Girls - I Need You to Turn 3:13 2002
16 Sweet Honey in the Rock - Dog Dog 2:10 2007
17 Gladiators - Look is Deceiving 3:48 1976
18 Home Free - Ring of Fire 2:21 2013
19 Amadou & Mariam - Je Pense a Toi 5:16 1998
20 Scala and Kolacny Bros - With Or Without You 4:37 2011
21 Lettermen - When I Fall in Love 2:28 1961
22 Jubalaires - A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes 2:34 1950
23 Shorrock, Birtles & Goble - Kings of the World 2:30 1975
24 Roy Shirley & the Uniques - Facts of Life 3:01 1968
25 Eagles - Seven Bridges Road (Live) 3:04 1980
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It's a beautiful thing when you hear rock bands using vocal harmonies. Nothing sends chills up and down your spine like great rock music with tight harmonies. Sometimes all band member sing together offering their own vocal tilt while playing instruments. Sometimes backup singers are used where they can offer a more structured support harmony. And sometimes just two artists share there voices to created the most beautiful of harmonies.
There are many styles of harmony in music like, classical baroque style, operas and choral music style (often using tense sounding vocal harmonies), barbershop quartet style, a Capella style, Gospel style , Doo-wop style, swing jazz harmonies and band back-up singing. In many rock bands, the musicians doing backup vocals also play instruments, such as keyboards, rhythm guitar or drums.
To sing vocal harmony in a rock context, singers need to be able to adjust the pitch of their notes so that they are in tune with the pitch of the lead vocalist and the band's instruments. As well, the rhythm of the backup harmony parts has to be in time with the lead singer and the rhythm section. While some bands use relatively simple harmony vocals, with long, slow-moving vocal harmony notes supporting the vocal lead during the chorus sections, other bands make the backup singers into more equal partners of the main vocalist. In more vocally oriented bands, backup singers may have to sing complex parts which demand a vocal agility and sensitivity equal to that of the main vocal line. Usually, rock bands use harmony vocals while the rest of the band is playing; however, as an effect, some rock harmony vocals are done a Capella, without instrumental accompaniment.
The artist included in these tracks are experts at using vocal harmonies that is ideally suited to the music being played. All tracks on the first two discs explore the only Male vocal harmonies. (I have not included boy bands and doo wop groups here). I have concentrated on rock band male vocals which may also vary from full on rock to some folk based material.
Also included is a third set of tracks which , for me, concentrate on complex and close vocals harmonies. These tracks also do include female and A Capella vocal harmonies covering a multitude of genres. These tracks are great examples of vocal harmonies that elevate the songs to great heights. I hope you enjoy these selections.
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ALL 
===========================================================
Track list 1
1 Beatles - Because 2:45 1969
2 Beach Boys - Don't Worry Baby 2:47 1964
3 Alice in Chains - No Excuses 4:15 1994
4 America - Children 3:04 1971
5 Spirit - Give a Life, Take a Life 3:22 1969
6 Simon & Garfunkel - The Sounds of Silence 3:09 1966
7 Bee Gees - New York Mining Disaster 1941 2:11 1967
8 Byrds - Goin' Back 3:32 1968
9 Crosby, Stills & Nash - Helplessly Hoping 2:37 1969
10 Everly Brothers - All I Have to Do is Dream 2:21 1958
11 Doobie Brothers - Toulouse Street 3:14 1972
12 Band - The Weight 4:37 1968
13 Tufano & Giammarese - Comunicate 4:14 1973
14 Hollies - Carrie Anne 2:57 1967
15 10cc - I'm Not in Love 3:41 1975
16 Eagles - Lyin' Eyes 6:20 1975
17 Association - The Time it is Today 2:11 1968
18 Seals & Crofts - Diamond Girl 4:14 1973
19 Klaatu - For You Girl 2:36 1973
20 R.E.M. - Near Wild Heaven 3:19 1991
21 Queen - You're My Best Friend 2:53 1975
22 Elliott Smith - Tomorrow Tomorrow 3:07 1998
23 Shorrock, Birtles & Goble - Kings of the World 2:30 1975
24 Buffalo Springfield - Rock and Roll Woman 2:40 1967
25 Who - Behind the Blue Eyes 3:42 1971
Track list 2
26 Eagles - Seven Bridges Road (Live) 3:04 1980
27 Fleet Foxes - Fool's Errand 4:48 2017
28 America - Sandman 5:08 1971
29 Cream - I Feel Free 2:51 1966
30 Band of Horses - Marry Song 3:23 2007
31 Toto - Africa 4:59 1982
32 Lovin' Spoonful - Full Measure 2:40 1966
33 Lindisfarne - Lady Eleanor 4:12 1970
34 Poco - Here We Go Again 3:29 1973
35 Young Rascals - I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore 2:46 1965
36 Radiohead - Let Down 4:59 1997
37 Loggins & Messina - Be Free 7:00 1974
38 Sweet - Love is Like Oxygen 3:47 1978
39 Grateful Dead - Sugar Magnolia 3:17 1970
40 Everly Brothers - Bye Bye Love 2:21 1958
41 Beatles - Michelle 2:39 1965
42 Eagles - New Kid in Town 5:03 1994
43 Low - Try to Sleep 4:20 2011
44 Electric Light Orchestra - Mr. Blue Sky 3:44 1977
45 Yardbirds - For Your Love 2:30 1965
46 Association - No Fair at All 2:34 1966
47 Peter Paul & Mary - Where Have All The Flowers Gone 3:59 1962
48 Byrds - Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There is a Season) 3:36 1965
49 Doobie Brothers - Listen to the Music 3:28 1972
50 Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody 5:50 1975
Track list 3
1 Chordettes - Mr. Sandman 2:23 1954
2 Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Suite - Judy Blue Eyes 7:22 1969
3 Mama's & the Papa's - Monday Monday 3:25 1966
4 Byrds - I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better 2:34 1965
5 Blind Boys of Alabama - Wade in the Water 3:34 2002
6 Andrew Sisters With Les Paul - Rumors Are Flying 2:57 1946
7 Four Seasons - Rag Doll 3:00 1964
8 Beach Boys - Heroes and Villains 3:36 1967
9 Platters - I'm Just a Dancing Partner 2:18 1958
10 Decameron - Rock and Roll Woman 2:13 1974
11 Little Big Town - Vapor 4:13 2007
12 Puppini Sisters - Moon River 3:54 2011
13 Grupo Vocal Desandann - Guede Nibo 2:07 1999
14 Oak Ridge Boys - Lots of Matchbooks 3:05 1978
15 Maddy Prior and the Girls - I Need You to Turn 3:13 2002
16 Sweet Honey in the Rock - Dog Dog 2:10 2007
17 Gladiators - Look is Deceiving 3:48 1976
18 Home Free - Ring of Fire 2:21 2013
19 Amadou & Mariam - Je Pense a Toi 5:16 1998
20 Scala and Kolacny Bros - With Or Without You 4:37 2011
21 Lettermen - When I Fall in Love 2:28 1961
22 Jubalaires - A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes 2:34 1950
23 Shorrock, Birtles & Goble - Kings of the World 2:30 1975
24 Roy Shirley & the Uniques - Facts of Life 3:01 1968
25 Eagles - Seven Bridges Road (Live) 3:04 1980
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always a thank you from Aussie because a thank you goes a long way
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU Aussie
DeleteCheers
Thanks for these comps. They are great for my jukebox.
ReplyDeleteHi hotrodmike,
DeleteThis is a fun listen. Thanks
Cheers
Thank you for the effort!!
ReplyDeleteRegards
Hi Il Commendatore.
DeleteLike every compilation out there there are many more tracks that could e included. Hope you enjoy this set of tracks.
Cheers
Thanks for sharing your latest collection; my ears are going to be very happy. For something much more recent - and at the expense of seeming to be too focused on him - check out the vocal work on Alan Parsons's "Soirée Fantastique" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PTf4p0QIp0): some harmony, and then some vocalists skillfully singing _around_ each other. (If you ever do another volume - but where would you find the time?? - you're already getting some keen suggestions; I'd like to add the Project's "Gemini" to the wish list.)
ReplyDeleteHi Aging Child,
DeleteThese are so many great examples of harmony driven songs. So you are right to request another volume or two. I have a number of others comps to complete before I will get to Harmonies again. Thanks for your suggestions again, and very helpful.
Enjoy your weekend.
Cheers
Harmony is one of the greater factors that draws me to a song so I'm all on-board for this one! Vocal harmony is woven into the substance of such a large part of pop music (fortunately), and sometimes, as you note, it is an inherent part of the style. As you know, but didn't mention, harmony can also be created "artificially" in the studio when the musician(s) multi-track themselves or is otherwise created of manipulated electronically. Some of the categorization can be fairly obvious, as you have done separating male and female, or separating up-front from background vocals, but if it starts driving you too crazy because of the gagillion examples, then perhaps just focus on picking out the most grand, amazing, enjoyable, finest, intricate, noteworthy, popular vs unheralded, unique, or most outstanding (for whatever reason), as there are PLENTY of those! I was starting to get overwhelmed thinking about possibilities so Good Luck! You have the makings for an ENORMOUS ongoing series here, and that's just fine! Thanks for this and all that your astute ears pick up on!
ReplyDeleteHi mrRadio,
DeleteYou are correct there are so many tracks that could occupy this space including many other genre based harmonies or simply time based harmonizing compilations. I've tried to keep it in the category of rock for this compilation though. Whatever I choose in the future I want to thank you for getting my metal juices flowing to explore further.
Thank you! I've only just discovered this blog and wonder what's taken me so long. Fantastic music here, and lots of it. You clearly put a lot of care into the comps you post, making them many leagues above the random playlists of Pandora/Spotify etc.
ReplyDeleteHi Bionic Groooove,
ReplyDeleteWelcome.
Thank you for your kind words. Putting a good compilation together takes some work but it is enjoyment to me. I usually put a new Butterboy Compilation out each week. So keep on visiting . Hope you find something that is to your tastes.
Cheers
Went back to listen to this one better.. you really should do more with Harmonies. I particularly enjoyed CD3 just now.. made notes of ones to check out further.. on my list.. Home Free, Decameron, Blind Boys, Little Big Town, Puppini Sisters, Letterman, Sorrock B&G, and Jubalaires.. all from CD3. You know how hearing some song will remind you of another? Somewhere here I heard "Have You Heard" by The Duprees. Anyway, that's my feedback if you were interested.
ReplyDeleteFYI.. You must like Seven Bridges Road a lot cause it's in here twice. Always..Thanks for the music BB.
Hi Mr Radio,
DeleteAlways great to see you here and sharing your thoughts and observations.
I am glad you still find this compilation an interesting listen.
The 3rd disc of the compilations does include the Eagles version of Seven Bridges High. It is a great track. I should have added a different track in hindsight. I guess I just got caught up in the beautiful harmonies.
Hope you are safe and enjoying the music.
Cheers.
Hi
ReplyDeleteThanks for the your blog! Lots of effort! Is it possible a reup, please?
Thanks
Stay safe
Hi Xabofar,
DeleteI have just tested the links and they are all working. Please try again. you may want to try another browser. Good luck
Cheers
great music provide by you~enjoy your on going efforts
Deletetdog
Hi bbtdog,
DeleteWelcome.
Hope you having fun and finding new music along the way. I have this set in my car at the moment.
Cheers.
Hi B... the links for this interesting listen are out of tune
ReplyDeleteHi mrRadio.
DeleteNew link established, tested and working.
I still kept the two versions of the Eagles track in...
Cheers.
Hey BB, I notice you have The Jubalaires in this wonderful comp.
ReplyDeleteI have been looking for their 1947-1948 The Singing Waiters (2004) album.
https://www.discogs.com/release/13443831-Jubalaires-1947-1948-The-Singing-Waiters
Any chance you have a copy to share?
Hope so...thanks
Hi D,
DeleteGlad you like the compilation.
Unfortunately, I don't have the album you seek.
Possible one of the visitors will notice your request and share it.
Cheers.