VOCAL HARMONIES IN ROCK
Previously posted September 20, 2019
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 their voices to create 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 harmony 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 their voices to create 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 harmony 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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A great idea, I love so much harmony, especially in Beach Boys songs, like "A Day In The Life Of A Tree" in the second part... To avoid the classic one. Thanks
ReplyDeleteThanks, DevanF.
DeleteThe are a multitude of great harmony driven songs that I could use, and I really like the idea of using less-known tracks at times too. I should look at another new set for the future.
Cheers.
I recommend The Jayhawks. Gorgeous harmonies. This is great. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHi Kyra Dean,
DeleteI love the Jayhawks. Thanks for the suggestion.
Cheers.
Agreed about the Jayhawks! I'd throw in a dash of Queen, City Boy, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Long John Baldry and Nickel Creek too for the next one. Can't wait!
DeleteThanks BG.
DeleteThanks for the suggestions.
Which Long John Baldry song?
Cheers.
I'd go with It Ain't Easy, with Maggie Bell singing harmony. In hindsight, he's probably not the best choice for this compilation since the harmonies are really on the chorus only...but I do love that album so much. Also forgot to mention Unicorn, a cruelly-underrated band. The album Blue Pine Trees is a classic, and the harmonies are fantastic. Also forgot Help Yourself (aka The Helps), which is kinda a Byrds cover band, but their original songs feature lovely harmonies. Plus the Emmylou Harris/Dolly Parton/Linda Ronstadt Trio albums would be a welcome addition. Mark Knopfler's solo work features Emmylou on some tracks -- those are beautiful.
DeleteThanks BG.
DeleteIt looks like a new harmony set is on the way.
Cheers.
Thanks for all your thoughtful shares, Butterboy.
DeleteThanks BB. With my eyes closed and a good set of headphones it's amazing the difference from listening over a sound system.
ReplyDeleteHi headspace.
DeleteUsing headphones can offer a great listening experience. I like headphones too.
Cheers.
You're very welcome, copacetic47
ReplyDeleteCheers.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great playlist. I am surprised that The Little River Band, Orleans, The Righteous Brothers, Fleetwood Mac, The Association, Spanky and the Gang, The Fifth Dimension, ABBA, Boyz II Men, Boston, The Rascals, Tony Orlando and Dawn, The Osmonds, Chicago, Yes, Starship, Kansas, Pointer Sisters, The Shangri Las, Dion, Flamingos, The Penguins, Little Anthony and The Imperials, New Edition, Three Dog Night and most of the classic Motown lineup including the Miracles, The Four Tops, The Temptations, The Manhattans, O'jays, Chi-Lites, The Platters, The Drifters, The Supremes, Martha and the Vandellas, The Coasters, The Isley Brothers, Sylistiks, The Spinners, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, The Staples Singers, Shirelles, Chiffons, Marvellettes, Jackson 5, and Rare Earth were not included. Throw in some more tunes from artists featured in the first collection and you have a Volume II in the making! Look forward to more harmony.
ReplyDeleteAmending my posted comment, I forgot The Commodores, Earth, Wind and Fire, Dazz Band, Gap Band, Brick, The Sylvers, Silver Convention, Bay City Rollers, Brother of Man, Starland Vocal Band, The Emotions, Sly and the Family Stone, Redbone, Pablo Cruise, Heatwave, The Three Degrees, Andrea True Connection, Trampps, Tavares, Exile, War, KC and the Sunshine Band, Exile, Air Supply, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Hues Corporation, Sweet Sensation, Champaign, Partridge Family, DeFranco Family, Peter & Gordon, Yardbirds, Styx, hanson, and the boy bands- Backstreet Boys, NSynch, 98 Degrees, KC and JoJo. Maybe volume 3 being launched.
DeleteHi Mrdusde44.
DeleteThank you for the list of artists. You have offered a lot to thing about. Definitely, many great moments in your list. I tried to stay away from soul music in the first volume as I wanted Harmony in Rock songs only. But that said I should look more broadly at the harmonies side. Nearly every Doo Wop song could find their way into a Harmonies set.
I have a few ideas. Again, I truly appreciated your suggestions.
Cheers
I thought the same thing. Do a Soul/Doo Wop collection by itself. Plenty of pop/rock in my artists listed to Volume 2.
DeleteI've just finished listening to CD1+CD2 from this series. I find this to be a really enjoyable set - thanks you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Mike M
Thank you, Mike,
DeleteWhen I put these compilations together, I try to make them an enjoyable and memorable listen. Usually some we know and some we don't. It would be good to make them larger sets, but I do think it is better to create several volumes.
Cheers.
BB...got this message "Oops! Page not found..." on your link. TIA for another fine comp share.
ReplyDeleteHi LakerCrazy.
DeleteThat is weird. Anyhow a new link is established, tested and working.
Cheers.
impossible to download...
ReplyDeleteHi Bedrzich.
DeleteThat is weird.
Anyhow a new link is established, tested and working.
Cheers.
Thanks so much for your efforts and lovely taste, Butterboy! A wonderful feast!
ReplyDeleteThank you, John.
DeleteTruly appreciated.
Cheers.
Thanks BB for the new link. Always appreciate your time & effort.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, LakerCrazy.
DeleteCheers.
Obrigado por compartilhar seu excelnte trabaho. Gratidão!! Beto Pacheco Niteroi/ RJ/ Brasil
ReplyDeleteThank you, Beto Pacheco.
DeleteAppreciated. I hope you find more to like here.
Cheers.