Premier Rock Forum

I always thought the talk singer was a total cop out- sidestepping the challenges of range and pitch. Then I had a correspondence recording project with some friends that required me to do "Fall-esque" talky vocals. It was way harder than I thought.

Lou Reed definitely has long stints where he's only speaking in rhythm but he also hit alit of notes on the Velvets' albums. You could also put Iggy Pop next to him, he just snarls more. Smith has a more focused consistency to his approach.

Also, add William Shatner.

Krev wrote: Mon Jan 16, 2023 10:34 pm While I voted MES, "Take a Walk on the Wild Side" is the quintessential talk-sung song.

Yes, I'll also do a write in for Bob Dylan, Nico, and Johnny Cash for doing a lot of talk-singing, and a lot of jazz, blues and country dudes generally.

Of the three choices, I think Reed was the most versatile within his limitations.

losthighway wrote: I always thought the talk singer was a total cop out- sidestepping the challenges of range and pitch.

"Just S'Step The Challenges Of Range And Pitch" is my favorite Fall song.

And a write-in for Craig Finn here.

enframed wrote: Mon Jan 16, 2023 1:10 pm

penningtron wrote: Mon Jan 16, 2023 12:50 pm MES

If Lou Reed passes as a 'talker' then David Byrne should qualify too, who'd be my #2.

yeah, I never thought of Reed as a talker.

Oh, he for sure is! Just listen to anything on New York, which I'd consider pretty representative of his later era records. VU and super early Reed records not as much. Probably really starts out around Blue Mask, which has several songs where the verses are mostly talked.

Lou might win just for fuggin' TAKE NO PRISONERS which has to be a 90/10 talking/singing ratio.

From this list, M.E.S., who is the guvnor. Fuck Lou Reed.

First thing I thought of when I saw the thread was Brian McMahan. He didn't just talk (so might not be applicable), but when he did, he talked w/ the best of them. An iconic talker, even. Drew across a huge emotional range using this technique, from deep existential ice fear:

"The boy's face went pale
He recognized the sound
Silently, he pulled down the shade against the shadow
Lost in the doorstep of the empty house"

to warm yet mildly wistful:

"At the gate I said goodnight to the fortune teller
The carnival sign threw colored shadows on her face
But I could tell she was blushing"

Salute, Brian McMahan.

bigc wrote: Tue Jan 17, 2023 11:44 am And a write-in for Craig Finn here.

Seconded.

Latter Mark Kozelek.

Dude from Cake.