CSNY Live 1974

NOBODY sings as well at 70 as they do at 30 or 40--it's natural physical degradation. Range and flexibility decline. For some (McCartney, Fogerty) it's a little and for others it's a lot.
Other "maturation" factors can actually result in an improvement in areas for some singers, but you can't get past the "older muscles" factor. That's why you don't see Deion Sanders on the football field or Michael Jordan on the basketball court.

If you've heard Steven Stills lately, there is no denying that his voice is shot. And I mean really, really gone. However, he can still sling his axe pretty well.

And thanks for the heads up on this box set. The recordings come from a time when CSN&Y were one of the finest bands on the planet...

-RW-

The last time I saw Fleetwood Mac, I believe that they demonstrated a neat trick to address this issue. Every time Stevie Nicks had to go to her highest registers, two "sound alike" back up singers joined in. They were subtle enough in the mix enough to preserve her timbre and the illusion that it was Nicks, but audible enough to convey the note.

I was impressed: The songs worked despite the natural decline in her voice and showed that a creative work-around can help diminish (tho not completely eliminate) this essentially inevitable problem.

Martykl- very interesting. Way better than lip-synching.

Saw Justin Hayward this past Thursday at Rams Head in Annapolis, MD.

His voice was as good as or better than ever, at least this night. I was impressed! I think he has a vocal style that lends itself to long term preservation. No vocal theatrics for the most part. He could be hit or miss on any given day even when younger. He is on tour a good part of each year every year still pretty much. I suspect he has learned how to deliver the goods people expect without burning out along the way. Pretty amazing really. I hope I can still do things well at that age.

He had a amazing young guitarist with him named Mike Dawes who opened solo and played with Justin along with a young lady on keyboard and backing vocals. It all worked perfectly. Dawes has a bright future ahead of him I think. Check out his videos on youtube.