Talk about overplaying! (Estelle content)

[lm183902]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmLNCfgrrdo

I just saw this video of Estelle doing "American Boy", and all i could think about was how over the top this performance was.

Don't get me wrong, these guys are killer players, but they're backing a pop artist.

 

[M.Wrenn]

wayyyyyy overplaying, it takes way too much away from the vocals

 

[Joe Gress]

Great fusion band!

But a bit to much for a pop act. Maybe a singer with a much more powerful and filling voice, but not her.

 

[Grayson C.]

I don't think it's overplaying. It overshadows the vocals because the vocals SUCK.

If you want to hear overplaying try some of Uriah Heep's live recordings with Gary Thain.

Like so

 

[DWBass]

I don't think it's overplaying. It overshadows the vocals because the vocals SUCK.

I agree. I don't think she was at her best vocally! She started off horribly! I also think the mix was off. It was probably a bit more balanced onstage but the bass way way up in the recorded mix. Really busy player but hey, that's the way the young (R&B) cats are playing these days. It's all about who can play the best 'runs'! The days of just laying back and grooving are over!

 

[J. Crawford]

I blame the guy on the turntables.

 

[john turner]

that chick has the r&b chick version of the singer from candlebox's voice, like 4 notes. she's way outclassed by the band. a good singer woulda owned that song, with that band too.

 

[Grayson C.]

I agree. I don't think she was at her best vocally! She started off horribly! I also think the mix was off. It was probably a bit more balanced onstage but the bass way way up in the recorded mix. Really busy player but hey, that's the way the young (R&B) cats are playing these days. It's all about who can play the best 'runs'! The days of just laying back and grooving are over!

Uh huh. I'd prefer if he'd lay down something less busy and more groove oriented, but that's preference. Every part he played fit the song and he showed a prety damn good mastery of his instrument. Even his fills showed a nice bit of subtlety.

And honestly, he could have "overplayed" that quie a bit more. He stayed in the pocket and did his job while still managing to show off some damn good skill. Nothing he did HURT the song, I feel.

That singer though...

 

[Smurf-o-Deth]

I blame gayfish.

 

[gjbassist]

I think they overplayed intentionally to cover up her crappy voice! I have heard karaoke singers better than that!

 

[southernrocker]

I think they overplayed intentionally to cover up her crappy voice! I have heard karaoke singers better than that!

That's what I was going to say!

He really needed to turn it up. And they should of gagged her, so the audience would be spared from that horrible voice.

 

[73jbass]

I think they overplayed intentionally to cover up her crappy voice! I have heard karaoke singers better than that!

Yep,no doubt!!

 

[ElMon]

Wheww.. Ear fatigue. I'm going to go relax to some whale sounds and put some ice on my head. Musical vomiting.

 

[neatobassman]

I blame the guy on the turntables.

+1 only thing that I thought was over the top. Everyone else was filling in where the singer was lacking. lol.

 

[Arpeggiator]

i though the middle section was vastly over complicated, her vocals arnt good but still band should have eased of a little i feel.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I agree the band was busy, but Estelle was pretty sad. That's too bad because the single is nice, and she is cute little woman who sure looks the part.

That, however, is the problem. Too many people look the part and have no talent.

 

[narud]

***! ha, i usually love overplaying in an r&b context but damn, joe gress was right..........good fusion band

 

[bassistkll]

Hmmm.

I'm not familiar with this lady's music, but purely from a musical standpoint I think she's the weakest link in this performance. The musicians are all over it. She's pretty, but not much fun to watch. Her pitch, diction and rhythm leave a lot to be desired. A mediocre performance at best.
With today's technology anyone can make a great record. Pulling it off live takes talent and coordination from all involved from the musicians to the technicians. Sorry to say I didn't see much of that here.

 

[FenderAmpeg]

I wish they had overplayed more to cover up the vocals completely.

Ouch!!

 

[ElMon]

The thing is, did you notice how she looked back at the band several times during the performance and then in general had a kind of sour look on her face? Possibly, her band playing all that crap and showboatin on what was a basic, smooth dance track might have thrown her off a little? Just throwin that out there. Plus, I remember when I used to get the SAME look back from vocalists when I was overplaying.

"What the hell you doing? I'm the lead instrument?!?!" the look tried to say.