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Solo forums => Paul McCartney => Topic started by: Maccafan95 on April 12, 2012, 05:06:09 AM

Title: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: Maccafan95 on April 12, 2012, 05:06:09 AM
Ok, so I was watching some Wings videos from the '76 American Tour, and I found that there are ALOT of comments about how Linda's singing is, quote on quote, "terrible". Why is there such a blacklash for this? I mean, I have read that it was alot worse when Wings were just starting out, ex. the 'dog with Wings' joke, alot of negative reviews for the pre-BOTN albums, etc.

Because, to be honest, I really actually quite like her singing backup for Paul, and I do enjoy the few numbers where she takes the lead vocal.  :) (But still, that's only my opinion.)

Still, any thoughts?
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: nimrod on April 12, 2012, 05:27:51 AM
Linda's singing is one of the reasons I cant listen to Wings records, just not my cup of tea.
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: Toejam on April 12, 2012, 08:22:04 AM
Michael Jackson liked them...acc. to Paul a/w.  :) I think when they're treated they sound good and obviously it helps if the song is a classic. Her 'soup and puree' b/v's on Monkberry moon delight are sublime but then that is a classic song.
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: Bobber on April 12, 2012, 08:28:47 AM
It wasn't always good to be honest.

Linda McCartney Sings! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoH9zP_n_g0#)
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: glass onion on April 12, 2012, 10:10:55 AM
oh my word...i knew that existed but i have never listened to lindas' vocals on that until now.good grief.all i can say is she must have been bloody muted on the control desk for the out-front p.a,and that is just her moniter mix.she sounded BLOODY AWFUL.i've heard better at my local at chucking-out time on a friday night.
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: jamesbjorkman on April 12, 2012, 04:47:48 PM
http://youtu.be/uhR1fvHidAw (http://youtu.be/uhR1fvHidAw)

This is an old game, the "isolated mic to show how fake she is."  When you can't even hear yourself because of the crowd noise and you are nervous and out of breath, it's not hard to sound like a Karaoke reject.  The wonder is all the studio tricks that get these girls sounding good at all, and the fact that guys like Paul can belt difficult stuff out without tricks.
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: Hombre_de_ningun_lugar on April 12, 2012, 06:50:28 PM
Linda's singing is one of the reasons I cant listen to Wings records, just not my cup of tea.

Same here. And I do like Band On The Run, but Linda's vocals is one of its low points in my opinion.
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: Bobber on April 13, 2012, 07:25:26 AM
This is an old game, the "isolated mic to show how fake she is."  When you can't even hear yourself because of the crowd noise and you are nervous and out of breath, it's not hard to sound like a Karaoke reject.  The wonder is all the studio tricks that get these girls sounding good at all, and the fact that guys like Paul can belt difficult stuff out without tricks.

Of course you're right. On the other hand: by the time of this recording monitor sets were not bad at all and she had been in the music business long enough to get to monitor alright for her voice. I do like Linda's harmonies on most Wings recordings tho, but as a lead singer (especially Cook Of The House) she is just not good enough.
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: tkitna on April 13, 2012, 03:30:29 PM
I love her harmonies and I think she is the reason Wings has a signature sound. She isnt good all the time, but count me as a fan.
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: Klang on April 13, 2012, 09:32:20 PM

Right. She has a natural quality. Not a trained singer sound. I think that adds a lot of charm to it all.

 :)

Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: jamesbjorkman on April 13, 2012, 11:09:27 PM
Of course you're right. On the other hand: by the time of this recording monitor sets were not bad at all and she had been in the music business long enough to get to monitor alright for her voice. I do like Linda's harmonies on most Wings recordings tho, but as a lead singer (especially Cook Of The House) she is just not good enough.

I completely agree, Linda never should have sung any leads.  But Paul wanted Wings to be a group, not a backing band.  In his experience, everyone in a group had their chance to sing at some point.

She was good as a backup.  She helped give Wings its distinctive signature sound, a sound I personally like, and simply being there as a female gave the group an added dimension.

I think there was a (maybe subconscious) competition/rivalry with Lennon/Yoko on this "wife as singer" score.  It's interesting that after Lennon's death, one of the first things Paul did was disband Wings, and we seldom (if ever) heard any lead vocals from Linda again.
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: nimrod on April 14, 2012, 12:07:53 AM
I love her harmonies and I think she is the reason Wings has a signature sound. She isnt good all the time, but count me as a fan.

I think the opposite, she ruins the sound and sure as hell stops me listening, fair enough if Paul wanted her on stage, just take away her mike, i dont think the keyboard was plugged in anyway

cant decide who was worse, her or yoko
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: tkitna on April 14, 2012, 12:35:17 AM
cant decide who was worse, her or yoko

Think about what you just said. Good lord man.
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: Maccafan95 on April 14, 2012, 01:18:27 AM
Think about what you just said. Good lord man.

 :o I agree
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: nimrod on April 14, 2012, 02:25:31 AM
Think about what you just said. Good lord man.

I actually like Yoko's voice on a couple of things
Happy Xmas & Bungalow Bill
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: Hello Goodbye on April 14, 2012, 03:30:25 AM
I think the opposite, she ruins the sound and sure as hell stops me listening, fair enough if Paul wanted her on stage, just take away her mike, i dont think the keyboard was plugged in anyway

cant decide who was worse, her or yoko


This might help you decide, Kev...


The Mike Douglas Show with John Lennon, Yoko Ono & Chuck Berry [1972] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=495VEzYjABg#)



;)
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: Hello Goodbye on April 14, 2012, 03:34:42 AM
Right. She has a natural quality. Not a trained singer sound. I think that adds a lot of charm to it all.

 :)



I agree.
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: tkitna on April 14, 2012, 03:42:17 AM
Bungalow Bill

Oh my God Kev. I just dont know what to say. Her voice sounds like the wicked witch in Snow White during that song. I cant believe that appeals to you, but to each their own.
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: jamesbjorkman on April 14, 2012, 04:28:50 PM
http://youtu.be/GiTY0vEd7oI (http://youtu.be/GiTY0vEd7oI)

Here's some classic Yoko for you fans.  "No, No, No."  Title is perfect!
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: nimrod on April 15, 2012, 12:07:33 AM
This might help you decide, Kev...


The Mike Douglas Show with John Lennon, Yoko Ono & Chuck Berry [1972] ([url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=495VEzYjABg#[/url])

please dont think for a minute I like Yoko as a singer, I dont need to watch any videos Barry :) if she was ever in tune on a record (Happy Xmas) it was because the producer did take after take and spliced the good bits together, as Jack Douglas did on Double Fantasy..

truth be known I cant stand either



;)
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: Hello Goodbye on April 15, 2012, 12:19:41 AM
truth be known I cant stand either



;)



I knew that, Kev.  But you said you couldn't decide who was worse, Linda or Yoko.


I think Linda sounded pretty good here...

Man We Was Lonely - Paul McCartney (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLGCSyRZzYQ#)

Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: nimrod on April 15, 2012, 01:56:45 AM
theyre both terrible imo Barry, as I say its quite easy to make anybody sound good in a studio
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: Hello Goodbye on April 15, 2012, 06:37:38 AM
Linda's a pretty good bluegrass singer, Kev...


I've Just Seen A Face Wings Live 1975 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nloCDSGECE8#)



 ;D
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: Maccafan95 on April 15, 2012, 01:41:36 PM
Linda's a pretty good bluegrass singer, Kev...


I've Just Seen A Face Wings Live 1975 ([url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nloCDSGECE8#[/url])



 ;D


I was actually listening to this version on my Ipod last night  ;D
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: tkitna on April 16, 2012, 12:16:16 AM
Linda's a pretty good bluegrass singer, Kev...


I've Just Seen A Face Wings Live 1975 ([url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nloCDSGECE8#[/url])



 ;D


Damn, this didnt help my case at all. She was pretty rough on that one.
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: nimrod on April 16, 2012, 12:22:58 AM
Linda's a pretty good bluegrass singer, Kev...


I've Just Seen A Face Wings Live 1975 ([url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nloCDSGECE8#[/url])





 ;D


sounds like that cat I could hear late last night Barry :)
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: Hello Goodbye on April 16, 2012, 12:31:13 AM
There are cats in Australia?
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: Maccafan95 on April 16, 2012, 01:10:10 AM
Damn, this didnt help my case at all. She was pretty rough on that one.

It appears that her microphone was turned up too much. This is what I don't understand, why is her mic louder than Paul's?  ???

My guess: The sound people goofed or this is a fan's soundmix (probably not)
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: Hello Goodbye on April 16, 2012, 01:13:13 AM
I like Linda's voice.
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: Maccafan95 on April 16, 2012, 10:39:26 AM
I like Linda's voice.

I never said I didn't. I just find it weird that her microphone is turned up higher than Paul's.

Very strange indeed.
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: Gary910 on April 16, 2012, 05:04:44 PM
I love her harmonies and I think she is the reason Wings has a signature sound. She isnt good all the time, but count me as a fan.

I agree wholeheartedly.

Wow, Todd, you and I can agree.
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: tkitna on April 16, 2012, 05:43:59 PM
Wow, Todd, you and I can agree.

I disagree.  ha2ha
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: nimrod on April 17, 2012, 12:06:31 AM
I like Linda's voice.

but Im guessing you and Todd like her voice because she was married to Paul, your not being truly objective, she is a lousy singer Barry, if she was on any talent show they would give her 1/10 max.
Anybody who isnt a fan of Wings and listened to them would immediately say she is not good enough for a pro band, even in that bluegrass clip Barry posted she goes off key.

If Paul wanted a live or studio female singer he shouldve hired one, a professional one who could actually sing, I would doubt that Linda couldve stood up alone on a stage in a room full of people and impressed them with her singing, your Wings fans and your seeing/hearing through Wings coloured glasses, she couldnt sing, neither can Yoko. If you actually like her poor singing well OK, but at least admit that she is not a pro standard singer.
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: Maccafan95 on April 17, 2012, 01:19:01 AM
If you actually like her poor singing well OK, but at least admit that she is not a pro standard singer.

Yes, she is not a pro-standard singer, but that's why I like her. If you think about, some of the best vocalists hit you from the angle you're least expecting. Bob Dylan did that with me. Linda, while not a "pro" like Paul was, is still an alright singer in my book. Still, just my opinion.
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: nimrod on April 17, 2012, 01:37:33 AM
Yes, she is not a pro-standard singer, but that's why I like her. If you think about, some of the best vocalists hit you from the angle you're least expecting. Bob Dylan did that with me. Linda, while not a "pro" like Paul was, is still an alright singer in my book. Still, just my opinion.

I only need to look at your avatar and username maccafan to know your opinion :)
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: Maccafan95 on April 17, 2012, 01:56:23 AM
I only need to look at your avatar and username maccafan to know your opinion :)

lol, I guess so  :P
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: Hello Goodbye on April 17, 2012, 02:38:44 AM
Kev, I said I liked her voice.  And I do precisely because she isn't pitch-perfect.  But she fit into Wings well.  Perhaps she can be considered the Stu Sutcliffe of Wings.

I'm sure Paul worked hard with her in the studio and I'm sure it took several takes to yield what we hear on Wings albums.  She also worked hard at being a mother and photographer.  she was perfect for Paul in so many ways.

I am trying to be objective.
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: nimrod on April 17, 2012, 07:04:46 AM
Kev, I said I liked her voice.  And I do precisely because she isn't pitch-perfect. 

I am trying to be objective.

Ok you like her cos she's not pitch perfect..........But if I said, yoko isnt pitch perfect, do you like her too ? you would probably say no you didnt like yoko's singing so your not really being objective :)

Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: tkitna on April 17, 2012, 01:00:46 PM
but Im guessing you and Todd like her voice because she was married to Paul, your not being truly objective,

Are you serious? When have I never been objective? I like her harmonies and background vocals. Do I think Paul did his magic in the studio for it to sound good? Hell yeah. Do I think she has a good voice? Hell no. Would I go to a concert featuring Linda McCartney solely on vocals? Absolutly HELL no, but I do like her doctored vocals on Wings songs, so your right on that account. Do I think her voice is a deal breaker for me to enjoy good music from Paul? Not even close. There's going to have to be a bigger reason than that.

See, where I think Linda did contribute to Wings, I cant see anything positive in that light for Yoko. She took away regardless of the setting.
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: tkitna on April 17, 2012, 01:10:59 PM
I bablled on, but I guess what I want to say is that I dont think she's a good singer, but I like her voice anyways.

Also, Kev said for us to be objective when he hates all the Beatles olo stuff regardless. Hmm, interesting. I didnt read through the entire thread again, but are you blaming Lindas voice for your hatred of Wings Kevin? If so, whats your excuse for John, George, and Ringo? I dont think you would like Wings even if Aretha Franklin was singing backgrounds.  ha2ha
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: nimrod on April 17, 2012, 10:38:15 PM
OK heres my take on this;
This thread was started by maccafan asking why Linda was given a hard time over her singing.
IMO this is because she put herself up as a singer, when a singer she is not, she is a very average singer, you would hear better singers in most karaoke bars, I watched a pub group last week called Mixed Nuts with a female singer who was much better than Linda, she could sing Aretha songs, not as good as Aretha but she put them over well.
You get my drift here, Linda gets ridiculed because Paul made her into a singer and she is a poor singer, therefore she will get jokes told about here and given a hard time.
Now people who are big fans of Wings music will say 'hang on' I like her voice, I know she isnt Aretha but it fits well, they say this because the love the records with Linda singing on them, they love the 'sound' of those records, which I have absolutely no problem with..
What Im saying is that its obvious why Linda gets a hard time as a singer, yes, great wife & Mother photographer ? no doubt, but if you put yourself on a world stage as a _ _ _ _ _ _ (whatever) and you dont actually have talent in that field then you will be ridiculed, but you guys are saying she shouldnt be ridiculed as you like her voice on the concerts and records, therefore in my opinion you are not being objective.
Also its not fair that some put up vidoes of Yoko screeching and saying 'how about this, this is typical yoko etc' we all know that it was terrible, like a wounded cat, but as I said, on some records I think she sounds ok, like this;


Yoko Ono: "I'm Moving On" (1980) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJt2UVbrbUk#)

Now Im not stupid, I know that Jack Douglas 'made' her sound good on that record and maybe even John Wrote it, the difference here is that I will ridicule Yoko myself even though I think she sounds ok on some tracks, I dont understand why you Wings fans cant understand why Linda gets ribbed over her (lack of) voice by non Wings fans.

Todd, no Im not blaming Linda's voice for me not liking Wings, I dont like Wings mainly because it is not the kind of music I like, I think the songs in the main are poor, Linda;s singing is just another reason I dont like Wings. After The Beatles (1970) I got into serious rock bands like Yes, Jethro Tull, King Crimson and Pink Floyd, I and my Beatle fan mates couldnt understand why Paul was making music like C Moon, Mary Had A Little Lamb and silly love songs etc when there was an explosion of serious rock music in the world but we decided he was after the sub 16 kids who were still buying singles and yes still screaming at him (which is probably what he wanted most)
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: jamesbjorkman on April 17, 2012, 11:33:13 PM
For me, it boils down to this: Linda and Yoko were both poor amateur singers.  The difference is that, while Paul over-did it with Linda at times by giving her leads and some backups that were too prominent, he usually was smart enough to figure out a way to work within her limitations so she could contribute in ways the other Wings guys could not.  Having a female voice, especially that of the woman he loved, on "Silly Love Songs" and some other tunes just made them better in ways Denny Laine couldn't.  No Carly Simon, to be sure, but she could fill a productive role as a generic female backup with unique associations to Paul.

As for Yoko, she and John both thought she was just a fabulous lead with a groundbreaking new sound, the wave of the future.  Totally wrong.  She ruined "Double Fantasy" and some of his other stuff which could have been great.  Any positive contribution she made was random ("Happy Xmas" springs to mind) because the tune happened to be better with any emotional female voice, and had nothing whatsoever to do with her being a useful cog in a productive machine, like Linda.

They both didn't merit their positions in a pure meritocracy, but Ringo wasn't exactly Al Jolson, either, and I like his stuff.  Linda was used a lot more cannily than Yoko was.
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: tkitna on April 18, 2012, 10:34:06 PM
Two great posts right there from Kevin and James. I guess I kind of lost track to the threads subject matter. Does Linda deserve some ribbing? Yeah, but in her defense, lets remember that she never wanted to sing or be in the band to begin with. Paul kind of pushed her into that role. Yoko on the other hand, pushed herself into her role. Linda readily admitted that she had lackluster talent where Yoko though she was a freaking genius.
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: nimrod on April 20, 2012, 12:57:12 AM
Linda readily admitted that she had lackluster talent where Yoko though she was a freaking genius.

Oh come on Todd, its like here we go again, Lennons = baddies, McCartneys = goodies, poor old Linda eh, forced to sing and perform by her husband when all she wants to do is ride horses and do the ironing....haha

You dont know what Yoko thought, how do you know John wasnt doing exactly the same as paul ?

but yeah its fashionable to bash Yoko (and to know what she was thinking without ever meeting/talking her)

and then again Fred Seaman says it so it must be true haha
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: tkitna on April 20, 2012, 10:13:38 PM
Oh come on Todd, its like here we go again, Lennons = baddies, McCartneys = goodies, poor old Linda eh, forced to sing and perform by her husband when all she wants to do is ride horses and do the ironing....haha

You dont know what Yoko thought, how do you know John wasnt doing exactly the same as paul ?

but yeah its fashionable to bash Yoko (and to know what she was thinking without ever meeting/talking her)

and then again Fred Seaman says it so it must be true haha

Your right. I give up. Linda and Yoko were practically the same exact person, in the same exact position. You win.
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: nimrod on April 20, 2012, 11:17:03 PM
Your right. I give up. Linda and Yoko were practically the same exact person, in the same exact position. You win.

eh ??

C'mon Todd, you cant just give up..........I demand you argue with me  hahahahaha
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: Hello Goodbye on April 21, 2012, 12:08:37 AM
I like Linda's voice.



 ;D
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: tkitna on April 21, 2012, 01:20:22 AM
C'mon Todd, you cant just give up..........I demand you argue with me  hahahahaha

I cant. You refuse to acknowledge the written and spoken history of these people so its a no win situation.

I still love you though.  ;D
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: 7 of 13 on April 21, 2012, 06:55:32 PM
[url]http://youtu.be/uhR1fvHidAw[/url] ([url]http://youtu.be/uhR1fvHidAw[/url])

This is an old game, the "isolated mic to show how fake she is."  When you can't even hear yourself because of the crowd noise and you are nervous and out of breath, it's not hard to sound like a Karaoke reject.  The wonder is all the studio tricks that get these girls sounding good at all, and the fact that guys like Paul can belt difficult stuff out without tricks.
i agree with the studio tricks thing.
Sonny & Cher - The Beat Goes On (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CuCxxXCM4I#)
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: Hello Goodbye on April 22, 2012, 12:43:44 AM
i agree with the studio tricks thing.
Sonny & Cher - The Beat Goes On ([url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CuCxxXCM4I#[/url])


They sounded pretty good live too...

Sonny&Cher - The Beat Goes On (live) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to0irFedGqc#)

Sonny and Cher - I Got You Babe ('65) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCnrVSWjCAM#)
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: jamesbjorkman on April 22, 2012, 04:46:00 AM
http://youtu.be/IHHxYl75eu8 (http://youtu.be/IHHxYl75eu8)

Just a little proof that Paul is more than OK live as well.  Saying that Linda isn't as good a singer as these and other pros (Sinatra, Bennett, Peggy Lee, Donna Summer, whoever) isn't a slam imho, it's just obvious fact.  Everybody works with what they have and most pop personalities weren't blessed with naturally strong pipes.
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: Mairi on April 24, 2012, 06:11:00 PM
I think I'm the only one who enjoys Linda's solo record. I don't think she has a good voice at all, but it's kind of cool and weird, like if the Shaggs had better production values.
Title: Re: Reasons For Negative Reactions To Linda's Singing?
Post by: jamesbjorkman on April 27, 2012, 10:12:46 PM
http://youtu.be/eIUV37lmOUQ (http://youtu.be/eIUV37lmOUQ)

Paul talks in 1982 about having Linda in "Wings."  He realized "there were better musicians than Linda," but that wasn't what it was about.  "In truth, I just wanted Linda up there."