P is so talented (multi-instrumentalist, bandleader, composer, arranger, producer sans acting and directing) i was looking at his amazing ( and i mean AMAZING) cover of "Motherless Child) from his performance at Septmo from November 1999, and i was struck by how well he sing using his lower-register. He sung so soulfully, passionately, it gave me goosebumps. I just wanted to know what other songs of his does he use his deep/mock baritone voice i.e. "Diamonds And Pearls", third verse of "3 Chains 0' Gold" and "Peach"?

money don't matter?

I Love U In Me !

bashraka said:

I wouldn't say that's his lower register on "Motherless Child" - rather his highest full-register! (If he were to go any higher, he would have to use his falsetto)

However, "The Love We Make" and "Still Would Stand All Time" are good examples that display the whole range of his full voice. "Daddy Pop" is another one.

The Most Beautiful Girl In The World
Do U Lie?
Soft And Wet
D&A
Daddy Pop
Dark
Letitgo

What's My Name
Peach
Temptation

I can't believe nobody has mentioned Bob Goerge

Nothing compares 2 u..certain parts

I think he sounds even sexier when he sings in low.
I cant stop listening to Peach.

Although I enjoy everything Prince has done no matter what register. I do believe when Prince sings in a low register voice, he is singing at a level that fits him perfectly.

what about 'Positivity'? There is even some kind of effect on his voice that makes it sound even deeper.

Personally i think Prince should sing in his deep / normal register more often, i sometimes get a bit tired of the falsetto, especially in more bluesy and rocking tunes the falsetto seems out of place.

The Love We Make.

What is really intriguing about his lower-register voice is imagine if he used his normal singing voice on "Dirty Mind". That was his punk-new wave phase and it would have added another dimension to the songs.

He uses it in parts of "Muse 2 the Pharoah" too. I have to agree that I LOVE his baritone voice! It is gorgeous, and has a sexy, purring timbre to it (much like his speaking voice). I am a vocalist, and have been around many great singers, and I must say that Prince has quite the instrument in there. With his range, he can sing most anything!

bashraka, good remark!

The fact that he is singing those new-wave / funk songs on Dirty Mind and Controversy in his falsetto has always been a turn off for me. These songs would have sounded much stronger if he had sung them in his normal register. Also a song like 'Why you wanna threat me so bad' would have sound way better if he used his normal voice on it.
When he uses his falsetto on more 'rocklike' tracks it always sounds a bit tricked, unnatural to me: like sylvester fronting Queen, or something like that.. lol

Give Had U another listen.

TRC segues

There is Lonely.

Riverpoet31 said:

I disagree completely.

I think the fact that he sang those dirty punk-funk songs in a loverman falsetto is one of the things that set him apart and really added to the intrigue and uniqueness of the record.

Parts of Joy in Repetion.

united1878 said:

For one line!

FunkMistress said:

But it is quite a line! Gives me chills

UCantHavaDaMango said:

Me too.

Tell me that you love me girrl...

FunkMistress said:

and there it is.

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

I agree, but I think what helped on record might have hurt him live. When I hear him try to do Uptown or When U Were Mine live it lacks a certain oomph.

I guess that's why he tends to rearrange the melodies live to suit the strongest part of his range.

NDRU said:

Yeah, you may be right. I would think it's a combination of him feeling that the falsetto doesn't have enough impact live - and also that it might hurt his voice a little more, in the long run.

RealMusician said:

i agree, which is funny, because he said he started singing in falsetto because when his voice changed it hurt to sing in the lower register.

But I can imagine that touring using only falsetto could be rough on the vocal chords

the most beautiful girl in the world

Is the middle part of Just As Long As We're Together his first instance of non-falsetto on record?

Non-falsetto is good to hear from Prince when he's singing r&b, but for rock songs like Peach, it makes the songs sound "heavier".

"Play". Good God, his voice is low. And sizzling hot.