.

i've always thought Mariah was one of the most talented musicians at that craft,

even though loads of people don't even know she writes her own lyrics & melodies

and produces them (or co-produce them) and never takes a finished track (unless it's a cover).

Anyway, my examples 4 some of her excellent vocal arrangements are:

The Roof, Honey, Breakdown, Underneath The Stars & Petals.

multiple layers, versatile vocals and usually topped with them sultry high notes.

they're so slick and addictive that i find myself skipping the main line 2 hum along with them

PricelessHo said:

Totally agree, she is very underrated in this area mainly because people are just focusing on her hot looks and outfits, they forget she really does run the entire show. Never understood how The Roof wasnt a huge hit here in America, almost every MC fan agrees it was one of her best songs and videos. Also i really do long for her and Walter to collaborate again. There is a new song called "Ordinary World" on the new Katharine Mcphee album and its with Walter, and WOW is it amazing, Kat has great skills too and hopefully continues to grow but the song makes you hope for a MC and walter reunion of some kind.

You’ve touched on one of the key reasons why I like Mariah. I really really like her arrangements. That’s why when some of the songs people dislike by her appeal to me. Behind the lyrics or the guest rapper there’s usually an interesting arrangement in there. This is why I think some of her productions with JD hold up more than his work with others.

I agree with lastdecember too.

Off the top of my head I would add Hall & Oates, Erykah Badu, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Ashford & Simpson, early Billy Joel. There are others but they’re the ones off the top of my head.

Definitely George Michael.

Very true George Michael is another amazing, underrated all around artist too.

Other songs that i would say for Mariah would be

The Wind,Love you till the end of time,After Tonight,Lead the Way

JackieBlue said:

Yet it also seems that the 70's were a very good decade for Vocal arrangements, just Hall and Oates arrangements on "Shes Gone" holy crap, thats enough right there, and Billy Joel too, possibly one of the best artists of that decade next to Stevie and Elton for me.

Luther Vandross

The Bee Gees

Take 6

Prince (duh)

Joni Mitchell

The Beatles

NDRU said:

I was thinking about Prince then got sidetracked. How could I overlook the Bee Gees?

I'd add James Taylor.
[Edited 2/14/07 12:08pm]

JackieBlue said:

yeah he's great, too. I guess some might say Crosby Stills & Nash, though I'm not a big fan myself.

Queen

Obviously Prince and the Beach Boys.

D'Angelo's arrangement on "Cruisin'" made me love that song after hearing the shitty piss-poor version Huey Lewis and Gwineth Paltrow did and hating it.

namepeace said:

A few off the top...




...The Mills Brothers




...The Ink Spots - (Fred Sanford's favorite group. )




...The Flamingos




...Lambert, Hendricks & Ross




...Take 6




...DeBarge




...Manhattan Transfer




...Todd Rundgren




...Steely Dan


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

theAudience said:

My mom dated an ink spot.

unkemptpueblo said:

Heck, I coulda said "Motown" and "anyone produced by Quincy Jones" and been done with it, right?

Ok, you said vocal ARRANGERS:

Luther-Putting 2ghether an impressive looooong line-up of female vocalists(From Cissy Houston to Lisa Fisher).


Maurice White(From EW&F)-He admits that he's a very shy singer,,,but the way he directed Phillip Bailey, Deniece Williams and The Emotions speak for itself. Its like they sang through him in some of the songs. He conducted most of their craft.


Cissy Houston-She was the soprano behind Aretha's "Ain't no way". In fact she arranged the WHOLE back-up singing in Aretha Franklin's early Atlantic sessions. The woman is NO joke.


Stevie Wonder-Like Luther, he knows when to catch his back-up singers @ their peak moment. Listen to "You've Got It Bad Girl" for example


Patrice Rushen-True leader,,,she even gives her back-up vocalists the chance to do their thing in HER record cutting jazz with her teeth paid off when she did those vocal arrangments.

[Edited 2/14/07 13:43pm]

From the younger breed,,,I'd say:


Example of that is her song I Used To Love Him,,,,she echoed the Motown harmonies to the TEE!!!!

namepeace said:

for real. It wouldve saved you some time, but wouldnt have been as cool to look at. thanks for the extra effort

1)MARVIN GAYE

2)STEVIE WONDER

3)PRINCE

4)JONI MITCHELL

5)JOHNNY "GUITAR" WATSON

Wow. Does nobody remember:


Brian Wilson (The Beach Boys)


Richard Carpenter (The Carpenters)

RipHer2Shreds said:

Well, you just did. And thanks for it!

namepeace said:

RipHer2Shreds said:

quitarslinger4 mentioned them earlier in the thread.
If he hadn't, they would've made my list.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

CHAKA KAHN IN HER RUFUS DAYS !!!!!

[Edited 2/14/07 18:58pm]

THE STAPLES SINGERS

prettymansson said:

It seems that many "families" have the ability to sing well together.

(e.g. The Chambers Brothers, etc.)


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

27 replies and no mention of MJ!
It's a no brainer. He is the master of this!

_

I'd have to agree with CSNY. Not a huge fan, but their harmonies are incredible.