Who originated this style of singing?

The more I think about it, the more I feel this style of "under-singing" evolved as a reaction to the over-the-top wailing done by female artists like Christina, Mariah, etc. who over-sing.

Instead of adding endless vowels sound and hollering with abandon, the "hip-singers" truncate syllables and emote in controlled, measured tones.

To me this strengthens my original assertion that the "hip-singing" style evolved from Elisabeth Fraser or some other female singer from across the pond. This almost comes down to European vs. American stylings. Metaphorically speaking, it's like an unassuming little hole-in-the-wall tea shop vs. a garish, oversized chain store.

 

Before people start thinking that these modern hip-singers have anything in common with Elizabeth Fraser, well, no. Fraser has a unique voice and a soprano vocal range which she often used for abstract glossolalia and mouth music, especially during 1980s Cocteau Twins. The talent of all these modern hip-singers combined is a mere fraction of what Elizabeth Fraser had to offer.

 

Either Bjørk or Sinēad O’Connor

 

Wrong on both counts. Sounds nothing like either one.

 

I'm waiting for someone to drag young Joni Mitchell into this and say "Look, *she* started it!" Just 'cos she had a pretty extended high range, with some quirky mannerisms.

 

It absolutely does. Please replace hearing aid battery. Thank you.

 

It was me. I apologize.

 

Nope. Not even close, in any respect. Nice try, and it's time for you to go too, Johnny.

 

I'd say they were influential for women to sing in different ways that led to the kind of thing we are hearing here. I don't see any direct lineage from Rickie Lee Jones and Karen Dalton. Karen Dalton has become more popular, but she was barely a blip on the radar until reasonably recently. You'd be better off looking at Joanna Newsom.

 

Here is some laid back deadpan style femvox from 1962 I dig, which is why I like this modern style, there is an echo of that detached early 60s bohemian cool.

Françoise Hardy - "Ca a Rate" 1962

 

I'll have to check out Karen Dalton. I do have a passing familiarity with Joanna Newsom.

Bjork and Sinead have nothing in common with this style at all. I have lots of Bjork's stuff, and been a fan since The Sugarcubes. There's just no similarity at all.

Who's next? Astrud Gilberto? She sang in a breathy, easygoing, feminine, intimate style too, with no vibrato. Maybe it's her fault.

 

One assumes so.

 

Well, I've had a look through the thread and you've told us who isn't the originator, but I don't see any of your theories upon who is yet.

 

I think it all started with Bessie Smith when she sang "Gimme A Pigfoot".

 

Terribly sorry to disappoint you, old chap. But I’m sure you’ll come around to my way of thinking soon enough. Cheers..

 

I think the OP is on to something...especially when the air waves are full of knock offs of that kind of singing. You wonder what their voices really sound like if they were singing normally. It's more pervasive and has lasted longer than say the wannabe groups front men trying to emulate Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder. Having said that, I would of saved the often over used "Old Codger" card for another time...

 

Go Johnny Go!

 

Johnny be good. Very good.

 

Jeez, you guys....
If she sounds like Kim Deal, you whale on her.
If she sounded like Mariah Carey, you'd whale on her.
If she sounded like Janis Joplin, you'd whale on her.
If she sounded like Celine Dion, you'd whale on her.
If she sounded like Whitney Houston, you'd whale on her.
If she sounded like k.d. lang, you'd whale on her.
If she sounded like Marianne Faithfull, you'd whale on her.
If she sounded like Patsy Cline, you'd whale on her.
If she sounded like Dinah Washington, you'd whale on her.
If she sounded like Paul McCartney, half of you would whale on her. If she sounded like John Lennon, the other half would whale on her.

So... much... whaling. Call you "Ishmael".

D.D.

 

I think it's every half a line that Kate Bush sings. But not the other half.

 

Is hip-singing the same as cursive singing?

 

Yeah I was thinking Hope Sandoval too - not as the originator, but a great example of that sound done well. I called it that "orphan sound" upthread but drew flak for that - will rephrase: resigned melancholy, it is eerie, haunting, desolate, I love her voice.

 

Sou

I don’t see the comparison myself. Rickie is a little more jazz influenced. The style the OP posted is heard on every tv singing show now. It all sounds the same along with the new male country singers.

Where are the originals, Dylan, Young, Petty?
Rant over back to shaking my fist at the clouds.

 

sounds like CAT POWER to me

 

Couldn't point out an obvious connect, but my appreciation of Astrud Gilberto is part of the appeal, and why I am open to modern attempts - though Astrud is the Queen of Cool. It's nothing new .