last unicorn
Blue Crack Addict
bradyvox said:In falsetto the vocal cords are not closing fully so if used properly it is probably easier on the voice in the long run. However, on a damaged voice, falsetto is more difficult (i.e. try singing falsetto next time you have a cold and are coughing for hours on end!)
In Bono's current situation, he does have a falsetto in the studio and also has some of the notes live. Some falsetto phrases are easier to do than others and he can do these live.
However, the bottom line is: his falsetto is definitely not what it used to be, therefore he is sometimes unsure and doesn't use it as often (watch the beginning of Window in the Skies from the Japanese TV show and you'll see how tentative he is at the beggining).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQwAWmBIP4I
at 17 seconds he goes to sing the high falsetto part and realizes it isn't going to come out so he backs away from the mic...
In general, you'll notice Bono does most falsetto parts on TV specials in between tours or at the beggining of a leg of a tour, but during a major tour, his ability to perform a good falsetto decreases.
This is most likely the result of some vocal swelling from singing 2 hours a night. Since the vocal cords must remain open during falsetto, if they are bit swollen they won't produce the sound as well and the falsetto is shaky or non-existant depending on the note and phrasing. When he is rested his falsetto improves.
On Zoo Tv and even POP our man was younger and his vocal cords didn't have the wear they have now, so he was better able to sustain falsetto throughout the tour...
This is not Bono bashing, I think I am describing factual information. I do think his overall voice is the best it has been since Zoo TV and his chest voice (like belting out "Wide Awake" in Bad or chorus in Pride) is definitely much improved from the Pop and Elevation tours. I got goosepbumps several times during the Vertigo tour when he hammered out those high notes...he still is an amazing singer, but his voice has changed.
Cheers,
Brady
This is a very profound analysis and I agree with it. Thank you for explaining your point of view.
I also think Bono may be scared to sing his falsetto these days in concerts because if it comes out the wrong way it can sound pretty horrible and do damage to his voice.
Especially during tours, the voice cannot be in the same shape every night. There are many factors that can influence the voice, make it better or worse. Singing live is always risky and physically demanding.
His voice has definitly changed over the years. I am not saying it's not good, more the opposite, he has a fantastic voice these days, it's just different. Most singers don't have the same voice in their 40s than they had 20 years ago. Things in life simply have an impact on the voice. Except maybe for those who take extra care and never do live shows.
Bono has simply over-used his voice over the years and it affected his singing heavily in the late 90s. But now, his voice is amazingly strong and clear again.
He should just stick to singing the stuff that he is able to sing and that he is good at. And you simply cannot expect every singer to be able to sing anything and everything. Bono still has a great, very versatile voice, unlike many other singers his age.