VOCAL HARMONIES IN ROCK
Previously posted September 20, 2019
VA - Great Harmonies in Rock CD1 + CD2 (A Butterboy Compilation) + Bonus VA - Great Close Harmonies (A Butterboy Compilation)
It's a beautiful thing when you hear rock bands using vocal harmonies. Nothing sends chills up and down your spine like great rock music with tight harmonies. Sometimes all band member sing together offering their own vocal tilt while playing instruments. Sometimes backup singers are used where they can offer a more structured support harmony. And sometimes just two artists share their voices to create the most beautiful of harmonies.
There are many styles of harmony in music like, classical baroque style, operas and choral music style (often using tense sounding vocal harmonies), barbershop quartet style, a Capella style, Gospel style, Doo-wop style, swing jazz harmonies and band back-up singing. In many rock bands, the musicians doing backup vocals also play instruments, such as keyboards, rhythm guitar or drums.
To sing vocal harmony in a rock context, singers need to be able to adjust the pitch of their notes so that they are in tune with the pitch of the lead vocalist and the band's instruments. As well, the rhythm of the backup harmony parts has to be in time with the lead singer and the rhythm section. While some bands use relatively simple harmony vocals, with long, slow-moving vocal harmony notes supporting the vocal lead during the chorus sections, other bands make the backup singers into more equal partners of the main vocalist. In more vocally oriented bands, backup singers may have to sing complex parts which demand a vocal agility and sensitivity equal to that of the main vocal line. Usually, rock bands use harmony vocals while the rest of the band is playing; however, as an effect, some rock harmony vocals are done a Capella, without instrumental accompaniment.
The artist included in these tracks are experts at using vocal harmonies that is ideally suited to the music being played. All tracks on the first two discs explore the only Male vocal harmonies. (I have not included boy bands and doo wop groups here). I have concentrated on rock band male vocals which may also vary from full on rock to some folk based material.
Also included is a third set of tracks which, for me, concentrate on complex and close vocals harmonies. These tracks also do include female and A Capella vocal harmony covering a multitude of genres. These tracks are great examples of vocal harmonies that elevate the songs to great heights. I hope you enjoy these selections.
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Track list 1
1 Beatles - Because 2:45 1969
2 Beach Boys - Don't Worry Baby 2:47 1964
3 Alice in Chains - No Excuses 4:15 1994
4 America - Children 3:04 1971
5 Spirit - Give a Life, Take a Life 3:22 1969
6 Simon & Garfunkel - The Sounds of Silence 3:09 1966
7 Bee Gees - New York Mining Disaster 1941 2:11 1967
8 Byrds - Goin' Back 3:32 1968
9 Crosby, Stills & Nash - Helplessly Hoping 2:37 1969
10 Everly Brothers - All I Have to Do is Dream 2:21 1958
11 Doobie Brothers - Toulouse Street 3:14 1972
12 Band - The Weight 4:37 1968
13 Tufano & Giammarese - Comunicate 4:14 1973
14 Hollies - Carrie Anne 2:57 1967
15 10cc - I'm Not in Love 3:41 1975
16 Eagles - Lyin' Eyes 6:20 1975
17 Association - The Time it is Today 2:11 1968
18 Seals & Crofts - Diamond Girl 4:14 1973
19 Klaatu - For You Girl 2:36 1973
20 R.E.M. - Near Wild Heaven 3:19 1991
21 Queen - You're My Best Friend 2:53 1975
22 Elliott Smith - Tomorrow Tomorrow 3:07 1998
23 Shorrock, Birtles & Goble - Kings of the World 2:30 1975
24 Buffalo Springfield - Rock and Roll Woman 2:40 1967
25 Who - Behind the Blue Eyes 3:42 1971
Track list 2
26 Eagles - Seven Bridges Road (Live) 3:04 1980
27 Fleet Foxes - Fool's Errand 4:48 2017
28 America - Sandman 5:08 1971
29 Cream - I Feel Free 2:51 1966
30 Band of Horses - Marry Song 3:23 2007
31 Toto - Africa 4:59 1982
32 Lovin' Spoonful - Full Measure 2:40 1966
33 Lindisfarne - Lady Eleanor 4:12 1970
34 Poco - Here We Go Again 3:29 1973
35 Young Rascals - I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore 2:46 1965
36 Radiohead - Let Down 4:59 1997
37 Loggins & Messina - Be Free 7:00 1974
38 Sweet - Love is Like Oxygen 3:47 1978
39 Grateful Dead - Sugar Magnolia 3:17 1970
40 Everly Brothers - Bye Bye Love 2:21 1958
41 Beatles - Michelle 2:39 1965
42 Eagles - New Kid in Town 5:03 1994
43 Low - Try to Sleep 4:20 2011
44 Electric Light Orchestra - Mr. Blue Sky 3:44 1977
45 Yardbirds - For Your Love 2:30 1965
46 Association - No Fair at All 2:34 1966
47 Peter Paul & Mary - Where Have All The Flowers Gone 3:59 1962
48 Byrds - Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There is a Season) 3:36 1965
49 Doobie Brothers - Listen to the Music 3:28 1972
50 Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody 5:50 1975
Track list 3
1 Chordettes - Mr. Sandman 2:23 1954
2 Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Suite - Judy Blue Eyes 7:22 1969
3 Mama's & the Papa's - Monday Monday 3:25 1966
4 Byrds - I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better 2:34 1965
5 Blind Boys of Alabama - Wade in the Water 3:34 2002
6 Andrew Sisters With Les Paul - Rumors Are Flying 2:57 1946
7 Four Seasons - Rag Doll 3:00 1964
8 Beach Boys - Heroes and Villains 3:36 1967
9 Platters - I'm Just a Dancing Partner 2:18 1958
10 Decameron - Rock and Roll Woman 2:13 1974
11 Little Big Town - Vapor 4:13 2007
12 Puppini Sisters - Moon River 3:54 2011
13 Grupo Vocal Desandann - Guede Nibo 2:07 1999
14 Oak Ridge Boys - Lots of Matchbooks 3:05 1978
15 Maddy Prior and the Girls - I Need You to Turn 3:13 2002
16 Sweet Honey in the Rock - Dog Dog 2:10 2007
17 Gladiators - Look is Deceiving 3:48 1976
18 Home Free - Ring of Fire 2:21 2013
19 Amadou & Mariam - Je Pense a Toi 5:16 1998
20 Scala and Kolacny Bros - With Or Without You 4:37 2011
21 Lettermen - When I Fall in Love 2:28 1961
22 Jubalaires - A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes 2:34 1950
23 Shorrock, Birtles & Goble - Kings of the World 2:30 1975
24 Roy Shirley & the Uniques - Facts of Life 3:01 1968
25 Eagles - Seven Bridges Road (Live) 3:04 1980
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It's a beautiful thing when you hear rock bands using vocal harmonies. Nothing sends chills up and down your spine like great rock music with tight harmonies. Sometimes all band member sing together offering their own vocal tilt while playing instruments. Sometimes backup singers are used where they can offer a more structured support harmony. And sometimes just two artists share their voices to create the most beautiful of harmonies.
There are many styles of harmony in music like, classical baroque style, operas and choral music style (often using tense sounding vocal harmonies), barbershop quartet style, a Capella style, Gospel style, Doo-wop style, swing jazz harmonies and band back-up singing. In many rock bands, the musicians doing backup vocals also play instruments, such as keyboards, rhythm guitar or drums.
To sing vocal harmony in a rock context, singers need to be able to adjust the pitch of their notes so that they are in tune with the pitch of the lead vocalist and the band's instruments. As well, the rhythm of the backup harmony parts has to be in time with the lead singer and the rhythm section. While some bands use relatively simple harmony vocals, with long, slow-moving vocal harmony notes supporting the vocal lead during the chorus sections, other bands make the backup singers into more equal partners of the main vocalist. In more vocally oriented bands, backup singers may have to sing complex parts which demand a vocal agility and sensitivity equal to that of the main vocal line. Usually, rock bands use harmony vocals while the rest of the band is playing; however, as an effect, some rock harmony vocals are done a Capella, without instrumental accompaniment.
The artist included in these tracks are experts at using vocal harmonies that is ideally suited to the music being played. All tracks on the first two discs explore the only Male vocal harmonies. (I have not included boy bands and doo wop groups here). I have concentrated on rock band male vocals which may also vary from full on rock to some folk based material.
Also included is a third set of tracks which, for me, concentrate on complex and close vocals harmonies. These tracks also do include female and A Capella vocal harmony covering a multitude of genres. These tracks are great examples of vocal harmonies that elevate the songs to great heights. I hope you enjoy these selections.
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ALL 
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Track list 1
1 Beatles - Because 2:45 1969
2 Beach Boys - Don't Worry Baby 2:47 1964
3 Alice in Chains - No Excuses 4:15 1994
4 America - Children 3:04 1971
5 Spirit - Give a Life, Take a Life 3:22 1969
6 Simon & Garfunkel - The Sounds of Silence 3:09 1966
7 Bee Gees - New York Mining Disaster 1941 2:11 1967
8 Byrds - Goin' Back 3:32 1968
9 Crosby, Stills & Nash - Helplessly Hoping 2:37 1969
10 Everly Brothers - All I Have to Do is Dream 2:21 1958
11 Doobie Brothers - Toulouse Street 3:14 1972
12 Band - The Weight 4:37 1968
13 Tufano & Giammarese - Comunicate 4:14 1973
14 Hollies - Carrie Anne 2:57 1967
15 10cc - I'm Not in Love 3:41 1975
16 Eagles - Lyin' Eyes 6:20 1975
17 Association - The Time it is Today 2:11 1968
18 Seals & Crofts - Diamond Girl 4:14 1973
19 Klaatu - For You Girl 2:36 1973
20 R.E.M. - Near Wild Heaven 3:19 1991
21 Queen - You're My Best Friend 2:53 1975
22 Elliott Smith - Tomorrow Tomorrow 3:07 1998
23 Shorrock, Birtles & Goble - Kings of the World 2:30 1975
24 Buffalo Springfield - Rock and Roll Woman 2:40 1967
25 Who - Behind the Blue Eyes 3:42 1971
Track list 2
26 Eagles - Seven Bridges Road (Live) 3:04 1980
27 Fleet Foxes - Fool's Errand 4:48 2017
28 America - Sandman 5:08 1971
29 Cream - I Feel Free 2:51 1966
30 Band of Horses - Marry Song 3:23 2007
31 Toto - Africa 4:59 1982
32 Lovin' Spoonful - Full Measure 2:40 1966
33 Lindisfarne - Lady Eleanor 4:12 1970
34 Poco - Here We Go Again 3:29 1973
35 Young Rascals - I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore 2:46 1965
36 Radiohead - Let Down 4:59 1997
37 Loggins & Messina - Be Free 7:00 1974
38 Sweet - Love is Like Oxygen 3:47 1978
39 Grateful Dead - Sugar Magnolia 3:17 1970
40 Everly Brothers - Bye Bye Love 2:21 1958
41 Beatles - Michelle 2:39 1965
42 Eagles - New Kid in Town 5:03 1994
43 Low - Try to Sleep 4:20 2011
44 Electric Light Orchestra - Mr. Blue Sky 3:44 1977
45 Yardbirds - For Your Love 2:30 1965
46 Association - No Fair at All 2:34 1966
47 Peter Paul & Mary - Where Have All The Flowers Gone 3:59 1962
48 Byrds - Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There is a Season) 3:36 1965
49 Doobie Brothers - Listen to the Music 3:28 1972
50 Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody 5:50 1975
Track list 3
1 Chordettes - Mr. Sandman 2:23 1954
2 Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Suite - Judy Blue Eyes 7:22 1969
3 Mama's & the Papa's - Monday Monday 3:25 1966
4 Byrds - I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better 2:34 1965
5 Blind Boys of Alabama - Wade in the Water 3:34 2002
6 Andrew Sisters With Les Paul - Rumors Are Flying 2:57 1946
7 Four Seasons - Rag Doll 3:00 1964
8 Beach Boys - Heroes and Villains 3:36 1967
9 Platters - I'm Just a Dancing Partner 2:18 1958
10 Decameron - Rock and Roll Woman 2:13 1974
11 Little Big Town - Vapor 4:13 2007
12 Puppini Sisters - Moon River 3:54 2011
13 Grupo Vocal Desandann - Guede Nibo 2:07 1999
14 Oak Ridge Boys - Lots of Matchbooks 3:05 1978
15 Maddy Prior and the Girls - I Need You to Turn 3:13 2002
16 Sweet Honey in the Rock - Dog Dog 2:10 2007
17 Gladiators - Look is Deceiving 3:48 1976
18 Home Free - Ring of Fire 2:21 2013
19 Amadou & Mariam - Je Pense a Toi 5:16 1998
20 Scala and Kolacny Bros - With Or Without You 4:37 2011
21 Lettermen - When I Fall in Love 2:28 1961
22 Jubalaires - A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes 2:34 1950
23 Shorrock, Birtles & Goble - Kings of the World 2:30 1975
24 Roy Shirley & the Uniques - Facts of Life 3:01 1968
25 Eagles - Seven Bridges Road (Live) 3:04 1980
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