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Post by Rick Henry on Jan 28, 2007 16:24:42 GMT -5
 This round finds two songs which are stylistically different - but are from around the same time period.
Which one should go to the semi-finals?
"Midnight Blue" by Melissa Manchester - This song reached #6 in June 1975 and was Manchester's first hit after recorded her debut album in 1973. "midnight Blue" was co-written by Manchester with Carole Bayer Sager. Bayer Sager wrote several songs with Manchester.
"Lovin' You" by Minnie Riperton - Reached #1 on April 5, 1975 and was certified Gold for selling over a million copies. Riperton wrote this with her husband, Richard Rudolph. Maya Rudolph of Saturday Night Live is their daughter. although this song is not about her daughter, Riperton does mention her in the lyrics. In the end, she sings "Ma-ah-aha-aha-ah-ya."
Riperton worked with Stevie Wonder as a backup singer in turn he produced this track for her. Due to contractual obligations, Wonder's name could not appear on the credits, so he's listed as "Black Bull Productions".
Riperton died of cancer in 1979 at age 31. While this was her only hit, she was held in high regard in the music community. |
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Post by GoodOldDreams on Jan 28, 2007 17:08:41 GMT -5
No doubt Minnie Riperton has an awesome vocal range as exemplified by her soaring notes in "Lovin' You." (BTW, love the creative use of her Afro hairdo as a frog for floral sprays of baby's breath.) However, her childlike affectation seems at times over the top and almost comical.
Melissa Manchester's "Midnight Blue" gets my vote. With her operatic training, Manchester really knows how to infuse drama and grandeur into the melancholic lyrics and melodies of her songs, with other notables such as "Don't Cry Out Loud" and "Come in from the Rain."
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Post by wisejester7 on Jan 28, 2007 17:29:11 GMT -5
Although I like both songs 'Midnight Blue' gets my vote. It's lower register sits better with me most days. It wouldn't be a far bet that Karen could have sung the bejeezes out of this song!
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Post by Rick Henry on Jan 29, 2007 10:24:11 GMT -5
Overall, I like Minnie Riperton's body of work far more than Melissa Manchester's. Songs like "Perfect Angel", "Only When I'm Dreaming", "Memory Lane", "Inside My Love", "Could It Be I'm In Love" and "Lovin' You" display Minnie's versatility and strength as a vocalist.
Though, in this game it's the individual song we're voting on - not the artist. Between these two songs I really do like "Midnight Blue" quite a bit more - therefore my vote goes to "Midnight Blue". |
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Post by smoothie2 on Jan 30, 2007 0:55:06 GMT -5
Not too fond of Riperton...even tho clearly she has a great vocal range and boldness. Didn't she sing "Midnight at the Oasis"? I love that one. Anyway, Manchester has my vote, great song strong vocals. I like reading the history of these Rick, thanks.
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Post by GoodOldDreams on Jan 30, 2007 3:14:23 GMT -5
Not too fond of Riperton...even tho clearly she has a great vocal range and boldness. Didn't she sing "Midnight at the Oasis"?... "Midnight at the Oasis" was sung by Maria Muldaur. |
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Jan 30, 2007 14:16:45 GMT -5
 I, too, prefer Melissa Manchester's overall voice to Minnie Ripperton's, and in this particular category, the song Midnight Blue over Loving You. I'm with you, wj7 in that, most days, that lower register gets me a lot more excited than a falsetto or a high register does. Duh! Perhaps THAT'S why The Bee Gee's were never HIGH, HIGH, HIGH on my list of fave groups! (that thought just occurred to me.  So, my vote goes to Midnight Blue. Tim 
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Post by smoothie2 on Jan 31, 2007 0:49:35 GMT -5
Not too fond of Riperton...even tho clearly she has a great vocal range and boldness. Didn't she sing "Midnight at the Oasis"?... "Midnight at the Oasis" was sung by Maria Muldaur. ???thanks Dreams...Maria and Minnie seem to sound alike at least as far as the songs I mentioned. |
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Post by beaner on Jan 31, 2007 15:37:39 GMT -5
Midnight Blue all the way. I don't care for the other song at all. I would turn it off when I would hear it. Sorry for those that might like the song but it would have to be one of my least favorite ones...right up there with "Brand New Key" by Melanie.  |
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Post by Rick Henry on Jan 31, 2007 16:15:17 GMT -5
On the topic of Minnie Riperton...
Riperton is one person I had quite a bit of respect for. Not only was she quite an excellent vocalist with a broad singing range - she was also a wonderful speaker. I remember she appeared on several shows in the late seventies to talk about her battle with breast cancer. She was truly eloquent in speech and also seemed like a very sincere and down to earth person. In one program she went so far as to unbutton her blouse and show the audience her chest where she had a double mastectomy. This was shocking - but at the same time showed people that it wasn't unattractive. I was so saddened when she passed on. She was a lovely and brave woman. |
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Post by beaner on Feb 1, 2007 11:18:18 GMT -5
Apparently, I had the wrong tune in my head. I went and listened to Lovin' You on a wav file and it is definitely not what I was thinking of. I, in fact, like Lovin' You when it came on the radio. If I'm correct, at the end of this song, she hits this unusual and amazing pitch/key which is so cool using her unique voice to do it. I always liked that part too. I'm still trying to rack my brain trying to think of the singer and/or song that I originally was thinking of but still can't.
As far as her speaking on her breast cancer, I certainly have great respect for her there. That comes from my own scare about 4 years ago as well as having lost my loving aunt last year to it and seeing my dear cousin battle it not once, but twice and beating it both times.
I never knew this about Minnie but agree with you, Rick, on the respect for her and courage as well.
Beaner
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Post by Rick Henry on Feb 2, 2007 11:36:57 GMT -5
This round goes to Melissa Manchester's "Midnight Blue". The song will be joining Billy Preston's "Nothing From Nothing" and Michael Martin Murphey's "Wildfire" in the semi-finals.
Thank you all for participating in this round.
This round is officially closed. |
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