VOX MEMORIAE 002:      Janis Joplin (singer)

She did everything to her voice that you’re not supposed to do. But Janis Joplin’s banshee wail is not only iconic of 60’s rock, but of the 1960s as an era. To me, it’s one of the best examples of a generation’s need to break from their country’s suffocating status quo and express themselves with primal passion.

Her signature rasp and bluesy scream, especially in songs like “Piece of My Heart” & “Down on Me” usually draw the focus of critics and fans alike. And, as so often happens with Janis—and other artists with similar vocal character—the scream becomes anathema to the tonal perfection that many vocalists—and voice teachers—strive for and zealously protect as the “right way to sing.”

Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate a lovely, beautiful vocal sound. But my soul is more often stirred by rawness, by what Joe Jackson called “whiskey soaked singing.” There’s always been something about “perfect” vocal technique that, to me, seems a bit like a façade. Hiding one’s soul behind precise tonality and a mechanical vibrato (dare I say, The Broadway Style).

Granted, if you use Janis as a model for vocal performance, you are going to damage your precious cords. But if you listen to Janis, and watch her perform, she seems to have no interest in technique, or how the lack of it might injure her voice. The soul is funny like that. Watch Janis’ Monterey Pop Festival performance of “Ball & Chain”. It is so unbridled, that a few times you hear her voice crack. Was this the self-abuse that voice teachers abhor? Or, was it the soul’s expression manifesting itself through a happy accident? Whatever it was—if Mama Cass’ reaction is any indicator—it was hypnotic, compelling, and galvanizing.

We can only wonder how Janis would have developed as a vocalist had she not been taken from us so soon. Would she have embraced the 70s Arena Rock style or the cocaine-fueled overproduction of the 80s? She certainly would’ve been pressured toward both by the music industry. But something about the spirit of Janis’ voice tells me that she would not have been hemmed in by the same hit-obsessed record companies that brutally stifled the voices of iconic singers like Ann Wilson and Grace Slick.

I think she would have taken a drag on her cigarette, presented her middle finger, then wailed, shook, and shredded some pure blues—the way she does in my favorite of her songs—with unbridled expression, undistilled passion, and uncompromised artistry. 

VOX MEMORIAE 001: BOB ROSS (painter, educator)

Comedian Patton Oswalt, one of my heroes, once described Bob Ross as a “human quaalude.” His voice is famous for being soothing to the point of putting one to sleep. I sometimes think that I have never seen most of the creation of a Bob Ross painting, because I would so often be lulled into unconsciousness by his reedy, quiet voice.

Here’s the thing: Artists dread tension. It’s a performance killer. And what Bob Ross does, just by using his natural voice, is create calm, which I think is why so many people—not just artists—are drawn to his TV show.

Out of that unique calm, comes joy, which is the point of being an artist, right?

I remember when I was a kid, sitting on the couch, watching Bob paint. There would just be a few colors on his canvas, a sky, a swatch of grass, the beginnings of a mountain. Then, I would wake up, and the painting would be finished. And I didn’t feel disappointed that I’d missed most of it’s creation.

It’s almost as if Bob’s voice gave you permission to sleep through his process. I get the feeling he would not have minded. His gift would still be waiting for you when you woke up.

Check out this video: Bob Ross - Secluded Bridge (Season 10 Episode 4) - Bing video

It’s from the from Bob’s seminal program, The Joy of Painting. Notice how Bob’s voice changes as he works. It seems like he’s using his natural tone, coloring, and cadence as a guide for his tools, to help bring the painting into existence.

Also, notice the delightful joy and amusement he gets from working. Have a mind to how your posture and mood changes as you listen. And don’t worry if you fall asleep.