Can Chrisette Michele Sing? – Recorded Music and Live Performance
Chrisette Michele
Chrisette Michele’s live performance of “Best of Me” on various occasions is a testament to her singing ability as these renditions stand up to the quality of the studio recordings of the song. On stage she seems to have a very calm, collected aura, with a dash of hipness and most of all down home realness, not in the caricature-like sense of the term.
While viewing the song’s music video, the song seems to be “phased out” yet still present. The viewer/listener would most likely pay attention to how the supplementary items in the video help explain the song. Since the viewer usually knows the song before watching the video, the song itself takes a backseat these supplementary items, for example, to what the artist is wearing or what is going on in the background.
Chrisette Michele – Best of Me (Official Music Video)
Similarly, during a live performance, the listener will probably be focused on the artist behind the music as well as the differences between the live performance compared to the recording. Before the performance, the listener may try to discern the artists’ personality through how they move to the music, their image and the way they talk and sing. Then, if they’re not too star struck, they may try to scrutinize the artist to figure out if they don’t just have a “studio voice” and in fact can actually sing.
During this process they may look to the musical accompaniment for guidance. In the case of these performances, Chrisette Michele is backed up by music that enhances rather than overpowers her voice. One would conclude that since, here she sings in a Borders bookstore with nothing but a background CD, and her voice sounds just as it does on the record, she can indeed sing. Of course not all listeners go through all of these steps when listening to a live performance, but one can be sure that listeners do go through at least one of them subconsciously at some point.
Chrisette Michele – Best of Me (Live at Borders Bookstore in New York City)
Chrisette Michele – Best of Me (Live at London’s Jazz Café)
CHELSEA IVEY
I purchased Chrisette Michele’s debut CD, hot off the press, a couple years ago. The tune that won me over was “If I Have My Way.” Sista’ can “sang!” But I guess, these days, with all the growing technology, being able to enhance the natural voice with auto-tune and other resources, we are forced to become rather critical and skeptical about one’s true vocal ability. Back in the day (I’m not “that” old), I’m sure that it was all about live performances – no overdubs or other refinements. You either “got it” or you “ain’t got it.” There was much hype about whether or not Ashanti, another young female vocalist of this age, could really sing. She had the looks, the moves, and all, but in some circles, I heard that her live performances “suck!” That’s just what I “heard” – not necessarily my opinion. The stage is the truest test of all. The mic “don’t” lie!!! Give or take a little, we know when our favorite singer doesn’t appear to be singing to the full potential, due to hoarseness, exhaustion or any other temporary condition, but we can tell if you can’t sing at all!!! Visual images in the music video tend to distract the viewer from the singer’s voice, as the focus shifts to what’s going on in the video. Even in the studio, over-producing can kill the recording. You can have a wonderful band, with all the beats and grooves, even topped off with a lot of “bells” and “whistles,” but if you sound “whack,” it will definitely show in the live performance! You may be asked to perform without the band or soundtrack – uh-oh!!! Your time to shine, for real!!! What we, as young music enthusiasts, are looking for, are singers who can throw down, regardless. Forget all the swag, whether you can shake your booty or not – that’s played out! Rump-shakin’ comes a dime a dozen! We’re looking for a real raw singer, a soulful diva that can deliver! Not just another pretty face! Unfortunately, music of this age is so inter-twined with image and stuff! I don’t feel like the bar has been raised enough these days. Anybody could put out a CD, as long as it got catchy beats and lyrics, so to speak! We don’t always expect another Whitney Houston or Aretha Franklin, but we’re expecting a little more than the usual, “wanna-be” divas. Hooray for ol’ skool!!! Back to Chrisette Michele, if she could deliver in a Borders bookstore as described, she can truly “sing!” Say no more!!!