TRAIN: I was in the middle of a Captain Planet marathon the other day when I thought to myself, “I should combine posting powers with someone so I can finally use those rings I bought that look like a musical note when you put them together.” Seeing as though my boy Sydney C and I used to wax philosophical about every topic under the sun back in our Beantown days I knew we could come up with something together that would change the future of the world as we know it. Okay, maybe not change the world, but at least get you jamming here in the Muffin bakery…
SYDNEY C: Alright, it’s been some time and I’m rusty. The other day Train suggested we go loco and do a shared post. Needless to say I agreed (mostly due to pure laziness). The logical choice for the post was a tribute to those scratchy voiced goddesses. Don’t ask us why we dig these songs so much but ever since one drunken conversation we determined that if some lady sang to us like this we’d probably go Kenny Powers in Chapter 4 of Eastbound & Down.
TRAIN: We both know that you agreed to this so that you could get your hands on one of those kick ass rings. But anyway…
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S: My personal all-time favorite scratchy voiced lady. So cool that I don’t even roll up my windows anymore when I hit a red light and she’s blasting away.
T: Ms. Nicks can do no wrong in my book either – now if only I had a car…
Bonnie Tyler – Total Eclipse of the Heart
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S: Don’t give me shit people. I’ve been known to scream full volume the breakdown at the end.
T: Definitely my favorite scratchy song. And Sydney’s not kidding about the screaming, he’s usually at concert level volume by the end of this song.
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T: I don’t know if it was years of chain smoking, boozing or just genes that gave Kim Carnes that voice – who cares, this one is scratchy as a mutha.
S: I met this girl and Kim was dead on. I blushed, felt uneasy, and totally thought she was a spy. I left before things got weird.
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S: I have to give credit to a little lady I know for this one. A pretty kick ass scratchy voice song.
T: Joey, for chrissakes, she’s not angry anymore – can’t you hear it in her voice??
S: What the hell Joey? If you’re hurtin’ so is she!
Beth Orton – Wild World (Cat Stevens cover)
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T: This one is a lot more subtle. But just one listen and you’ll almost be annoyed that she doesn’t just clear her throat – I still dig though.
S: Train, where on earth do you find these covers?
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T: Janis = one of the original screamo queens. Frankly I’m surprised her voice wasn’t even scratchier.
S: It was hilarious when Train went through his ‘Janis Joplin’ phase during 1L. He showed up with sunglasses and a wig to each final and everyone just responded with “I don’t get it.” I’m pretty sure no one did either.
T: Man am I glad I got over that. *quickly takes off sunglasses and wig*
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T: Definitely a violation of the ‘only women allowed on this list’ rule, but this is a classic. Lennon was more hoarse than scratchy, but that’s what happens when you cut a whole album in a day.
S: Even though I said this was a “goddesses” list I had a feeling Train would add this song to the list. I based this on the fact that after 10 drinks he likes to talk about the time they played it on Ed Sullivan for like 30 minutes… or wait, maybe that’s me. Crap.
what an epic entry. great songs. i’m a big Mac fan myself.
Something about this post made the hair stand up on the back on my neck.
Which basically means, two author post – genius.
Great post and songs. Was certainly surprised to not see Marianne Faithful here. That voice is broken glass
Where is Raj when you need him for the drunken music/red sox convos???
Good call on Marianne F – though I would say her voice sounds more haggard than anything, with a dash of scratchiness thrown in for good measure. Here’s a link if anyone wants to take a listen.
And Sydney, the R from comment #1 = Raj. He’s a regular ’round these parts.
Good work Fellas – I’m proud of your joint genius. I have first hand accounts of Sydney C rockin to Fleetwood Mac with the windows down. Classic.