Countdown: Top 5 Contemporary Contraltos

"Alto" should have read Contralto

The operatic contralto range usually spans from an F3 to a G5 but amazingly our lovely pop Divas can do better than that, with many of them demonstrating the ability to reach at least 4 notes below the lowest requirement. Apart from the ability to reach an F3, contralto voices have other characteristics usually associated with them- though they are not always present- such as a smoky timbre, a lower access point to the chest register and a heavier weight to the voice. Below is a list of my 5 favourite contralto range capable Divas.

Note: Of course in reality comparing a pop singer to an opera singer is like comparing an apple to an orange so any opera aficionados don't bite my head off please...I need it for eating.

5) Mariah Carey: A singer who is associated more with the extreme highs of her voice rather than the lows its capable of. Her version of Stevie Wonders' You and I has Mariah demonstrating her contralto chops admirably, but she gains a lower place on my chart because some of the lowest notes she hits are produced by improper technique.

4) Lalah Hathaway: Has a weighty, thick contralto voice, that though heavy, is still is able to sing beautiful and complex melisma.

3) Cher: I've said it before and I'll say it again, Cher is a vocalist that is constantly overlooked. Her voice has a clarity that the other contraltos on this list do not and her chest register starts relatively low but, despite its weight, is still capable of hitting the fifth octave.

2)Sarah Vaughn: Her contralto range was warmer and sweeter than any of the other singers on the list. Her voice also had a beautiful smoothness and richness along with an operatic quality.

1)Toni Braxton: Her voice has "contralto" written all over it, and produces the tone, timbre and colour most people would straightaway associate with the lowest female vocal range. Out of all the singers on the list Toni's is the one that sounds best, and most comfortable, in the lower ranges of the voice .

Let me know of your favourite contraltos in the comments below!

Christina Aguilera and Cher: Burlesque soundtrack review

Christina Aguilera's CD art :Burlesque

I’m a little in love with Christina Aguilera at the moment. Not only has Bionic had resurgence in my affection, but Christina's- it’s actually a soundtrack which also features Cher- new release, Burlesque is pretty darn good. If you initially fell in love with Christina because of the Back to Basics album, you’ll fall in love with her all over again when you hear this.

Christina and her Burlesque troupe.

Song run down

The Etta James song Something's Got a Hold On Mefits Christina voice perfectly as its a style of music that actually utilises and benefits from her grunts and growls, as well as its rough texture. Having all the tools already in her arsenal its not surprising she gives a convincing delivery that effortlessly channels Etta James' sass, passion and fire.

On the flip side the Mae West song Guy what takes his time, as well as But I Am a Good Girl, have Christina toning it all down. Instead, relying on her charm and a softer, sweeter voice to communicate the song. The result is two saucy and teasing tracks that scream Burlesque.



Express attempts, and succeeds, in meshing the 50’s sound with the contemporary. It brings burlesque straight to the club with a modern bump and a percussive breakdown that practically writes the accompanying, provocative, dance routine itself. I could see this being on any Christina Aguilera album.

The Beautiful People isn’t really suited to the film, if compared to the other songs, and the use of the word Burlesque in its lyrics is pretty much the only connection it has. It feels more like a High school musical type production that they’ve attempted to give an edge to by using a sample of the Marilyn Manson's song of the same name. Surprisingly the song was penned with the help of Nicole Scherzinger!

Christina and Cher on the set of
Burlesque

There is a problem with the album though. Its not limp songs, or poor production but a voice, that belongs to one MS Aguilera, that is not being reigned in enough. For example, the beginning a cappella vocal on Tough love is a self indulgent, and clichéd mess that is everything I despise about singing. The coarse texture as well as the volume of the voice is just terrible. Thankfully the songs jaunty production kicks in and by the end you've forgotten the beginning and are left thinking its actually a nice jazzy song.

Infinitivally worse than that is Christina's only ballad on the album called Bound to you. The voice is initially controlled, measured and pleasant to listen to but once the song moves into its death throws Christina lets the voice out of the cage and just shouts into the microphone. The harshness of her voice is raw, but not in an emotional or good way, inflamed and pushed. It gets so bad I had to stop myself from reaching for the stop button; instead, controlling my instincts, I managed to lower the volume to take the edge off of it. (Realising this might be a wee bit harsh of an assessment for a first listen, I gave the song a few more listens and now have a headache. Needless to say, since the review remains unchanged, neither has my opinion.)

Overall, a good album that keeps Christina Aguilera in my good books- I'm not sure why she ever left them- with strong (sometimes painfully so) vocals, brilliant production and evocative songs. Anyone not a fan of Christina should definitely think about purchasing the two Cher songs, which are both an understated, master class in the school of less is more.

NB:Cher is a lot more talented than I ever gave her credit for-Damn you Believe and your autotune!… check back soon, as I may have to make a separate review for Cher's input on the album.

Cher- Vocal Profile/ Range

Cher

Vocal Type: Contralto
Vocal Range: 3 octaves 5 notes. A2- F6
Vocal Pluses: Solid contralto voice, with a dark, smoky tone.
Vocal Negatives:The heaviness of the voice makes it difficult to be flexible in its ornamentation.