GV is not a normal singer. She is highly experimental and uses many techniques naturally that others cannot. Her use of suggested notes and phrasing is almost completely unique. Here’s a list of some techniques she uses. 1. Pitch Bending: Gliding between notes for emotional tension or release. 2. Microtonal Variations: Singing notes between standard pitches, like “blue notes.” 3. Sliding (Portamento): Smooth transitions between notes. 4. Melisma: Singing multiple pitches on one syllable. 5. Dynamic Control: Varying volume for emotional impact. 6. Vibrato: Oscillating pitch to add warmth and intensity. 7. Delayed Resolution: Holding back on resolving notes to create tension. 8. Tone Shaping: Adjusting vocal tone (airy, raspy, bright, etc.). 9. Improvisation and Ornamentation: Adding personal flourishes and rhythmic variations.
GV’s range and tone is very different from typical “big voice” singers. This is part of her art. When Yo-yo Ma first started soloing, it took time for people to accept the cello as a solo instrument. I’m glad she’s experimenting and was brave enough to salut someone she admires.
I'm glad you have the vocabulary to articulate the little things I think make Grace so special but where I lack the awareness to discreetly discern. Very nice! thank you!
Yes, its true grace uses these techniques to sing. But she does so naturally. Grace sings from her heart, what she feels from the inside from her toes to her nose. She puts what she feels into song like no one else can do. And she does it with everything she sings about. She not trying to hit the perfect high or low notes. She is just singing what she feels. Thats why I love to watch and listen to Grace
Grace was nervous. You could see it in her dress vibrating, a little bump in a word. But she stood her ground and put her heart into it. This was so important to her. Also her mother, Tina, is going thru cancer treatments.
The Impossible Dream has been around for a very long time with many singers changing elements to suite their singing styles. I was simply blown away by Grace, as I've only hear 2 other women sing this. Her efforts and passion came through, not for her, but for Coppala. It doesn't compare to the first time I heard this as a child by Jim Nabors (as Gomer Pyle). That is my Mother's, and by extension, my favorite version. I've heard it hundreds of times. I've followed Grace since AGT (She won on my birthday!) and have followed you, Dax, almost as long. So hold on - we have a lifetime of new Grace music and the lion's share of that will be loved by all! And, like Taylor Swift has a few songs out there that I'm not partial to, Grace will have some songs that won't resonate with everyone. And, because of this song and the recent movie, the world is now really seeing and hearing Grace! -- Gary H. --
@@garyhomberg1774 Nicely said, Gary. Thank you. Music is a strange and wonderful bird. I hope I get to enjoy Grace‘s future music as much or more as I’ve enjoyed dozens of her previous masterpieces. Thanks again.
All of the lukewarm water being thrown on her here is why art and music are so subjective. There is no point in getting angry at people who disagree. I think this was an epic performance and the comments on the original video lean hard that way. I just think people who don't respond that way to this are missing something, just as there is plenty of music that does little for me, but others hold close to their hearts.
She only gets better - she is phenomenal. II's the kind of song she is trying to interpret. Her voice has gotten better as she is gotten olde; more maturer. She did great interpreting another style of music for Mr. Coppola. If he liked it, that is all she needed to do. I've listened to it many times already and I think she did WONDERFUL with a style of song that she doesn't ordinarily do.
Dax, Grace is in her artsy mode at this moment. She is singing for the best of the best. She is singing eloquently for this crowd. And she pulled it off very nicely. I don't believe she would ever sing this or like this for her real fans at a concert. I myself am not into this style of singing. But I did enjoy watching her sing this. I do prefer her bluesy /jazzy style. But there is not one song that I did not love from her in the last almost nine years. She still has to find Grace but watching her travel this road has been amazing to watch. I will forever watch her path forward it's fun to watch her switch up her styles. There is no one that can do what this young lady can do when it comes to singing. So don't worry none,she will change it all up in a week or so. I love your work Dax so smile Damit
@@russellbuck4175 Thanks for your thoughtful reply, Russell. You’re a hell of a guy. You probably already know that I will always follow everything that Grace does, just like you, and yes, I will keep smiling also. 😉
@@brucebenson5908 Grace talks about how she constantly changes with all that flows through her. She is still integrating and exploring ways to express the abuse and trauma she experienced from so many unkind "fans" as she has grown from a child into a woman. she directly addresses this in her latest Grammy Museum interview. there is a link or two to it somewhere in this thread. Sorry I don't have the time to grab it right now.
I've listened to your Grace reactions from your beginning. In my years of listening, this is my first comment. I was wondering if you would get to this one as you've been off-line for her newest music (Homesick and Brand New with profound interview and commentary by Grace at the Grammy Museum). Honestly, I felt take aback by how flat was your response to Grace's performance. I literally could not catch my breath as I listened first time through. She stretched, for sure. But her vulnerability merged with her obvious passion and appreciation for FFC as an artist and risk taker himself, for whom Grace has numerous times expressed her admiration, vibrates from every pore of her being. Her love for her gift to FFC was apparently winning over her risk of stretching. Of particular note was though she stretched, she remained pitch perfect. I thought what was most exquisite was both times she left the gravitational field of her effort and soared clear singing "star" the first time and "unreachable star" at the finale. Some said she clipped those notes, but I felt it was a deliberate economy to preserve the intimacy of her offering than to make it about herself (bombastically and egotistically holding the note to prove something). It chokes me up virtually every time I hear it, which is more than a grown man (older than you) might admit he's listened. I'll add here that I also felt much of her emotion in this song was venting from her own intense and courageous fight to protect and reach the star that she so brilliantly reflects. Grace is in a new and, I would say, profound phase in her career with the blessing of her new label affording her the creative respect and support to produce her art and deliver her message as she believes it ought to and can be. I invite you to listen to each and every Grammy Museum track including her opening interview and separately recorded intros to her newest songs, expecially Brand New, which Grace declares is the most important song she has written to date. ua-cam.com/video/GIYYmN5VNDM/v-deo.htmlsi=YEeBft6T5t2PIZEI The music follows and supports the poetry and message of the songs making them more abstract (in her words) and available because of her newfound freedom with Pulse Records. There's a lot of paraphrasing here so if anyone has read this far, feel free to correct me. Grace continues to hold my ear and attention with her devotion to her very possible dream.
@@jitendradarling6571 thank you for your passionate and thoughtful response. It makes me very happy that you love this performance so much, obviously connecting to something I wasn’t able to connect to. Thank you for this. I hope to enjoy Grace‘s new stuff coming out. Thanks again.
All I can say is WOW!! This is a very different more mature Grace than I have ever seen. I loved how she presented the song. I only wish that she could have sung the entire song. I loved it. I am 75 years old and it made me tear up. By the way, the way Grace was dressed and the hair style reminded me of a great lounge singer from the 30's or 40's. She just looked eloquent.
Perhaps you don't like this style of music because it is like that of Angelina Jordan. Grace normally doesn't sing this style of music. The video has some of the highest views on youtube of all the music performances, so the public likes it a lot. Sure she wasn't perfect a little nervous perhaps, but IMO she did good with this Broadway theater song which is not normally in her wheelhouse. Think this was a on the fly performance with little time for practice, think she did well on this performance. Also because this was a TV broadcast Grace was told to stay still by microphone, so she didn't move around the way she dose in a regular live performance where she moves to the music. Give Grace the benefit of the doubt with her new album coming up, suspect it might surprise you, don't give up on Grace yet!
Hi perhaps no explanation is necessary. when a singer changes his style and genre so drastically and the characteristic basic elements of a long-admired way of expressing himself can trigger a strange feeling. Regardless of the songs you have heard and loved before, THIS HERE is interpreted in the intended style but is perfectly emotional and I see and hear nothing forced. I love her voice even in this rather common musical style.
She reached me. Not feeling the music? I never heard or saw her feel it more. Consider please that it is a cover, to honor Francis, at the Kennedy Center. I respectfully suggest that you think about her assignment when she was asked to sing, and then listen to it again. "Grace, we don't need you to reinvent this evergreen. We need you to honor Francis." She honored him not perfectly, because one of her strengths is her imperfection, but exquisitely.
exactly.. you said what I was struggling to put into words. She was very theatrical which was called for and FFC commented on her IG about how much he loved it and that's what matters.. some people said that he had tears in his eyes after the performance. She was extremely nervous in front of a crowd of greats honouring someone who she admires and you can see her legs shake at times.. but in true fashion she rose to the occasion and I think, nailed it.. I get goosebumps every time I hear it. You probably won't like her new music if you want her to be expressing herself like she did when she was younger and the fact that she had to give up all of the music that you admired so much from her (which she herself said that she outgrew) is allowing her to express her TRUE feelings which she stated that she doesn't care if it makes her famous or not will leave some people disappointed. But as much as we may not want to think it.. she's writing her new music for herself.. not for us. I find her new stuff very experimental and you need to listen a few times to really appreciate it.. All I want from her is that she does what makes her happy, not what her old label wanted from her.. I'm so happy that her new label appears to give her free rein. Have you heard her unplugged version of What's Left of Me?.. if not, you should.
Hey Dax! Good to see you pop up again. Hope you're good. I could tell from your lack or response that you weren't impressed lol. I think it's very clear to long time fans at this point that her voice is not the healthiest. But she has never been able to hold a high note with this much strength before. Since this is not the ideal song for husky voices, I think it shows she's been practicing and improving. Power and emotion don't exactly mix well in a voice but I think she did very well. The power actually surprised me a LOT. The most important thing is this. I have listened to the other top covers of this song. Every single artist, including Hudson, sounds like they are too busy being a singer, showing off their skills and not really thinking about the lyrics, the meaning, the purpose of the song. As always Grace does that better than anybody else when she covers a song. Never showing off, giving the song just what it needs. Have you yet heard a cover of her songs done by others that felt better than her own version? Nope. She's still got that going. Still the best at interpreting a song and giving it exactly what it needs.
@@SamBorgman hey Sam. Great to see you again! I agree that Grace stayed respectfully contained instead of showing off, which she never does, to her great credit. And yes, she did hit that one note quite nicely. I really did want to enjoy this, but I am simply spoiled, absolutely spoiled, by her older work. I don’t think she has quite found her developing soul yet, but I sure hope she does soon. Thanks again, my friend.
@@daxmusix I know what you mean with her older unreleased songs. Her voice has changed. Her speaking voice is very gravelly now, it's damaged. I was surprised she sounded so smooth here.
@@SamBorgman same… I listen to others and while they're technically impressive, I'm done after one listen. Ditto to much else of what you said. A remark below about her voice being damaged… I pray it's temporary if it's true. I have seen her pictured with a lit cigarette here and there. I've hoped against hope it was just a prop and not a damaging habit.
@@jitendradarling6571 Lot of fans never really accepted this but her voice has already been damaged. The cigs are not props either sadly. She's made her voice work very well by avoiding high notes when possible. Now it seems her sound is stronger than ever. So that's promising.
@@SamBorgman I've been saying for some time that she needs a vocal and personal coach. After the early years working with one on AGT it appears she is going it alone. Even in interviews she comes across as unsure of herself and the self-deprecating lack of confidence carries through to her performances.
She wasn't comfortable, shaky vibrato at the beginning, messed up the text a little, it wasn't her song, but at least she did it live without autotune/pitch correction, she showed balls to do that at this level, I'm sure Francis enjoyed every second of it.
To be honest, I didn't want a perfect rendition of this song, we got a Grace song, a one off, sure she could practice this every week for a few years, and she would nail it, but she did it as we got it, and it was magic.
She most likely had one (1) rehearsal with the orchestra the day before or the morning of the show. Given the immediacy of the performance, she went well beyond what anyone should expect, and sung with the greatest humility and respect for the venue, the event, and the audience. Like it or not, it's quite a nice entry into the resume. And I get it; there are those who think she should have belted it out in Simlish, but she's a classy girl who knows, better than anyone else, what she is doing.
I've watched Grace as much as any mega-fan, this performance (and I've analysed it many times, is up there with the highlight of her career so far, absolutely! - If you don't think so, your opinion. But otherwise, get out of my lobby dude, you're off the rails... This is absolutely phenomenal.
Grace est toujours dans l'expérimentation. Je ne sais pas si elle a un coach vocal, ou pas, elle est tellement passionnée et a une volonté de bien faire. Si elle avait été hautaine, elle ne se serait jamais laissé aller au bout de sa respiration (un point malgré tout pour elle). Grace aime tout dans la musique et je m'attends à des styles que je n'aime pas trop, mais je m'adapte (je me surprends à aimer ce que j'évitais avant). Il faut y passer Dax. C'est elle qui crée son futur.
Bonne et heureuse année 2025. Sa voix a changé et elle doit s'adapter et elle fait de son mieux. Aretha Franklin a aussi vu sa voix changer au cours du temps. Mais on pouvait s'attendre que ce soit pour Grace, plus délicat, en espérant que cela ne s'aggrave pas. Voir sa voix actuelle dans "Grace VanderWaal parle de son béguin pour une célébrité"
No idea why but I liked Peter O'Toole's version over Richard Kiley's and Peter isn't known as a singer. Thanks for pointing that out, "forced." That's the word I was trying to think of when I listened to lower raspy voices, sometimes higher ones. Almost Asthmatic voices. When listening to Kim Carnes, Bonnie Tyler and Sass Jordan it almost appears like they have to push harder than other vocalists to get the sound to come out. I suppose there were lots of Grace fans that came to the conclusion somewhere between Austin, Clearly and Hideaway that this isn't the voice I fell in love with at AGT and quietly faded away while others didn't take it well and were a little nasty as they faded.
I understand what you are saying and up to a point, I agree with you. But I believe that the song and the moment required that Grace use that part of her range. And for me it was beautiful even if it was not traditional Grace. Grace has always been a bit of a chameleon with her voice giving us something different depending on genre, setting or mood. But yes, as beautiful as I find her voice here it took repeated views for it to burrow its' way into my heart the way so many of her performances do.
You know, you say traditional Grace, Erich, I'm not sure if I agree that this wasn't traditional Grace. The Grace I love... this is very traditional, always trying new things, exploring new genres, always pushing the boundaries of "flavor." This to "ME" is very traditional Grace. I liked it right off the bat, but, traditional Grace is a very broad range of genres and styles. She also seems to have a flare for these kinds of tunes, maybe not this exactly, but it doesn't surprise me she would do this, I am about done being surprised by song choices this girl makes, make 'em! As I always throw out there "All About That Bass." let her make trash songs beautiful and amazing. So far, she hasn't gone wrong, in my book, mind you... my book. For me, very traditional Grace. She's not afraid to step out of her comfort zone to try something different. That is one of the thigs I admire most about her, not just admire, but envy. In my years playing on bands, I dreamt of having a band that just wrote what they feel, to hell with genre... No one person likes only ONE genre, I don't care what they say, they might be closeted on other genres, but I promise you, they like more than one. I never got that band, but... different times. Grace transcends genre and says f**k it, I'm gonna sing what I want to sing, to hell if you don't like it, I like it. (not that she would say that exactly, just the fact she sings what she want to sing) I might just be to obsessed with her voice and music though, so I might be bias... I'm not sure if I made a compelling argument or not, but, again, I might be bias...
@@j_man_2024 By traditional Grace, I meant that this was new to me. I believe that I have heard every song that Grace has ever posted, and I believe this is the first time that I have heard her sing this genre. She proved that she can with this performance. But it took me a while to get used to it. This isn't the first time that I needed multiple listens to one of her performances to really feel what she was doing.
@@erich7558 I hear you there, I hope you remember about my "Stray" story, how it taught me to shut my mouth and open my ears, I did not like that song at first, and it was the first one I didn't like, but then I gave it another listen, and fell in love with it, "Faults," "Boyfriends," and a few others were the same way. But, by then, I already knew how to go about it. I get nervous with every release, statistically speaking, she should have written a bad song by now... and I am scared it's coming... But, I don't dwell on it, nor let it color my opinions of new material/
Have you watched the unplugged of the newer songs, sorry my friend, just getting caught back up, I fell off the map for a bit, I told you the earth was flat... Just kidding it's a cube... But anyways, "Call It What You Want" was a good, but then came the unplugged and made me fall in love!
@@j_man_2024 so glad you’re still hanging around and in the game,J man. Good to hear from you! I haven’t checked out her two newest songs, which everybody on here is telling me I have to check out. So I’ll be doing that soon. Thanks man.
@@daxmusix You reacted to Both of her *NEW* songs, just not the unplugged versions... *"What's Left Of Me"* Unplugged ua-cam.com/video/vn-7riZCgYA/v-deo.html&pp=ygUiZ3JhY2UgdmFuZGVyd2FhbCB3aGF0J3MgbGVmdCBvZiBtZQ%3D%3D *"Call It What You Want"* Unplugged ua-cam.com/video/DVqtU6zVlXg/v-deo.html&pp=ygUmZ3JhY2UgdmFuZGVyd2FhbCBjYWxsIGl0IHdoYXQgeW91IHdhbnQ%3D Like I said, listening to the unplugged version made me fall in *love* with *"Call It What You Want"* I am not promising, it will do the same for you, but man, it's way different, as unpluggedseseses, -(I don't know)- usually are! I hope it gives you more love for the song hearing it stripped down, hell my friend, it make not like it even more.
@@j_man_2024 I have actually seen both of the unplugged versions, and I like them quite a bit more than the productions. But still, I’m having problems with Grace‘s voice, not projecting her emotions, seeming almost contrived, though she still sounds much better than anything out there in the marketplace. The thing that made Grace great was that there was a live wire between her emotions and expression. As I would say, the best ever. But that’s not there right now. There’s a disconnect to some degree. She’s a brave soul, so I hope she gets it back.
@@daxmusix I hear ya, I don't envy your position on the matter... but, I hear ya. I am nervous about that first song that will come out one day that I am just simply not going to like at all. There *WAS* a mark change in her voice, but me personally, I'm with it. I hope soon... for you and your love of her, she get's back to a point where you can fall in love all over again. For me, her voice can't go wrong, even if it _regresses_ per se to like letters or something... I'd be totally chill! Maybe it's just a dry spell. Soon we will know more, did I just type *soon?* Damn it that girl... She is still my queen, but she will *NEVER* please everyone, not even all of her diehard fans every time... Then again, that's *ART* for you!
I appreciate your honest reaction - it's totally valid that this performance didn't connect with you. Having followed Grace's journey, what you're hearing as artificial is actually part of her natural evolution as an artist. Her voice has deepened and matured as she's grown (vocal cords naturally loosen with age and training), and she's developed this incredible ability to channel raw, powerful emotions. It's a deeply introspective style that might not resonate with everyone, but it's very much authentic to who she is now as an artist. The tumultuous yet healing quality in her voice is something many of us deeply connect with.
@@ibeetellingya5683 Your explanation sounds quite plausible. Thank you. But of course, it all comes down to what the sound is, and I’m not hearing the authenticity. I’m hearing a great attempt at authenticity, but falling short. Thanks again.
@daxmusix I assure you the woman's pain is real, and she's expressing it clearly. That said, some are saying she was naturally trembling in fear in front of legends. Have you kept up with her original videos, songs and personal challenges?
I totally Empathise with your comments and feel this too. something about her has changed not sure what? so I won’t judge. possibly now she is an adult this process up to this point has had an impact and obviously her journey will lead her down different pathways and challenges that will take many forms. she’s on life journey and she will experience lots of emotional ups and downs as she meander’s along life river of emotions I can only wish her well.
Grace didn’t manage to turn this song into HER song. It was an interesting attempt to sing like every other singer. It wasn‘t bad and the emotion was there!
Dax I left a impolite response to you. I am sorry. I believe you are sincere to your opinion. However, you have been highly critical of Grace in her era of trying to find herself as an adult. You cannot dismiss this performance. in a week she had half a million views of this performance on Kennedy Honors. She reached as a gift to Francis. People felt the emotion. That was the beauty of this performance. I gain I apologize for being too thin skinned. No matter, if a stretch of her abilities, it was beautiful, sincere and impactful in a good way to her career.
@@jeffreylang2633 Thanks for getting back to me on this, Jeff. I thought it was quite brave and extraordinary for Grace to step out of her zone a bit to do this for Francis, but of course my review is simply on what I think about the music itself. I truly did want to love it. Thanks again.
I was quite taken aback by your reaction. I thought you of all people would appreciate this stunning performance.
GV is not a normal singer. She is highly experimental and uses many techniques naturally that others cannot. Her use of suggested notes and phrasing is almost completely unique. Here’s a list of some techniques she uses.
1. Pitch Bending: Gliding between notes for emotional tension or release.
2. Microtonal Variations: Singing notes between standard pitches, like “blue notes.”
3. Sliding (Portamento): Smooth transitions between notes.
4. Melisma: Singing multiple pitches on one syllable.
5. Dynamic Control: Varying volume for emotional impact.
6. Vibrato: Oscillating pitch to add warmth and intensity.
7. Delayed Resolution: Holding back on resolving notes to create tension.
8. Tone Shaping: Adjusting vocal tone (airy, raspy, bright, etc.).
9. Improvisation and Ornamentation: Adding personal flourishes and rhythmic variations.
When people listen to GV, they may have various reactions to her unique technique and emotional delivery. That’s OK. Artists push boundaries.
GV’s range and tone is very different from typical “big voice” singers. This is part of her art. When Yo-yo Ma first started soloing, it took time for people to accept the cello as a solo instrument. I’m glad she’s experimenting and was brave enough to salut someone she admires.
I'm glad you have the vocabulary to articulate the little things I think make Grace so special but where I lack the awareness to discreetly discern. Very nice! thank you!
Yes, its true grace uses these techniques to sing. But she does so naturally. Grace sings from her heart, what she feels from the inside from her toes to her nose. She puts what she feels into song like no one else can do. And she does it with everything she sings about. She not trying to hit the perfect high or low notes. She is just singing what she feels. Thats why I love to watch and listen to Grace
@russellbuck4175 amazing right!
Grace was nervous. You could see it in her dress vibrating, a little bump in a word. But she stood her ground and put her heart into it. This was so important to her.
Also her mother, Tina, is going thru cancer treatments.
The Impossible Dream has been around for a very long time with many singers changing elements to suite their singing styles.
I was simply blown away by Grace, as I've only hear 2 other women sing this.
Her efforts and passion came through, not for her, but for Coppala.
It doesn't compare to the first time I heard this as a child by Jim Nabors (as Gomer Pyle). That is my Mother's, and by extension, my favorite version. I've heard it hundreds of times.
I've followed Grace since AGT (She won on my birthday!) and have followed you, Dax, almost as long.
So hold on - we have a lifetime of new Grace music and the lion's share of that will be loved by all! And, like Taylor Swift has a few songs out there that I'm not partial to, Grace will have some songs that won't resonate with everyone.
And, because of this song and the recent movie, the world is now really seeing and hearing Grace!
-- Gary H. --
@@garyhomberg1774 Nicely said, Gary. Thank you. Music is a strange and wonderful bird. I hope I get to enjoy Grace‘s future music as much or more as I’ve enjoyed dozens of her previous masterpieces. Thanks again.
@@daxmusix You're most welcome!
All of the lukewarm water being thrown on her here is why art and music are so subjective. There is no point in getting angry at people who disagree. I think this was an epic performance and the comments on the original video lean hard that way. I just think people who don't respond that way to this are missing something, just as there is plenty of music that does little for me, but others hold close to their hearts.
She only gets better - she is phenomenal. II's the kind of song she is trying to interpret. Her voice has gotten better as she is gotten olde; more maturer. She did great interpreting another style of music for Mr. Coppola. If he liked it, that is all she needed to do. I've listened to it many times already and I think she did WONDERFUL with a style of song that she doesn't ordinarily do.
Dax, Grace is in her artsy mode at this moment. She is singing for the best of the best. She is singing eloquently for this crowd. And she pulled it off very nicely. I don't believe she would ever sing this or like this for her real fans at a concert. I myself am not into this style of singing. But I did enjoy watching her sing this. I do prefer her bluesy /jazzy style. But there is not one song that I did not love from her in the last almost nine years. She still has to find Grace but watching her travel this road has been amazing to watch. I will forever watch her path forward it's fun to watch her switch up her styles. There is no one that can do what this young lady can do when it comes to singing. So don't worry none,she will change it all up in a week or so. I love your work Dax so smile Damit
@@russellbuck4175 Thanks for your thoughtful reply, Russell. You’re a hell of a guy. You probably already know that I will always follow everything that Grace does, just like you, and yes, I will keep smiling also. 😉
"She still has to find Grace." Yes. Maybe that's one facet of her that we love. She is an evolving artist, and so gifted.
@@brucebenson5908 Grace talks about how she constantly changes with all that flows through her. She is still integrating and exploring ways to express the abuse and trauma she experienced from so many unkind "fans" as she has grown from a child into a woman. she directly addresses this in her latest Grammy Museum interview. there is a link or two to it somewhere in this thread. Sorry I don't have the time to grab it right now.
I've listened to your Grace reactions from your beginning. In my years of listening, this is my first comment. I was wondering if you would get to this one as you've been off-line for her newest music (Homesick and Brand New with profound interview and commentary by Grace at the Grammy Museum). Honestly, I felt take aback by how flat was your response to Grace's performance. I literally could not catch my breath as I listened first time through. She stretched, for sure. But her vulnerability merged with her obvious passion and appreciation for FFC as an artist and risk taker himself, for whom Grace has numerous times expressed her admiration, vibrates from every pore of her being. Her love for her gift to FFC was apparently winning over her risk of stretching. Of particular note was though she stretched, she remained pitch perfect. I thought what was most exquisite was both times she left the gravitational field of her effort and soared clear singing "star" the first time and "unreachable star" at the finale. Some said she clipped those notes, but I felt it was a deliberate economy to preserve the intimacy of her offering than to make it about herself (bombastically and egotistically holding the note to prove something). It chokes me up virtually every time I hear it, which is more than a grown man (older than you) might admit he's listened.
I'll add here that I also felt much of her emotion in this song was venting from her own intense and courageous fight to protect and reach the star that she so brilliantly reflects.
Grace is in a new and, I would say, profound phase in her career with the blessing of her new label affording her the creative respect and support to produce her art and deliver her message as she believes it ought to and can be. I invite you to listen to each and every Grammy Museum track including her opening interview and separately recorded intros to her newest songs, expecially Brand New, which Grace declares is the most important song she has written to date. ua-cam.com/video/GIYYmN5VNDM/v-deo.htmlsi=YEeBft6T5t2PIZEI
The music follows and supports the poetry and message of the songs making them more abstract (in her words) and available because of her newfound freedom with Pulse Records. There's a lot of paraphrasing here so if anyone has read this far, feel free to correct me. Grace continues to hold my ear and attention with her devotion to her very possible dream.
@@jitendradarling6571 thank you for your passionate and thoughtful response. It makes me very happy that you love this performance so much, obviously connecting to something I wasn’t able to connect to. Thank you for this. I hope to enjoy Grace‘s new stuff coming out. Thanks again.
Do not agree with you. Her voice has emotion and character
thx for letting me know
All I can say is WOW!! This is a very different more mature Grace than I have ever seen. I loved how she presented the song. I only wish that she could have sung the entire song. I loved it. I am 75 years old and it made me tear up. By the way, the way Grace was dressed and the hair style reminded me of a great lounge singer from the 30's or 40's. She just looked eloquent.
Perhaps you don't like this style of music because it is like that of Angelina Jordan. Grace normally doesn't sing this style of music. The video has some of the highest views on youtube of all the music performances, so the public likes it a lot. Sure she wasn't perfect a little nervous perhaps, but IMO she did good with this Broadway theater song which is not normally in her wheelhouse. Think this was a on the fly performance with little time for practice, think she did well on this performance. Also because this was a TV broadcast Grace was told to stay still by microphone, so she didn't move around the way she dose in a regular live performance where she moves to the music. Give Grace the benefit of the doubt with her new album coming up, suspect it might surprise you, don't give up on Grace yet!
@@xyzxyz7042 thanks 😉
I feel sorry you. This was personal for Francis. I teared up. So special. Epic, beautiful, for Kennedy Honors.
@@jeffreylang2633 what’s to feel sorry for? I wasn’t crazy about it. You loved it. Good on you. Enjoy it.
Hi perhaps no explanation is necessary. when a singer changes his style and genre so drastically and the characteristic basic elements of a long-admired way of expressing himself can trigger a strange feeling. Regardless of the songs you have heard and loved before, THIS HERE is interpreted in the intended style but is perfectly emotional and I see and hear nothing forced. I love her voice even in this rather common musical style.
@@Beboham the fact that it is a common style may be one of the reasons why I wasn’t crazy about it. Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks much.
She felt every note, every word, with all the strength and emotions she put into this performance! Even if you didn't! 😢
She reached me. Not feeling the music? I never heard or saw her feel it more. Consider please that it is a cover, to honor Francis, at the Kennedy Center. I respectfully suggest that you think about her assignment when she was asked to sing, and then listen to it again. "Grace, we don't need you to reinvent this evergreen. We need you to honor Francis." She honored him not perfectly, because one of her strengths is her imperfection, but exquisitely.
exactly.. you said what I was struggling to put into words. She was very theatrical which was called for and FFC commented on her IG about how much he loved it and that's what matters.. some people said that he had tears in his eyes after the performance. She was extremely nervous in front of a crowd of greats honouring someone who she admires and you can see her legs shake at times.. but in true fashion she rose to the occasion and I think, nailed it.. I get goosebumps every time I hear it. You probably won't like her new music if you want her to be expressing herself like she did when she was younger and the fact that she had to give up all of the music that you admired so much from her (which she herself said that she outgrew) is allowing her to express her TRUE feelings which she stated that she doesn't care if it makes her famous or not will leave some people disappointed. But as much as we may not want to think it.. she's writing her new music for herself.. not for us. I find her new stuff very experimental and you need to listen a few times to really appreciate it.. All I want from her is that she does what makes her happy, not what her old label wanted from her.. I'm so happy that her new label appears to give her free rein. Have you heard her unplugged version of What's Left of Me?.. if not, you should.
You haven’t liked anything she has done in a long time. That was an incredible performance.
I liked it!
thx
Hey Dax! Good to see you pop up again. Hope you're good. I could tell from your lack or response that you weren't impressed lol. I think it's very clear to long time fans at this point that her voice is not the healthiest. But she has never been able to hold a high note with this much strength before. Since this is not the ideal song for husky voices, I think it shows she's been practicing and improving. Power and emotion don't exactly mix well in a voice but I think she did very well. The power actually surprised me a LOT.
The most important thing is this. I have listened to the other top covers of this song. Every single artist, including Hudson, sounds like they are too busy being a singer, showing off their skills and not really thinking about the lyrics, the meaning, the purpose of the song. As always Grace does that better than anybody else when she covers a song. Never showing off, giving the song just what it needs. Have you yet heard a cover of her songs done by others that felt better than her own version? Nope. She's still got that going. Still the best at interpreting a song and giving it exactly what it needs.
@@SamBorgman hey Sam. Great to see you again! I agree that Grace stayed respectfully contained instead of showing off, which she never does, to her great credit. And yes, she did hit that one note quite nicely. I really did want to enjoy this, but I am simply spoiled, absolutely spoiled, by her older work. I don’t think she has quite found her developing soul yet, but I sure hope she does soon. Thanks again, my friend.
@@daxmusix I know what you mean with her older unreleased songs. Her voice has changed. Her speaking voice is very gravelly now, it's damaged. I was surprised she sounded so smooth here.
@@SamBorgman same… I listen to others and while they're technically impressive, I'm done after one listen. Ditto to much else of what you said. A remark below about her voice being damaged… I pray it's temporary if it's true. I have seen her pictured with a lit cigarette here and there. I've hoped against hope it was just a prop and not a damaging habit.
@@jitendradarling6571 Lot of fans never really accepted this but her voice has already been damaged. The cigs are not props either sadly. She's made her voice work very well by avoiding high notes when possible. Now it seems her sound is stronger than ever. So that's promising.
@@SamBorgman I've been saying for some time that she needs a vocal and personal coach. After the early years working with one on AGT it appears she is going it alone. Even in interviews she comes across as unsure of herself and the self-deprecating lack of confidence carries through to her performances.
She wasn't comfortable, shaky vibrato at the beginning, messed up the text a little, it wasn't her song, but at least she did it live without autotune/pitch correction, she showed balls to do that at this level, I'm sure Francis enjoyed every second of it.
To be honest, I didn't want a perfect rendition of this song, we got a Grace song, a one off, sure she could practice this every week for a few years, and she would nail it, but she did it as we got it, and it was magic.
@@davidnason6713 With the people that were in those seats it means every director, producer and casting director in the business will see this song.
She most likely had one (1) rehearsal with the orchestra the day before or the morning of the show. Given the immediacy of the performance, she went well beyond what anyone should expect, and sung with the greatest humility and respect for the venue, the event, and the audience. Like it or not, it's quite a nice entry into the resume. And I get it; there are those who think she should have belted it out in Simlish, but she's a classy girl who knows, better than anyone else, what she is doing.
I've watched Grace as much as any mega-fan, this performance (and I've analysed it many times, is up there with the highlight of her career so far, absolutely! - If you don't think so, your opinion. But otherwise, get out of my lobby dude, you're off the rails... This is absolutely phenomenal.
Grace est toujours dans l'expérimentation. Je ne sais pas si elle a un coach vocal, ou pas, elle est tellement passionnée et a une volonté de bien faire. Si elle avait été hautaine, elle ne se serait jamais laissé aller au bout de sa respiration (un point malgré tout pour elle). Grace aime tout dans la musique et je m'attends à des styles que je n'aime pas trop, mais je m'adapte (je me surprends à aimer ce que j'évitais avant). Il faut y passer Dax. C'est elle qui crée son futur.
Bonne et heureuse année 2025. Sa voix a changé et elle doit s'adapter et elle fait de son mieux. Aretha Franklin a aussi vu sa voix changer au cours du temps. Mais on pouvait s'attendre que ce soit pour Grace, plus délicat, en espérant que cela ne s'aggrave pas. Voir sa voix actuelle dans
"Grace VanderWaal parle de son béguin pour une célébrité"
I loved her artist style
Her honesty
Hey dax have you listened to her 2 songs from the megalopolis movie. My pledge and the rock song?
@@tendicottjr not yet. But I will. Thank you.
Ithinkshewasgreatyouhavwbeentoughongrace
My keyboard did that too before I tossed it and raced out to getanewone.
No idea why but I liked Peter O'Toole's version over Richard Kiley's and Peter isn't known as a singer. Thanks for pointing that out, "forced." That's the word I was trying to think of when I listened to lower raspy voices, sometimes higher ones. Almost Asthmatic voices. When listening to Kim Carnes, Bonnie Tyler and Sass Jordan it almost appears like they have to push harder than other vocalists to get the sound to come out. I suppose there were lots of Grace fans that came to the conclusion somewhere between Austin, Clearly and Hideaway that this isn't the voice I fell in love with at AGT and quietly faded away while others didn't take it well and were a little nasty as they faded.
@@Cal99ers thx Cal
I understand what you are saying and up to a point, I agree with you. But I believe that the song and the moment required that Grace use that part of her range. And for me it was beautiful even if it was not traditional Grace. Grace has always been a bit of a chameleon with her voice giving us something different depending on genre, setting or mood. But yes, as beautiful as I find her voice here it took repeated views for it to burrow its' way into my heart the way so many of her performances do.
@@erich7558 thanks Eric. I’m glad you ended up liking it even more after several hearings.
You know, you say traditional Grace, Erich, I'm not sure if I agree that this wasn't traditional Grace. The Grace I love... this is very traditional, always trying new things, exploring new genres, always pushing the boundaries of "flavor." This to "ME" is very traditional Grace. I liked it right off the bat, but, traditional Grace is a very broad range of genres and styles. She also seems to have a flare for these kinds of tunes, maybe not this exactly, but it doesn't surprise me she would do this, I am about done being surprised by song choices this girl makes, make 'em! As I always throw out there "All About That Bass." let her make trash songs beautiful and amazing. So far, she hasn't gone wrong, in my book, mind you... my book. For me, very traditional Grace. She's not afraid to step out of her comfort zone to try something different. That is one of the thigs I admire most about her, not just admire, but envy.
In my years playing on bands, I dreamt of having a band that just wrote what they feel, to hell with genre... No one person likes only ONE genre, I don't care what they say, they might be closeted on other genres, but I promise you, they like more than one. I never got that band, but... different times. Grace transcends genre and says f**k it, I'm gonna sing what I want to sing, to hell if you don't like it, I like it. (not that she would say that exactly, just the fact she sings what she want to sing)
I might just be to obsessed with her voice and music though, so I might be bias...
I'm not sure if I made a compelling argument or not, but, again, I might be bias...
@@j_man_2024 By traditional Grace, I meant that this was new to me. I believe that I have heard every song that Grace has ever posted, and I believe this is the first time that I have heard her sing this genre. She proved that she can with this performance. But it took me a while to get used to it. This isn't the first time that I needed multiple listens to one of her performances to really feel what she was doing.
@@erich7558 I hear you there, I hope you remember about my "Stray" story, how it taught me to shut my mouth and open my ears, I did not like that song at first, and it was the first one I didn't like, but then I gave it another listen, and fell in love with it, "Faults," "Boyfriends," and a few others were the same way. But, by then, I already knew how to go about it. I get nervous with every release, statistically speaking, she should have written a bad song by now... and I am scared it's coming... But, I don't dwell on it, nor let it color my opinions of new material/
@@j_man_2024 I saw the AGT Grace in this but with a husky rasp instead of the little girl voice. Same nervous tones. Nothing different but the voice.
Have you watched the unplugged of the newer songs, sorry my friend, just getting caught back up, I fell off the map for a bit, I told you the earth was flat... Just kidding it's a cube... But anyways, "Call It What You Want" was a good, but then came the unplugged and made me fall in love!
@@j_man_2024 so glad you’re still hanging around and in the game,J man. Good to hear from you! I haven’t checked out her two newest songs, which everybody on here is telling me I have to check out. So I’ll be doing that soon. Thanks man.
@@daxmusix You reacted to Both of her *NEW* songs, just not the unplugged versions...
*"What's Left Of Me"* Unplugged
ua-cam.com/video/vn-7riZCgYA/v-deo.html&pp=ygUiZ3JhY2UgdmFuZGVyd2FhbCB3aGF0J3MgbGVmdCBvZiBtZQ%3D%3D
*"Call It What You Want"* Unplugged
ua-cam.com/video/DVqtU6zVlXg/v-deo.html&pp=ygUmZ3JhY2UgdmFuZGVyd2FhbCBjYWxsIGl0IHdoYXQgeW91IHdhbnQ%3D
Like I said, listening to the unplugged version made me fall in *love* with
*"Call It What You Want"*
I am not promising, it will do the same for you, but man, it's way different, as unpluggedseseses, -(I don't know)- usually are!
I hope it gives you more love for the song hearing it stripped down, hell my friend, it make not like it even more.
@@daxmusix And thank you by the way, it's good to be back. I missed everyone. I hope you are doing well.
@@j_man_2024 I have actually seen both of the unplugged versions, and I like them quite a bit more than the productions. But still, I’m having problems with Grace‘s voice, not projecting her emotions, seeming almost contrived, though she still sounds much better than anything out there in the marketplace.
The thing that made Grace great was that there was a live wire between her emotions and expression. As I would say, the best ever. But that’s not there right now. There’s a disconnect to some degree. She’s a brave soul, so I hope she gets it back.
@@daxmusix I hear ya, I don't envy your position on the matter... but, I hear ya. I am nervous about that first song that will come out one day that I am just simply not going to like at all. There *WAS* a mark change in her voice, but me personally, I'm with it. I hope soon... for you and your love of her, she get's back to a point where you can fall in love all over again. For me, her voice can't go wrong, even if it _regresses_ per se to like letters or something... I'd be totally chill! Maybe it's just a dry spell. Soon we will know more, did I just type *soon?* Damn it that girl... She is still my queen, but she will *NEVER* please everyone, not even all of her diehard fans every time... Then again, that's *ART* for you!
Time for you to retire Dax!
@@dieterkoch6563 and miss out on the comment section?
Nah
The world would be just a little bit worse off if we didn't have Dax.
@@davidnason6713 thanks Dave 😉
I appreciate your honest reaction - it's totally valid that this performance didn't connect with you. Having followed Grace's journey, what you're hearing as artificial is actually part of her natural evolution as an artist. Her voice has deepened and matured as she's grown (vocal cords naturally loosen with age and training), and she's developed this incredible ability to channel raw, powerful emotions. It's a deeply introspective style that might not resonate with everyone, but it's very much authentic to who she is now as an artist. The tumultuous yet healing quality in her voice is something many of us deeply connect with.
@@ibeetellingya5683 Your explanation sounds quite plausible. Thank you. But of course, it all comes down to what the sound is, and I’m not hearing the authenticity. I’m hearing a great attempt at authenticity, but falling short. Thanks again.
@daxmusix I assure you the woman's pain is real, and she's expressing it clearly. That said, some are saying she was naturally trembling in fear in front of legends. Have you kept up with her original videos, songs and personal challenges?
You should listen to Brand New, im pretty sure Grace wrote it about negative old men like you. 😂
I totally Empathise with your comments and feel this too. something about her has changed not sure what? so I won’t judge. possibly now she is an adult this process up to this point has had an impact and obviously her journey will lead her down different pathways and challenges that will take many forms. she’s on life journey and she will experience lots of emotional ups and downs as she meander’s along life river of emotions I can only wish her well.
@@reflexxtr thanks for sharing those thoughts
Grace didn’t manage to turn this song into HER song. It was an interesting attempt to sing like every other singer.
It wasn‘t bad and the emotion was there!
@@vesela3116 thanks Vesela. Good to hear from you again. 😉
Dax I left a impolite response to you. I am sorry. I believe you are sincere to your opinion. However, you have been highly critical of Grace in her era of trying to find herself as an adult. You cannot dismiss this performance. in a week she had half a million views of this performance on Kennedy Honors. She reached as a gift to Francis. People felt the emotion. That was the beauty of this performance. I gain I apologize for being too thin skinned. No matter, if a stretch of her abilities, it was beautiful, sincere and impactful in a good way to her career.
@@jeffreylang2633 Thanks for getting back to me on this, Jeff.
I thought it was quite brave and extraordinary for Grace to step out of her zone a bit to do this for Francis, but of course my review is simply on what I think about the music itself. I truly did want to love it. Thanks again.
I agree with you Dax but unfortunately I can't explain it any better than you. i reckon the album will explain. Something to look forward to next year
The song didn't fit her voice.
I hear you Dax.
@@deansarkela917 thanks Dean