LINKAce Young "We Will Rock You"
PLEASE NOTE: Just before this Masterclass article was published online, I happened to find a link to this article on Queen band member Brian May's website confirming my opinions in this evaluation of Ace's performance and disputing the supposed brouhaha between Queen and Ace.
Strengths:Ace- this week you decided to move away from your customary balladeer repertoire to present us with this instantly recognizable Queen composition. Good call! I loved the manner in which you adapted this song to highlight your vocal and artistic style. Your voice sounded seamless and resonant throughout this song. The powerful percussive rhythm encouraged you to sing in a more aggressive manner and guess what? It allowed you to access those powerful diaphragmatic breathing muscles in a consistent fashion throughout this number. Movement is so important in a singer's vocal delivery; it relaxes the body and, yet, at the same time, encourages the lower body muscles to assist in the technical process.
Also, Ace, the nasal quality that permeated so many of your performances in previous weeks was replaced with a meaty, energized and resonant vocal sound. Finally, you were adding head tone into your mid range and your voice sounded more authoritative and convincing throughout this great number. Additionally, you were really adhering your vocal sound to those pure vowels, maintaining a consistent circular mouth position, thus enriching your vocal timbre. This was wonderful vocal progress, Ace, in one short week. Just excellent!
I loved your stage choreography; your exaggerated strides in sync with the rhythmic pulse of the basic beat were just the ticket to create an overall entertaining and convincing showcase. Additionally, there was a musically seamless flow to the whole performance - visually and vocally. I love when a singer can sustain a forward momentum throughout the melodic phrase lines and this was an evident component in your performance, Ace. This was a well- paced, meticulously rehearsed presentation. Bravo! What a way to open this week's show!
Critique: Ace - when I look back at the Masterclass articles from previous weeks, I was critiquing you like a crazy woman. Well, this week, take a well -deserved rest and so will I. I thought this was a great performance - the arrangement, for me (unlike the judges) really worked. I still don't understand what all the fuss is about, so you have at least one fan in your corner and, I expect, thousand upon thousands more! I know that the original cover has a more vigorous and meaty vocal delivery, but a singer has to adapt a song to his vocal sound and, at times, reinvent the artistic wheel. Objectivity is key here when evaluating a performance; this worked for me. It's not Queen, but it still worked!
Now, the big question! Can you sustain this energized vocal sound when you sing a ballad? Remember, the intensity and the support must always be a constant in all your song selections; it just requires a more subdued approach but, nevertheless, it must be there.
I expect you will be back to ballads next week when you highlight a song from the Great American Songbook. Therefore, remember to reinforce all the wonderful technical elements that you displayed in this week's performance into next week's and you will have another winner. And, if next week's song happens to be up-tempo, then you will be more than prepared!
Congratulations, Ace! Great work!