When, How, and Why did Ed's Voice Change? Options

[LiveForNow]

Most people here would agree that Ed's voice has changed over for the years. I agree, and unfortunately I think it changed for the worst (but not as bad as most people would say).

I don't speak music lingo, nor was I a fan of the band until 2008, so all I have to go off of are concert recordings, but to those who have seen the change and know a thing or two about vocals, what exactly happened? Why did it happen? When did it start to change, in what ways, and how has it continued to change?

Please be as unbiased as you can be and keep your theories scientific. Comments like "Because Ed's ego got in the way" doesn't really answer the how or even the what for that matter.

This post has been edited by LiveForNow: Nov 18 2016, 4:07 pm

[Unsheathed]

A very non-expert point of view:

I'm sure I'm in the minority here, but I don't really think Ed's voice was inherently remarkable at any point. It was always how he used it. His patterns of intonation were unlike anything I've ever really experienced, and the marriage of those patterns with some amazing lyrics and extremely well-crafted music from the guys surrounding him ultimately are what made Live such a uniquely powerful experience for me.

Studio recording has been VERY kind to Ed. After listening to countless live performances and listening to him live, it is clear to me that Ed was given MANY takes in the studio, and a lot of it was cleaned up with editing tools. Compare his attempted falsetto on Turn My Head on Churchbox with the final version on Secret Semadhi, as an example.

I really don't feel like his voice changed all that much, just how he used it. He started using falsetto in the studio circa SS and the finished product sounded good, so they ran with that. It sounded good on TDTH, so they ran with that. Then V came out, and then BOP, and then SFBM....

[Hoodstock]

Studio recording has been VERY kind to Ed. After listening to countless live performances and listening to him live, it is clear to me that Ed was given MANY takes in the studio, and a lot of it was cleaned up with editing tools.

I totally disagree. I think Live sounds way better in concert. I'd say the recording studio has actually ruined some of their songs.

I prefer the live performances over their albums.

[Unsheathed]

I totally disagree. I think Live sounds way better in concert. I'd say the recording studio has actually ruined some of their songs.

I prefer the live performances over their albums.

I prefer the live performances over the albums much of the time as well. I just never thought Ed sounded like a vocal powerhouse during those concerts. For me, Ed's persona on stage was not defined by the quality of his voice, but rather how he presented it.