Taylor Swift on SNL

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 12 Jan 2009 12:40 pm

Taylor didn't help Country at all on SNL.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 12 Jan 2009 12:48 pm

Could you please elaborate.

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 12 Jan 2009 1:03 pm

Mark,
She sang bad! It was an embarrassment.

Bo Borland · Post by **Bo Borland** » 13 Jan 2009 2:45 pm

T,
I heard the first tune & thought it was performed ok, but with 2 lead guitars and no progressive steel or fiddle playing, I would hardly call it country music. But I didn't think she sang particularly badly.
I just am not a fan of Taylors' or "chick/teeny bopper" music but I love good female singers.

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 13 Jan 2009 4:09 pm

Thanks for acknowledging that Theresa. She's not country and can't sing on key. She appears to be a marketing tool for the label to market to the 16 year old Hannah Montana wanna be's. They make her up to look like a young Shania Twain.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 13 Jan 2009 4:11 pm

The major labels do not, I repeat, DO NOT select singers on the basis of whether or not they can sing.

That was true in Cass Elliott's day...but not now.

Bo Borland · Post by **Bo Borland** » 13 Jan 2009 4:20 pm

Cass Elliot... oh mama!

Taylor might be able to carry a tune-sing but she's not a SINGER like a Jodee Messina.
Same could be said for a whole lot of popular "artists" ("talent") .. but that's ok..

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 13 Jan 2009 8:12 pm

I'll tell you what (and granted, that wasn't a particularly stellar performance) my wife and I watched a profile of Taylor the other night, and if half of it is true, I am extremely impressed with this young woman.

She can write a decent song, and Sony hired her as a staff songwriter to come in after school when she was 14.

Face it folks, she's a so-called "crossover" singer, it's not about twin fiddles and pedal steels on many of the songs.

She is the age of my youngest daughter - she's just a kid - I think there is a lot of potential there.

I don't think Dolly Parton was a legend when she was 18.

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 13 Jan 2009 9:40 pm

quote:

"but she's not a SINGER like a Jodee Messina"

Interesting...in the audio world her records are thought to be prime examples of poor use of autotune...

Bo Borland · Post by **Bo Borland** » 14 Jan 2009 4:27 am

I think TS is less of a cross over artist, although that was probably in the master marketing plan, than she is a Hannah Montana/Monkees clone aimed at the teeny bopper/ safe for mom and dad to like market.
No value judgement from me, if my daughter was similarly motivated and to play and write songs I am sure that with an eye on the prize and a contract from a publusher that I would do exactly as her parents did and never look back. Taylor is probably a very sweet young girl I just have no interest in listening to the subject matter of her tunes or the weakness of her voice.

John M, I have never listened to Jodees' music with the critcal ear that you may have, so I have not heard the over use of auto tune. I am listening with a musicians ears to the chord progression, structure and melody of her tunes as well as the power and range of her voice. While that may be all smoke and mirrors due to auto tune, and the chord progressions may be beyond the scope of many "country" pickers, I have enjoyed listening to some of her tunes.

Greg Vincent · Post by **Greg Vincent** » 14 Jan 2009 11:46 am

The first song seemed to be in a key that was way too low for her. Anybody else notice that? -GV

Brian Kurlychek · Post by **Brian Kurlychek** » 14 Jan 2009 1:05 pm

they must use pitch correction on the album because live she is horrible. She was bad on new year's rockin' eve also.

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 15 Jan 2009 6:39 pm

I also saw that profile piece about Taylor Swift.They talked about how involved in every aspect of her music she is,You would think that her record company would send her to a vocal coach?I've seen her live on a few T.V. shows and she has major pitch problems,I have never heard Dolly Parton sing out of tune,It's not even fair to compare the two of them,Taylor Swift's pitch is just awful,It has nothing to do with her age,You either have good pitch or you don't.

Michael Haselman · Post by **Michael Haselman** » 16 Jan 2009 12:09 pm

Usually Theresa sticks up for the NCS artists. If she thought it was bad...I've seen her on CMT and have yet to notice any discernable talent.

Michael Haselman · Post by **Michael Haselman** » 16 Jan 2009 12:12 pm

Speaking of pitch, I once saw Diercks Bentley on Austin City Limits and his pitch was so off I was embarrassed for him.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 16 Jan 2009 1:16 pm

I not ashamed to say I actually like Taylor Swift. Have both her CD's and they're pretty good.

BUT

Every time I see her perform on TV she is horrid. Definate use of pitch correction and probably other devices to make her sound good on CD.

And, she's cute. Isn't that what it takes to be a star in Nashville these days?

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 16 Jan 2009 1:27 pm

Well, to be fair to Taylor, I wasn't literally comparing her to Dolly Parton - I just used Dolly's name as someone that became a legend in the music industry, but when she was 18 she certainly hadn't achieved that status.

As far as the concept that you either have good pitch or you don't - I don't buy it. Obviously there is a natural ability quotient in becoming a good vocalist,some are more gifted than others (Alison Krauss) but one can certainly improve with training.

One of my older brothers, like me has always had a passion for music, and when he was young he couldn't sing a lick. Unlike me, he didn't start taking lessons at age 10. then a number of years ago he seriously got into guitar, and I think through developing his ear from guitar playing, he's a halfway decent vocalist these days.

One might say, "so what's Taylor's excuse for being off-pitch, she has played guitar for a number of years and is in the professional arena?" It's a legitimate question. She could certainly use some vocal coaching

To get down to brass tacks, I guess all I'm saying is for gosh sake, cut the kid some slack, she's only 18.

I'm curious to see how she comes along. I like to think of her as perhaps being a baseball pitcher just out of high school who has strong fastball, but no control yet, maybe walks a lot of hitters.

She needs some work, but she is really driven, and I think that will stand her in good stead as she matures.

Some of the posters in this thread are dismissing her as being one of those corporately manufactured artists like the Backstreet Boys or the Spice Girls with a touch of twang thrown into the mix,and speaking of fairness, I think that isn't being very fair.

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 16 Jan 2009 8:27 pm

Mark,Actually I like Taylor Swift,I think that she's a decent songwriter,Every time I see her perform I want her to do good but I wind up cringing,She's a major star and deserves a major vocal coach,I'm not talking perfect pitch just somewhere closer to the note.I'm also curious to see how she comes along,She's definitely a breath of fresh air.

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 17 Jan 2009 7:00 am

Taylor has talent in writing!
She does need vocal lessons, she'll get better and better with time.
Her parents have been behind her all the way and she does seem down to earth.
I saw her at Macy's last spring and she's cute!

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 17 Jan 2009 10:41 am

There are dozens of people with more talent waiting in line with more talent and are more deserving of development. She does not deserve to be where she is. Another Corporate creation.

Ron ! · Post by **Ron !** » 17 Jan 2009 11:51 am

She sang bad!

Nothing new huh?

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 17 Jan 2009 11:56 am

Kevin,
It has nothing to do with corporate creation.

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 17 Jan 2009 1:08 pm

Theresa, could you please tell us then how a teenager who has no obvious musical talent is blasted on commercial radio every five minutes and plastered on national T.V., when others with real talent sit on the sidelines?

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 17 Jan 2009 1:10 pm

To my understanding her parents have money!

She has songwriting abliity......which relates to living today. I commend her for that.

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 17 Jan 2009 1:13 pm

She's definitely as cute as a bug in a rug,I have a feeling that she doesn't want to lipsync?And I salute that,Hopefully she will get her live singing better,She's on the cover of every mag at the grocery store and she's a natural in front of the camera.Her parents have money?Could you get me a phone number?