I think the backing vocals (vocal harmonies) in those old bands, such as CSN(&Y) and Yes, are very different from those in comtemporary bands' music. The former tends to be ethereal, in high pitch, delicate and kind of "abnormal", while today's are more easy-listening.
Do you consider it as a phenomenean?

Somewhat, I think that especially in the 60s, harmonies were a huge thing. If you want an album that is literally full of amazing harmonies, check out the Zombies' Odessey and Oracle. It's absolutely amazing. I think the Zombies were almost on par with the Beach Boys ( Pet Sounds) and The Beatles (Most their albums, but Rubber Soul in general has great backing) for backing vocals. If you're talking about great 60s harmonies, the three bands I listed are pretty much some of the best of the 60s, though there are many more.

I consider everything Yes did to be an phenomenon, same as Pink Floyd.

But on a more serious note, the backing vocals / harmonies of the 60s/70s with bands like CSN(&Y) and Yes compared to now is probably more to do with the evolution of rock music, and who rock musicians take their influences from, i.e. Yes took their influences from a capella, rock'n'roll and classical music; whereas modern day rock musicians take their influences from bands of the 60s/70s.

My favorite 60's harmonies were by The Byrds--Roger McGuinn, David Crosby, Gene Clark and Chris Hillman's voices sounded amazing together. CSN(&Y) had great harmonies, too, but The Byrds ruled all.

There's also that band Pink Floyd--their debut Piper at the Gates of Dawn had great vocal harmonies by Syd Barrett and Rick Wright, and a little later on, David Gilmour (Barrett's replacement) did some cool harmonies with Wright. You guys really should check them out

thank you guys, I do like the music of the Beach Boys, the Byrds, besides, I will also check out the Zombies

David Gilmour's gentle voice is fascinating! he is a good backing vocal - and he is a graceful singer too. one of my favourite is his "learning to fly":thumbsup:

to Dyolf:
is there anywhere to discuss Yes' music? I find "tales from topographic oceans" really difficult to get into. Jon's trademark vocie is unique indeed!!!

The '60s masters of multi-part vocals were the Beach Boys, Beatles, Byrds, CSN and Simon and Garfunkel. I'd have to say the Boys were the best considering the intricate harmonic and contrapuntal parts Brian Wilson specialized in. Buffalo Springfield and the Hollies also deserve mention. The Who and the Kinks were also fairly adept at this. I'm certain I've left several more out. Jefferson Airplane? Perhaps some Motown or girl groups from Phil Spector's stable?

I don't consider Yes' background vocals to be one of their strengths, particularly live, though the parts were well written. The '70s was much more about instrumentality.

unchained Wrote:I think the backing vocals (vocal harmonies) in those old bands, such as CSN(&Y) and Yes, are very different from those in comtemporary bands' music. The former tends to be ethereal, in high pitch, delicate and kind of "abnormal", while today's are more easy-listening.
Do you consider it as a phenomenean?

And you can always look back on the sort of culture of making music over the years. You know; sort of what was popular in those times.
Certainly in the fifty and certain groups of the sixties, the vocals and vocal harmonies were more important. Of course there are exceptions as some artists preferred to concentrate on lyrics without much attention to vocal harmonies.
By the 1970's, the guitar had all but taken the driver's seat as it's importance in a great deal of the music and vocals and background vocals were becoming more and more polished and managed with electronic engineering.
In disco, it was time for the beat and the music to have center stage.
And then in the 1980's we had more electronic vocal "highlighting" and filters and the keyboards, synthesizers and drum machine became more prevailent to some than vocal harmony.
In the 1990's most all the aforementioned stuff was tossed in the bin and very little effort was placed on making "good records" as some of us tasted the made from scratch grunge meat pies. A few hold outs from the previous decades "new wave" or "alternative" bands continued with some synthesized keyboards and vocals and there were also brief bouts of "accoustic mania" and shiny hard rock guitar of course.
I don't want to call harmony vocals a fad but certainly you can look back and sort of see the industry's and the music listener's preferences and how they have shifted in the decades.

unchained Wrote:to Dyolf:
is there anywhere to discuss Yes' music? I find "tales from topographic oceans" really difficult to get into. Jon's trademark vocie is unique indeed!!!

There's a Yes thread in the Outside The Wall somewhere, or you could try YesFans

Some Other Jackass Wrote:

unchained Wrote:I think the backing vocals (vocal harmonies) in those old bands, such as CSN(&Y) and Yes, are very different from those in comtemporary bands' music. The former tends to be ethereal, in high pitch, delicate and kind of "abnormal", while today's are more easy-listening.
Do you consider it as a phenomenean?

And you can always look back on the sort of culture of making music over the years. You know; sort of what was popular in those times.
Certainly in the fifty and certain groups of the sixties, the vocals and vocal harmonies were more important. Of course there are exceptions as some artists preferred to concentrate on lyrics without much attention to vocal harmonies.
By the 1970's, the guitar had all but taken the driver's seat as it's importance in a great deal of the music and vocals and background vocals were becoming more and more polished and managed with electronic engineering.
In disco, it was time for the beat and the music to have center stage.
And then in the 1980's we had more electronic vocal "highlighting" and filters and the keyboards, synthesizers and drum machine became more prevailent to some than vocal harmony.
In the 1990's most all the aforementioned stuff was tossed in the bin and very little effort was placed on making "good records" as some of us tasted the made from scratch grunge meat pies. A few hold outs from the previous decades "new wave" or "alternative" bands continued with some synthesized keyboards and vocals and there were also brief bouts of "accoustic mania" and shiny hard rock guitar of course.
I don't want to call harmony vocals a fad but certainly you can look back and sort of see the industry's and the music listener's preferences and how they have shifted in the decades.

thank you for your detailed description! vocals are an important part in classic rock.