Vincent Prinzivalli Song Comparison

Billy Joel- Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LraZEoRnkPc

The King's Singers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2V5D6BHOrA

Alexander Balla (MasteroftheMood)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5zJeoYymjs

Rob Mahlum (ahsgolf2010)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ezz6GPRq7lQ

I chose to compare three different arrangements of Billy Joel’s “Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)” from his 1993 album, River of Dreams.

A lifelong Billy Joel fan, I have always loved this song and consider it to be one of my favorite of his ballads. The song features an emotional text, inspired by Billy Joel’s daughter, for whom he wrote the song, as he and his wife were experiencing divorce. It was recorded with Joel on piano, adding strings and possibly synthesizer in the background. Characteristic of Billy Joel’s writing, the accompaniment explores the entire range of the piano and uses borrowed chords. The piano part usually consists of chords in rhythm with the melody, filled in with interesting suspensions and passing tones that support the vocal line by adding color and flavor to the harmony. Beethoven’s well-known influence on Billy Joel’s music becomes evident in the instrumental bridge midway through the piece.

The King’s Singers do a fantastic arrangement of this song. Sung in their famous a cappella style, the arrangement really shows off the talent and skill of the ensemble. The six vocalists are able to effectively imitate some of the same expanded harmonies and suspensions heard in the piano of the original recording. The King’s Singers perform the song with remarkable phrasing and impeccable blending, especially in the homophonic section of the arrangement. They also use a neutral syllable to replicate the middle instrumental bridge. Countertenor David Hurley does an impressive job when he takes over the melody as a solo and the entire group fades out together beautifully at the song’s conclusion.

Next, I compared two solo guitar/voice covers of the song, starting with Rob Mahlum. I thought Rob did a pretty good job with his rendition. His singing was pretty good for a live recording and his guitar arrangement worked well with his singing style. However, I felt straight block chords all the way through was a little too plain, and would have liked to see some more movement in the accompaniment. Alexander Balla, in my opinion, had a better approach in his arrangement, as he used more finger picking, creating a more interesting accompaniment. By doing this, Alexander was able to incorporate more of the moving lines found in Billy Joel’s piano part, particularly with respect to the introduction. I also liked the way Alexander handled the section at 1:55 by singing “du’s” while bringing out his finger picking technique. Balla’s technique and more elaborate ideas made his guitar cover much more enjoyable to listen to.

Music Comparison

I listened to “Hymn to the Sea” by James Horner, from Titanic. The first arrangement was from the soundtrack.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wz1xA5kxVI&feature=related

It begins with soft, deep piano chords, a singer and a trumpet on the melody. Then the tune is taken up by uilleann pipes, with strings on harmony. A flute doubles the pipes, and a higher violin counter-melody is heard. Lower wind instruments begin a scalar pattern in the bass. A choir of boys enters in harmony, and all the instruments drop out except the strings. Later the trumpet is again in harmony with the choir, barely audible. The pipes and strings carry the final statement of the melody, joined by a few notes of a harp. The strings and the trumpet play the finishing cadences.
This arrangement is wonderful; I particularly like the ending, which to me resembles the end of Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet, with the bass notes and the high violins. The singer is essential to the piece; she sets the mood and states the melody. Both she and the uilleann pipes add a quality of sadness and simplicity to the piece.
The second arrangement I listened to was by the solo singer on the soundtrack, Norwegian singer Sissel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tis7uLQD4Yc&feature=related

She begins with the melody from the movie, very similar to that on the soundtrack, accompanied by strings and a women’s choir. The last note transitions to a modern arrangement of the folk song "Eg Veit I Himmerik Ei Borg," the song which inspired Horner to compose “Hymn to the Sea.” It uses drums, electric guitar, organ/synthesizer, and the women’s choir. Just as soon as this ends, however, Sissel repeats a verse of “Hymn to the Sea.” This creates unity between the pieces, and juxtaposes an ethereal wistful song with a much stronger one.
I admire this piece very much. Using a familiar piece like this one from “Titanic” with a rather obscure Norwegian folk song is, in my opinion, fantastic.