Aoife's Brilliant song "Half Of What We Know" Berkeley, Calofrnia 2011

[francisb1977]

I've been really hesitating to say this, because it's not nice to 'hate', and I generally love this band and their albums.... but I really think Aoife's voice just doesn't work with the rest of the band. Such talented musicians need a better lead vocal. Perhaps she could get some training to strengthen her voice and make it less breathy. Or maybe she just struggles with nerves on stage. It doesn't sound so bad on the studio albums.

[Fowlerope]

@francisb1977 Wow, I totally disagree. Aoife's voice is one of the top voices in the acoustic roots music scene right now. Her singing is brilliant and completely fits with the band; they wouldn't be a band without her. She also majored in voice and has refined her craft for many of her young years. My 2 cents.

[francisb1977]

@Fowlerope thanks for your response. I do love this band and want them to go from strength to strength. I still have my reservations about Aoife's voice; she seems to 'swallow' her own voice sometimes - but at the same time I respect your point of view & input on this. I've just watched these videos youtube.com/playlist?list=PL11­29A0E06AFE4635 and somehow she comes across much better on these than on other videos I've seen. More important, CS are a bunch of friends and A has to be in!

[Fowlerope]

@francisb1977 Sounds good, man! Let's just agree to disagree. You are actually the first person I've heard that doesn't like Aoife's voice. I hear a lot more people say they don't like somebody like Chris Thile's or Geddy Lees voice so it was surprising to hear that from somebody! Live well.