It’s one of the greatest rock voices of all time: alternately melodic, raw, sweet and supercharged while also extremely versatile and infused with different characters. Paul McCartney’s lead, harmony and backing vocals have graced tender ballads, balls-to-the-walls rockers and almost everything else in between. But how did his talents in that regard develop and expand down the years? What has caused the vocal deterioration: insufficient technique, too much weed, old age or undisclosed health issues? And what, if anything, can be done about it?
The answers to the last two questions—provided in our interview with legendary voice teacher to the stars Seth Riggs and his wife/vocal technician Margareta—may surprise you. Heart lead guitarist Craig Bartock and acclaimed music critic/musicologist/author Allan Kozinn are our co-hosts.
For info on Seth and Margareta Riggs, go to theriggsvocalstudio.com
The Music
Oh! Darling
That’s When Your Heartaches Begin
Any Time at All/A Hard Day’s Night
I Saw Her Standing There
Hippy Hippy Shake/Ooh! My Soul/Long Tall Sally
All My Loving
Something/Nowhere Man
You Won’t See Me
Till There Was You
I’ve Just Seen a Face/I’m Down/Yesterday
She’s Leaving Home
Fixing a Hole
Helter Skelter/Why Don’t We Do It in the Road?
I Will/Lady Madonna
Besame Mucho/Golden Slumbers
Rocky Raccoon/Honey Pie/Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey
Monkberry Moon Delight
Too Many People
I’ve Had Enough
Maybe I’m Amazed
New
Lonesome Town
Sing the Changes
Freedom
Hey Jude
My Valentine
Cut Me Some Slack
Goodbye