Messageboard

The voice (40,109) by Will from England It's amazing how very different it sounds compared to her first live performance post pregnancy (Plot Your Escape 2012). She sounded so fresh, confident and her voice packed a punch. Her Christmas special was vocally fantastic and showed she could still belt. What the hell has happened since then? Has she spent such much time in the studio belting, whistling etc. that it's taken its toll on her voice? I know, she has practically lived in the studio etc. but if that was the case, shouldn't her voice be more than warmed up, especially after all the recording she has done? I'm not an expert on vocal cords so any clarity on the matter would help. I've noticed she can barely hold a belting note, often sounding out of breath or her voice breaking or it sounding a bit thin at the end or struggle to reach those notes. I'll give the National Tree Lighting performance a C- because she knew it was a bad and that she's capable of much better, so I'm hoping it's the wake up call she needs to bring her A++ game to the next one. It certainly hasn't been the year for stellar Mariah Carey performances. (Sunday 8 December 2013; 11:06)

Tree lighting (40,108) by Tory from Australia Sad. Just real sad, but I'm honestly not surprised. This is the first time in how long, we've heard her sing 100% live. People can talk about the weather, the cold etc, none of us really know what's going on with her voice. I know a lot of people criticize Mariah for overdubbing or lipsynching, but this just shows us why she does it. Did everyone just forget how much crap Whitney Houston got a couple of years ago for her live concerts? The reception was absolutely horrible. A legendary singer who was once on top of the world, now would struggle competing at your local karaoke bar. I'm hoping the media doesn't make a big deal out of this performance, because it could really damage her career and reputation even further. Then again, you can only protect/hide your flaws for so long before it gets exposed. It looks terrible when you hear her hitting the notes and belting in studio, but in front of a live audience it is a different story. However looking at the silver lining, this was one performance, if she can deliver another live performance and really bring it then people will forget about it. I think Mariah has a lot to prove in this time of her career, a whole lot to prove. I love her and will always root for her. (Sunday 8 December 2013; 7:37)

Ditto Randy / re Nikki (40,107) by Tony from US I pretty much agree with everything Randy said. One great (not just okay) 100% live performance (done in one take) from "The Voice" is not too much to ask. Weather or alcohol consumption aren't excuses, as MC is not the only singer to have a drink in any of the four seasons. Having a bad day of singing is understandable, but a decade's worth is something different. Whatever the reason, there's a problem that needs to be fixed. Nikki, I'm sure the video not being available on YouTube has less to do with Sony ATV, and more with the fact that it was a horrendous performance that MC doesn't want to be seen, especially with a new album coming. Why would I assume that? Well, with all her live performances of AIWFCIY online I find it hard to believe that all of a sudden Sony decided out of the blue to claim copyright infringement on just this one performance, and it can't be the White House, since everyone else's performances are still up. (Sunday 8 December 2013; 7:00)

Obama event (40,106) by Chicago Lamb from USA Ok lambs, here it is and I think I'll hit it on the head. She was clearly more tipsy than we've ever heard her during a performance. She's having a good time on stage but yes it's not a stellar vocal performance. The high note may have been better had the temperature been higher with more humidity in the air. Completely forgivable but maybe she shouldn't have had so much to drink beforehand. This is just an anomaly, settle down! (Sunday 8 December 2013; 6:11)

Should Mariah retire? (40,105) by RadChad from United States It has been obvious that something "happened" to her voice since 97 and it has declined since then over the years (with occasional ups but more downs in recent years), so her announcing her vocal issues wouldn't even matter at this point, because anybody who's a fan like us can figure out what happened. Having said all that, I'm thinking MC should just go ahead and retire at this point. I mean she's been struggling live for years now, many of the fans do even appreciate her latest efforts, she has already proven herself in every way possible. She has children to raise, her life is very full and fulfilled at this point. Now I know she enjoys being in the studio and creating music and I personally would love for her to keep releasing "A class" music, but I doubt she enjoys singing live, and I'm certain she's fully aware of her vocals and is probably more hard on herself than we are. I just hate to see her suffer through songs and feel embarrassed or insecure. So I say as fans instead of being disappointed, acting confused, or going in on her voice, we should just appreciate all the great music and vocals she has given us over the years, because she has truly gone far and beyond for us. (Sunday 8 December 2013; 6:08)

The lighting tree performance (40,104) by Manny from U.S. You can watch Mariah's performance below or on thenationaltree.org. You go to the tab that says "watch live". The high part did sound like she has vocal damage. I hope she does take care of herself and voice. The ability to hit the whistle notes came from getting those nodules. In essence she changed her anatomy to change the physiology of the cords. Her cords are sensitive and anything can affect it. It's a double edge sword. She acquired the angelic range but has the nodules. I would advise fans to look up more info on nodules. There are interesting videos of them on YouTube. (Sunday 8 December 2013; 4:37)

National Christmas tree lighting performance (40,103) by CHAZ from USA I too was thinking, "It can't be that bad." Then I watched it, and my heart sank. I still love my MC though! Goes to show how her voice is not an unstoppable machine. Maybe the surgery of the nodules is her resolution. Team Mariah for life! (Sunday 8 December 2013; 2:14)

If I'm being honest (40,102) by Joe from United Kingdom I actually prefered her Rockefeller Christmas performances from last year. Dubbed or not, her voice sounded alot fuller IMO. Now onto the tree lighting ceremony. I read the comments here first, thinking well it can't be that bad, untill I actually watched it. I know she has bad vocal moments, but this was something else. When she went to sing the high note, you and I just felt sad for her. I don't really need to go on explaining what might have been or is wrong with her voice now or in this performance, but I hope better performances are going to come. Mariah's voice is unpredictable when it comes to vocals. Very up and down. I think the only way is up from here to be honest. Hopefully. (Sunday 8 December 2013; 1:41)

At this point / tour (40,101) by Edward from USA I don't even know how Mariah could carry a full concert with all these inconsistent performances. It is like her voice continues to deteriorate even further. At this point the whistle register doesn't cut it on its own anymore. I can't imagine her singing a full concert without lots of lipping to the tough parts. Eversince #Beautiful came out things have been very rocky performance wise. As for IDJ is concerned, saddly Mariah is not bringing the money as Justing and Rihanna are bringing it. (Sunday 8 December 2013; 0:39)

Licia, Jeremy, Mariah's voice (40,100) by Terna from Nigeria It's [...] Licia and yes I was reffering to the Rockerfeller performance. To me those performances are also strained. I didn't even bother with the tree lighting performance after watching the former. Jeremy, you have a point. It could've also been as a result of the cold in the case of the later, but then again there's the bubbly issue. I wish she would just give up the alchohol altogether. It's wrecked her voice, especially the tone, quality and ease of singing. Mariah has too many yes people around her who are to scared to tell her: Hey Mariah slow down on the bubbly or better yet put it away. Even Nick Cannon apparently. Sorry guys, it may seem like I'm venting, but it's because I care. I'm [...] worried and not only about her voice, but her health too. (Sunday 8 December 2013; 0:16)

The truth hurts (40,099) by Tony from Ireland I dont know why some lambs are trying to explain the lightning tree performance so badly. It's not that we don't show love or support to Mariah, but being a lamb doesn't mean to excuse everything. I show love and respect to MC everyday, I'm buying all her music no matter what, but this performance as I did call it yesterday was horrible. It seems that she was expecting the playback to be on top of her voice or something, but it doesn't matter anymore. I mean, I love her and I do love everything about her, so I'm not gonna change my mind about what MC means to me. I thought it would be nice to have this kind of debate here with other lambs. (Sunday 8 December 2013; 0:07)

What? (40,098) by nikki from usa What does Sony ATV Publishing has to do with Mariah's performance? I'm mad I didn't get to see it. (Saturday 7 December 2013; 23:45)

Her beautiful spirit (40,096) by Brad from USA Hi lambs. So yes, yesterday's performance in DC was pretty rock bottom. She basically stopped singing at one point, she was so hoarse, and all she could do was greet Santa on stage. I am so heartbroken for her. I just wanted to say that clearly she is aware of this and seems to still wish to soldier on and be part of a national event at her favorite time of year. That reflects her beautiful spirit as a person which is never lauded by the media or her critics. Underneath it all, look at her love of her own family, her mother, her father, and her country. She has a beautiful spirit that should be applauded and, frankly, emulated. Be well. (Saturday 7 December 2013; 22:41)

Tree lighting performance (40,095) by Jimbo from UK Some of the comments on here are very harsh. I haven't seen the performance. I cannot find it on the web. Could someone please send me a link? I'm not one of those fans who thinks that Mariah is immune from criticism, but if she's visibly upset about her performance (as some of you reported) then we should be supportive rather than damning. How many have you had bad days at work? She's a human. Show some love. (Saturday 7 December 2013; 21:40)

Video of DC performance? (40,094) by Quaid Long from USA Does anyone know where I can watch the National Christmas tree performance that everyone says was so awful? Thanks. (Saturday 7 December 2013; 20:31)

National tree lighting (40,093) by Deedre aka MiTodoChop @HBF from Canada She couldn't breathe for some reason, and the tempo seemed off to me as well. She mentions in this video (at the end) her disdain for this performance. I could feel it. I got to respect that. I can't win them all. (Saturday 7 December 2013; 18:23)

Terna (40,092) by Licia from USA Disregard my last statement to you. I misread. I thought you were getting last night's performance mixed up with the Rockerfeller one that aired on Wednesday. I didn't realize until after I sent the message that you were just talking about the Rockerfeller performance. (Saturday 7 December 2013; 16:54)

The national tree lighting performance (40,091) by Jeremey Carey from United States In my opinion Mariah did exceptional until the headvoice notes of the "yous". When I first watched I was thinking "oh they must of dubbed it" because I had read so many bad comments, but she sounded decent up until the high notes. We need to take the fact that it was cold into consideration, not to mention she probably didn't rest properly or long enough. She probably celebrated after the Rockefeller performance with alcohol, and we know what that does to her voice. Is anyone even paying attention to how her hair was done like the Merry Christmas II you album cover and she looks skinny and gorgeous. (Saturday 7 December 2013; 16:06)

Terna (40,090) by Licia from USA The tree lighting ceremony and the Rockerfeller performances are two different performances. She did excellent on the Rocker feller performances with both songs, but the tree lighting ceremony where she did one song, she did not do well. (Saturday 7 December 2013; 15:45)

The voice (40,089) by Randy from USA I've been saying it since late 97. Something happened to the voice and when there is no magic fix it around we get the real current state of the voice. What baffles me is that anybody is surprised. I love MC. I think she is the most underrated lyricist of our time. I think she puts an album together unlike anyone we have ever known. But what she is known for is vocals. Young singers defer to her when asked about influences. She has been voted best vocalist of our time on so many lists and yet we are jittery before every live performance. I'm not beating her up and yes I want her to sing live and not lip sync. She gets mad props from me going out like a soldier. But can she please address what's been up for 16 years. If it's nodules, say that. If you damaged your voice during the Daydream tour, say it. If it's stage fright, say it. I don't worry about MC on wax because that will always be impeccable. There are technological band-aids there. But when a "live" performance is coming up, I find myself having to take a tranquilizer. (Saturday 7 December 2013; 15:17)

Tree lighting performance (40,088) by Jamie from UK Most of the performance wasn't that bad IMO, not for Mariah in 2013. It just occurred to me that her voice could still be deteriorating further, who knows what will be left in 2023 and beyond? So good for her being brave enough to sing her old songs despite her vocal issues. Hopefully her performance with Michael Buble went better. (Saturday 7 December 2013; 14:24)

It's not a big deal (40,087) by Carol from Spain I think Mariah already made enough amazing peformances in her life, so I believe fans can forgive her one less successful one. Why are some pages bitching all around? She got off on a rough start, but everyone sang off key that night and even Aretha playbacked. So what's the big deal? Calm down lambs. I actually didn't think it was so horrible and I even laughed through the end of the song because I wasn't expecting her to lose it. But it's ok, better luck next time. Some people have a short memory. Mariah is such a perfectionist, I think she felt way worse then we did. (Saturday 7 December 2013; 12:48)

Tree lighting ceremony (40,086) by David from Australia She looked really upset and based of her comment she knew she didn't perform as well as she could. I hope she doesn't go too hard on herself though. She's an amazing live performer, even to this day. Just look at the Rockefeller Center performances or Jimmy Fallon. Better than many so called "artists" these days. Every artist has their bad days. I hope this doesn't make her feel the need to lip sing more frequently, because the beauty of this performance was that she sang live and she tried. It was real. Honestly, I'd rather hear her sing live than lip sing to a song, even if she doesn't always nail it. (Saturday 7 December 2013; 11:42)

Rockefeller tree lighting performance (40,085) by Terna from Nigeria I'm so upset right now. Are we listening to the same performance here? Mariah really struggles on both songs she performed. She sounded arid, really hoarse and just all over the place and latetly it seems switching into the high notes is kinda a saver of a totally horrendous performance which is what this was. If this is the way she's sounding now makes me wonder what kinda vocals are gonna be on the album. (Saturday 7 December 2013; 11:30)

Tree lighting performance (40,084) by Stephen from London, United Kingdom That tree lighting performance was horrible. She was chasing the right key the whole song. Just awful. I don't understand how she can go from Rockefeller to this in a matter of days. It's probably one of the worst performances I've ever heard from Mariah vocally. I respect that she didn't lip it though. (Saturday 7 December 2013; 11:29)

MORE MESSAGES