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Singing genes — 24 Comments

  1. Here’s another collection of great singers that are all related: Cissy Houston, Whitney Houston, Dionne Warwick, DeeDee Warwick, Leontyne Price (an early African American lead singer at the Met) and Cheyenne Elliot (not famous but great voice).

  2. I read that Barbra had a grandpa who was a cantor
    so there seems to be a genetic link there, she has kind if a voice geared to musicals, loud volume &
    very expressive.
    I also read that Judy Garland was jealous & felt threatened by Liza becoming successful, even pushed her off stage when they were taking bows after a duet they had done.
    And while I am dishing the dirt, Don Everly is reported to be the sticky wicket in what was their relationship.
    He thought Phil was the better singer & resented him for that reason.

  3. look up the genetic studies of CANTOR

    they found that the jewish cantors are mostly from a single line of singers…

  4. Jason Gould definitely has a better voice than any of Frank Sinatra’s children. I wonder if Elliot Gould had any singers or cantors in his family tree.

  5. I recently read Gregg Allman’s autobiography (I know, sounds like a waste of time, but the guy is one of the best white blues singers of all time, and it was fascinating). He has five children (acknowledged) and at least four of the five are respected professional musicians.

    Steve Earle: Justin Townes Earle.

    The three Hank Williamses, and Jett.

    Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle: Rufus Wainwright, Martha Wainwright.

    Loudon Wainwright III and Suzzy Roche: Lucy Wainright Roche.

    etc etc

  6. The McGrarrigle sisters were such wonderful pair, not truly great vocalists, but together they were very special to me. And their songwriting talents covered the range from whimsical to exquisite. Btw, everyone who has not done so should give Karen Savoca a listen… you will not be disappointed.

  7. As any frequent church attendee can tell you, there are a lot of amazing unknown singers out there. (There are also very few people who are tone-deaf like they depict them in the movies, but there are a few. I sat next to one yesterday. You could raise cattle in the space between the notes he was aiming for and the notes he hit.)

    My bet is, great singing requires some genetic gifts, but also early training and a sense of musicality. Success in show business requires some completely different skills.

  8. Don’t know how genetics plays into the abilities of off-spring of great singers. Based on personal observation, it must play a role. I used to sit as far from my Dad as possible in church. Sadly, I sing just like him.

    Neo wrote: [NOTE: Yes, I know you don’t like Streisand’s politics. This isn’t about her politics.]

    The problem, Neo, is that people like Streisand weave their politics through their talent and celebrity, so that you can’t separate them. Just teasing you.

  9. Back when Larry King had the overnight radio show (which I listened to back then) more than once expressed his opinion that Streisand sang the most beautiful rendition of the Christmas carol Silent Night that he’d ever heard. I always found that interesting, a Jewish man appraising a Jewish woman’s performance of a Christian song, and a fairly religious Christian song at that. Not that I disagree with him, she does it beautifully.

  10. Politics, for me, has consequences. I don’t care if her son is the new Bennett, who I also don’t abide after I realized he was a heavy political activist. Let the left and idiots pour money into leftist coffers through these cretins, I won’t.

  11. Talent is god-given. That’s ridiculous. Some people just have it.

    Artists always amaze me.

  12. @ G, Barbra also does “Ave Maria”
    People talented enough to be great singers, & musicians think it quite natural to perform the *classics* even though religiously themed.
    Don t forget there are classical pieces out there that are written to accompany Catholic Mass, I have never heard of a genuine talent being reluctant to share their special gift with the wider world because its origins are religious. Ditto great art masterpieces
    & stunning medieval cathedrals & the Sistine Chapel
    these are all enjoyed & exalted by people of all faiths & no faith. I guess only Jihadist radical muslims would like to rid the world of these for the cause of Allah. Recall the ancient Buddah, was it ?
    that they blew to smitherines (sp) in Iraq (I think).

  13. Being short, stocky, and gray haired, I am built like, and actually look rather like a Badger. Alas, I also sing like one.

  14. took me a while to find it… (you may or may not be surprised at how many doctors have the last name cantor, and so make searching for things about cantor harder)

    The kohanim are the descendants of Aaron, chosen by G-d at the time of the incident with the Golden Calf to perform certain sacred work, particularly in connection with the animal sacrifices and the rituals related to the Temple. After the destruction of the Temple, the role of the kohanim diminished significantly in favor of the rabbis; however, we continue to keep track of kohein lineage. DNA research supports their claims: a study published in Nature in June 1997 shows that self-identified kohanim in three countries have common elements in the Y-chromosome, indicating that they all have a common male ancestor. For more information about this and other recent genetic studies, see The Cohanim/DNA Connection at Aish.com.

    Kohanim are given the first aliyah on Shabbat (i.e., the first opportunity to recite a blessing over the Torah reading), which is considered an honor. They are also required to recite a blessing over the congregation at certain times of the year.

    The term “Kohein” is the source of the common Jewish surname “Cohen,” but not all Cohens are koheins and not all koheins are Cohens. “Katz” is also a common surname for a kohein (it is an acronym of “kohein tzaddik,” that is, “righteous priest”), but not all Katzes are koheins.

    [i nearly memorize everything i read and can usually recal the substance. the internet allows me to use the substance to refind the source easier]

    The Cohanim – DNA Connection
    The fascinating story of how DNA studies confirm an ancient biblical tradition.
    http://www.aish.com/ci/sam/48936742.html

    George M Cohen
    Eddie Cantor
    etc…

    🙂

  15. “…This isn’t about her politics.”

    I recognize a great talent when I see or hear one, and Barbra Streisand has a great talent. However, as others have pointed out, she also uses her talent and celebrity to push her leftist political viewpoint, a viewpoint which I vehemently disagree with. Therefore, I forgo the enjoyment of her talent because I do not wish to contribute to her politics.

  16. Artfldgr – Yes all kohanim are descended from Aaron on the male side but cantors are not kohanim.

  17. I think it is too bad that she is horning in on this guy’s project, probably thinking she’s “helping”, but once again, the attention will go to her. Poor guy having her as a mother must have been awful.

  18. Works the oposite way, too, G Joubert —

    My grandmother and great aunt (and millions of others of their generation) used to wait with great anticipation every year for Perry Como to sing “Kol Nidre”, the introductory prayer to the Yom Kippur liturgy, on his TV show.

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