Marion Williams: The Voice That Bridged Gospel and Opera

[@MilikKashadTV]

To support this channel in its efforts to continue making quality and accessible music education content, please consider a donation: paypal.me/blackmusicarchive cash.app/$BlackMusicArchive account.venmo.com/u/milik-kashad-1

[@QuinnMurphyMakeup]

I'll never forget the first time I heard her voice, unlike anything I had ever heard. So much love.

[@TortoiseJames]

Man I'm late!!! I usually catch your drops on Day 1. Loved Marion Williams. Still remember her Kennedy Center episode. That tribute was FIRE!!! Billy Preston, Little Richard, Aretha Franklin, even Joe Williams sung a little from the audience...the whole HOUSE was watching together, all generations!!!

[@saintjay8058]

Haven’t even started it and I KNOW it’s gonna hit. The only women to rival Clara , Inez , Mahalia and Dorothy!

[@colortura]

Great video. I love Marion Williams.

[@noreneal7252]

Whitney was very much influenced by Marion moreso indirectly through Cissy. Marion was one of Cissy’s favorite singers and influences. You can clearly hear that soprano thing in Cissy and Whitney’s voice!

[@kklustra]

True!

[@allancuseo7431]

Loved her

[@IsaacWilliamsii]

She’s always been one of my favorite singers. This was great!

[@JeremyM2]

BMA/Milik this is some of your finest work! No other channel measures up to the in depth quality you put in your videos. Which is why I hope in some way you can continue to make this type of content. It’s needed.

[@Winysamuel]

The video is brilliant in explaining technique…gospel and opera. Love this video ❤️

[@GesangsMeister]

Great Docu!!!!

[@artistman5533]

Wonder​ful​ presentation ❤❤❤

[@noreneal7252]

Great video! So well explained and beautiful in capturing the prowess, magnitude, and reach of Marion’s voice. Gone physically but not forgotten!

[@1bunnsinger]

Wonderful presentation! Thanks for sharing. Don't forget to mention the use of the head voice which creates the operatic sound, very much a part of the dome.

[@JillCheese]

You said I was gonna love this one, and (not that there was any doubt) I did! Marion Williams is mother to nearly ALL our faves and one of my biggest inspirations because of my own grandma's love for her, Mahalia, Clara Ward, and the Barrett Sisters. You brought back so many memories, so I thank you, Milik💞🙏🏾 EDIT: I'M STILL CTFU! NO WAY YOU GOT NICOLE HEASTON-LANE😭🙌🏾

[@adrina911]

She had a powerful voice. ❤❤❤❤

[@LCannon78]

Thank you for your videos! Love Marion! ❤❤

[@PhatCallas-kt3rk]

A genius indeed

[@julianm1194]

Been waiting on this one since you love to mention her! Proud of your work🎉

[@leerhode1021]

This was an outstanding video. I would love to see you do a commentary on Jessye Norman. I know you would do her justice. Thanks.

[@creoleking8905]

Genius

[@OldSchoolChurchMusic]

YESSSS MY FAVORITE SOPRANO

[@mrakennedy]

I’ll always speak her name. She was never celebrated for her significant contributions to the gospel industry. Singing hard gospel is exceptionally tough to maintain as our vocal cords change over time but Marion was able to maintain and sing with that same strength until the day that she transitioned.

[@merkjanoosterhoff1590]

I think she was celebrated. She's been very populair in europe since the early 60's.

[@mrakennedy]

@@merkjanoosterhoff1590I should clarify that while she was celebrated abroad, a lot of gospel artists were during that time period, she wasn’t celebrated the way that she deserved from “home” in the states. Her talent is out of this world. I’m glad that she is still being talked about for her contributions.

[@geauxel]

Thank you Nicole…what a great mini-doc.

[@kishagreen4578]

Fun fact: Opera Singer Leontyne Price is Cissy Houston first cousin. So, hitting those high opratic notes run in the family.

[@davidrectorkingofsoul]

Marvelous and gifted!

[@bskeete]

Great video, thank you!!

[@spinartist2397]

Love your videos!!! They're so informative and entertaining

[@teodorsvobodniy]

Wow! Didnt expect that!

[@myanabook]

this is beautiful 🥹❤

[@JeremyM2]

Like Mahalia, Marion’s voice is only heard once in a millennium. ❤

[@noreneal7252]

J Robert Bradley, Rance Allen, Sarah Jordan Powell, Daryl Coley, Mahalia Jackson, Princess Stewart, etc all have classical isms in their vocal techniques and singing.

[@shirleyjones8953]

Enjoyed this video ❤

[@gospelphilomath]

Dearly Beloved, this is what you call a FLAT-FOOTED SINGER.

[@caninbar]

I agree that a relaxed and dropped jaw helps resonance, but if there isn't space in the back and the larynx isn't low, it's not going to help much. And the tongue changes position and can be very problematic. Many experts maintain that the back of the tongue must be up and out of the throat for obvious reasons. I think her size helped her support that big voice.

[@teegee7801]

Patti LaBelle DEFINITELY has a lot Marion in her exploitation of that Soprano register. She wasnt trained either!!

[@ayanoscolors]

7:13

[@user-fx3jw2qm1q]

It was definitely true about black churches, a lot of them didnt have audio systems. Thats how I learned to project and didnt know thats what I was learning to do.

[@Nicole-vo5vv]

5:50

[@kimberlyjade4094]

Come someone explain to me the difference between Mahalia and Marion? Who was more operativ between the two??

[@winette864]

I think maybe a decent comparison would be like comparing Patti Labelle to Tina Turner

[@enid9911]

22:10 She is smart because you aren't supposed to sing with your throat unless you wanna damage your voice.

[@musiclover4life407]

Bring back the 1st sopranos. Look at fellowship, first church, the Tommies, etc

[@CalifaJohn1]

Leontyne Price, Grace Bumbty, and Shirley Verrett were not "screamy." They were doing dramatic soprano roles that require full board extreme vocalizing to convey the dramatic content, usually tragedy. Maria Callas had the same aproach and it made her one of the greats. Verdi and Mozart are worlds apart in their musical expression. Mozart could never be called screamy. Sopranos like Beverly Sills were perfect for Mozart but probably lacking in vocal power for Verdi.