I’d like to hear a scientific explanation of this!
[Example song](https://youtu.be/C7HP9Xkim9o)
I have a few questions about this.
I was once told that it’s because multiple vocals of this era were done live through a single mic (rather than overdubbed one at a time), and the layers of harmonies disturb the hair in such a way that it causes this quality. Is this the case? If it is, what exactly is the “disturbance”? Are there other factors, such as the equipment used, the mix of the recording, added reverb, etc?
EDIT: uhhhh well I didn’t expect this to blow up like it did. Thanks for everyone who commented, and thanks for the gold!
In: Physics
Mixing aside I think it’s 1 5 10 all male harmonies.
In the style youre talking about melody sings in normal range, male falsetto sings octave plus a third (10 total) and mid sings the 5th. [Simon and Garfunkel](https://youtu.be/9C1BCAgu2I8) Use octave separated male male harmony but are missing the third harmony that rounds it out . Csn’s use of 1 and 5 harmonies are definately unique since singing a third higher or lower is more common. But balanced with the falsetto third harmony up an octave you get massive range, and a different sound. Think [bohemian rhapsody](https://youtu.be/fJ9rUzIMcZQ) pushing the limits of their voices although they use more beach boys esque harmony (see below) but great range. [momma’s and the papas](https://youtu.be/N-aK6JnyFmk) have great harmony but use counter melodies male and female so it doesn’t mean the same way.
Next most similar is the most common duet harmony that your probably comparing csn to. Often mixed male and female it lacks the complexity. Sibling harmony like [first aid kit](https://youtu.be/PC57z-oDPLs) interesting haunting harmonies and they both sing the melody sometimes for a doubling effect. [Jack black singing extreme](https://youtu.be/1ISYT6EeUM0) Is another example of the much more common up or down a third harmony that’s common.
In comparison the beach boys use similar spread in their harmonies but they rely heavily of the seventh chord 2 4 5 7, a dissonant non smooth tense style that is actually popular in 50’s music and even old hymns and church music. Also maj7 chords.
Another comparison is barber shop. This has the same notes as csn but in the same octave usually 1 3 5 or 7ths but never the octave above. It sounds crowded and outdated. Depth in barber shop is given by adding a simple walking base line usually an octave lower playing the root note of any chord. This type of music usually also has simple chord progressions of 1st 4th and 5th.
Acapella harmonies usually have an ooh aah background sound so they aren’t singing the lyrics, producing another style. Same with choral arrangements or backup singers which dont sign the melody but instead add a rhythm section vibe.
So with all the harmony styles I can think of that all fundamentally use the same notes in different ways that style your talking about which I’m caling 1 5 10 male harmony is difficult to arrange, difficult vocally and just out of style compared to the third or choral/backup harmonies used so often today.
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