Just to get back on that You Were There performance and whether or not some parts of it are out of tune. I asked my friend who used to be a musical director for many years (choirs, orchestras) as well as a sound engineer and a composer (and who also helped to turn me on to Libera
) and this is what he had to say (translated from Dutch):
"It's very simple.
They are singing along to an accompanying (orchestra) tape that has quite a lot of echo/reverb.
Also through the room where they are singing.
The recording of the broadcast is remixed.
Here and there you hear the voices directly and sometimes through the room.
This gives a distortion for the listener.
It might be that there are also voices on the tape, then it is already difficult for a choir to stay in tune.
But I think it's the first explanation.
It isn't really out of tune, it's the mix!"
I take his word on this. Ofcourse it doesn't sound as it should and that is a pity. But given the circumstances, it is understandable and the boys are not to blame. In fact, I think it shows some of their professionality, that they are willing (and, in my opinion, able) to give it their best even under lesser conditions, and also of their loyalty to the fans by giving them TV exposure like that when they are touring. And, like I said, the fact that the circumstances are as they are, adds to my admiration for this particular solo - it is very honest and pure, you can hear that after all Libera boys are only human - but blessed with many gifts and courageous and enjoying their singing and their music, which is why we love them so much
