Tony,
The Jazz singers I was referring to were local gals who have great voices, but have a tendency to sing out of their range. Not at all unusual, especially in the nite-clubs and bars in Baltimore. I wasn't talking about Mel Tourme, who is one of my all time favorites. I've seen him perform in person and to be perfectly honest, I don't recall him pulling the mic away--ever, but I could have missed that because I was so enthralled with his performances. I've seen Sinatra do it, but not as often as you might think. Sammy Davis Jr. did it a lot, but I can't recall Dean Martin doing it very often, if at all. Dean had a soft, laid-back voice that always seemed to be in a comfortable range for him.
Like I said, a headset mic is NOT for EVERYONE! It works just fine for me, and it works for a lot of great singers who make me look like I don't know how to sing at all. I'm NOT condemming handheld mics--they work just fine for lots of performers, and keep in mind that I used one for more than four decades before going to a headset mic, and I never used a pull-away technique. I didn't need to. However, since switching to a headset mic, and utilizing the freedom it offers a OMB entertainer, I for one, would never go back to a handheld mic on a stand. In this business you use what works best for YOU, not something someone on the forum says is the ONLY tool or technique that works.
Don Mason tried the Crown CM-311A and it wasn't comfortable for him, therefore he went back to a handheld mic. Donny just didn't like the results he got, but he changes gear faster than I change underwear and socks. What Donny likes this afternoon is tomorrow's Ebay sale of the week. Of all the entertainers in my immediate area I'm the only one that uses a headset mic. All my audiences think I have a wonderful voice, but what the Hell, they're all older than you and I so they've probably lost some hearing acuity. About 5 years ago, there were a half-dozen locals using headset mics, but most have either retired, or have passed away.
I don't expect, or even want everyone to agree with my assessment of mics and singing techniques. I only offer my opinions and experiences as another point of view from my perspective as an OMB entertainer who has a modicum of experience with a wide diversity of audiences and equipment. I sincerely believe that everyone should try new and different techniques, even some that may sound unorthodox if they think it will make them sound better. Not often, but once in a while, something comes along that may change your way of thinking.
Cheers,
Gary
Tony, if you and Lydia get back to this neck of the woods I can still cook a mean filet mignon--even in the dead of winter.
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