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Singers of the 20's, as in previous decades, learned to sing with big,
loud sounds because of the need to project their voices without the aid of
microphones. That and the invention of the phonograph did little to
change the singing style. The sound that is projected on records, in
nearly all cases, comes across as being pushed almost to the limit. The
technology would need at least a decade before vocalists would be able to
record with an intimate, soft quality.
Vocalists of the 20's tend to be categorized. Blues singers sang the
blues and little else. Song stylists might perform with a bluesy quality,
but were not reguarded as blues singers. Gospel and sacred music singers
were looked down upon if they performed "secular" music. Once a singer
had established her/himself in a particular category, it was difficult to
gain recognition in another category without having to lose the audience
already established.
Ethel
Waters, for example, began her career as a blues singer, but soon
crossed-over to become a successful vaudeville and Broadway show vocalist
as well as motion picture actress. Once she became known for her new
roles, people, black and white, lost track of her excellent blues
background for the remainder of her career.