Me chatting and testing my “new voice” in hemlock-and-hardwood forest in Shindagin Hollow, near Brooktondale, New York. 9:00am, 1 October 2016.
Click Here for direct link to MP3.
This morning, I officially welcomed my “new voice” into my life. This came after months of waiting for my voice to return to normal, an exercise in frustration and pain.
For those who don’t know the story, I came down with throat cancer in early 2015 and subsequently had an operation followed by radiation. The treatment was successful, but my voice was damaged in the process, mostly due to the radiation. While my voice has revived somewhat, it is lower in pitch and more raspy than before, and my singing voice has been pretty much destroyed. Bummer for sure, but what the heck … the situation could certainly be worse!
So today I went to Shindagin Hollow (one of my favorite recording locations) to do a little chatting in the forest, with drip from light rain in the background. My purpose was to nurture a sense of comfort with my new voice, rather than struggling with it and wanting it to be different than it is. Thankfully, my chatting session was a success. In my own estimation, I think I sound pretty good, considering, and quite good enough to continue with my plans to do a lot of podcasting in the months to come.
So now it’s official … I hereby welcome my new voice into my life and agree to support and nurture it as best I can! A cause for celebration?
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lovely to be invited in to share your connection to the wildlife in one of your favourite spots. From my perspective I think your ‘new ‘voice sounds warm and welcoming….no worries there…..
I just this afternoon found your site. Purely delightful! I am certain that I will be visiting you often and ordering CD’s. Peaceful, calming, soothing. Thank you for the work you do. Your voice is great! Peace be with you!
Thank you Karen and Pete. Hope you like my CDs!
I know this is almost a month late but I wanted to chime in and pass along a cheerful welcome to your new voice. I think it sounds wonderful. Congratulations! Sending prayers of wellness and healing. It’s always such a pleasure to listen to your lovely recordings of the natural world. Thank you for bringing them to our ears!
Thank you Susan. As I’ve said several times below, I’m getting more and more used to my “new voice,” which seems to be working fine for my podcasting experiments. Nearly everyone thinks I sound pretty good … warm and natural … which is very good news!
Congrats, Lang, and greetings from Sweden.
Klas! How are things? I’m still using my Telinga, quite a lot as of late.
I don’t think I’ve ever heard your original voice. This one is wonderfully rich. I look forward to hearing more of it.
Thank you Elva!
Glad you have recovered, and your voice sounds very comfortable and comforting, not at all intrusive over the sounds of nature. So glad you are able to continue your work as so many of us enjoy it, especially those of us surrounded by the sounds of “civilization” more than we care to be.
Thank your Marilee! I’m getting more and more comfortable with my “new voice”. In many ways, it perhaps sounds even better than my old voice, especially at it concerns narrating podcasts.
<3
Shindagin Hollow sounds like a wonderful place, with many of my favorite bird sounds – the thrushes and ovenbird! I didn’t know that chipmunks made that sound as a warning of aerial predators. I hear it often and will have to pay closer attention! Your voice sounds great, and not “rough” to me at all, just lower.
Love your “new” voice. Rich, soothing baritone. I have several of your cassettes from 20 years ago and wondered why the change. We’re thankful you’re better.
I too have enjoyed hiking into wild areas and camping overnight with the sole reason to experience the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of nature. Been doing it for over 30 years. Tried recording years ago on an old cassette recorder. But your recording efforts are OUTSTANDING and love your commentary on whatever you feel like saying. We feel like we’re right there with you! Looking forward to the podacasts. John J.
New voice is wonderful, yes, celebrate! Love hearing about Shindagin Hollow.
Lang, this is just great! You sound so warm and welcoming; to my ears, the sound quality of your voice enhances that. You have definitely given us all a good opportunity to welcome your new voice, which is just right for serving the natural world. Thank you!
: >)
Lang, had you never mentioned your voice change I would have no idea that it is anything other than your former pre-medical misadventure voice. I find the softness and lower register soothing and I mean that literally … you could record audio books for insomniacs and save people from the harmful effects of pharmaceutical sleep aids. Change is part of life, even when it pops up in unplanned ways … enjoy the adventure of novelty and maybe try some tunes you did not sing before because they may just work sweetly in your new sound. Accept the present, it is… Read more »
Thank you Sharon … I think I sound pretty good. Maybe my voice has actually changed for the better, at least in terms of narrating podcasts. Singing is a different matter, though maybe I should try some contemporary Leonard Cohen pieces? Ha!