Tom Waits - i could go on and on why i think he's the one but i'm too tired to keep typing. |
Kubla, Dekay, remember "Nighthawks @ the diner, Emma's 49er, a RdV of strangers..."?
T. Waits when I was still young(er)...
Cheers! |
Meatloaf listen to"Bat out of hell" |
Jusi Boerling (sp) a great tenor. |
Only able to comment rock, but obviously people need to listen to Glenn Hughes. How can you compare without hearing? Of course this is all subjective isn't it?? |
I am truly happy to see that people appreciate Gino Vannelli. I have been following his career and enjoying his incredible music and talent for 27 years! |
Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Mel Torme, Sammy Davis JR., Louis Armstrong. Freddy Mercury, Burton Cummings, Ian Gillian, Mario Lanza, Gordon, Macrae |
Mario Lanza! I picked up the soundtrack from "Caruso" recently and forgot to give it a play. Thanks for reminding me. |
In no particular order:
Mercury
Kaylan & Volman
Orbison
Nilsson |
Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, Mel Torme, Johnny Hartman, Chet Baker, Jack Teagarden, Sammy Davis Jr., Elvis Preseley, Mick Jagger. |
Jim Reeves has the best voice I've ever heard. Smooth as
silk. Anybody else familiar with his recordings? |
The problem with this post is that it is too broad. Like what's the best book of the 20th century. Classical and operatic singers have a decibel level due to singing without mikes that no popular singer can match. That said my vote goes to Sinatra (his phrasing and way with a lyric was far more impressive than his voice) in the pop realm. In the classical world, Jussi Bjoerling, no contest! Voice rang like a silver bell, had enough growl to do verismo opera, understood phrasing and language like no other. If you want proof get hold of the Seraphim copy of Pagliacci (with Warren, De Los Angeles and the young Robert Merrill) in mono. |
Captain Beefheart had that 7+ octave vocal range. Howlin wolf and screaming jay hawkins can definately test a system as well. Most of the popular guys like sinatra/neil diamond/bing crosby/ really don't have a big vocal range, they just sing in 1 octave and hit the notes beautifully which helps their popularity. |
Sam Cooke.Sang from his heart.Beautiful voice! |
Don't know how I wandered into a "best" thread, ah me. As the wide range of opinions flood in, it's obvious there are many criterion to go by. I never would have thought of Jim Reeves, but he definately had a sonorous voice, further underscoring just how subjective this "best" thing is. The best Van Morrison is a very moving listen.
I saw the film ELIZABETH the other day. It struck me that as important as most of those historical figures were to their own times, it would shock them all to know (save Elizabeth herself) that 400 years hence they've been largely forgotten, with most of their trials, tribulations, as well as accomplishments, relegated, at best, to the historical trivia bin, and dwarfed, DWARFED, by a writer (a writer??) breathing the same 1600 air as they, yet most of them probably never even heard of him: William Shakespeare.
It's hard to predict who will survive the 20th century as a household name in the 23rd century. Not many, that's for certain. And probably few of them could be accurately predicted here. Maybe even Hank Williams! (sorry for the "even," Hank, you know I know how great you were) I tell you, with the miniscule hindsight of just 30 years, it's hard to imagine the Beatles not bestriding the 20th Century like a colossus--rarely has art and popular acceptance converged as it did during that 7 year recording span. And, McCartney, if you want to be technical, had a great (and evocative) range.
On the other hand, in terms of influence, a defining of the times, just sheer name-that-voice-in-5-seconds, as well as that special something, you can't ignore Elvis Presley in this "greatest male singer of the 20th century." Somehow I think this tag goes beyond simple octaves. In fact, though I haven't read a lot of this thread, those posts I have read, in not mentioning him, struck me as taking pains NOT TO, as certainly every man-on-the-street interview we'd like to conduct would invariably offer up Elvis in seconds. |
Best? Ow! How about most effective?
Muddy Waters
John Lennon
Howlin Wolf
Sam Cooke
Robert Johnson |
Al Green. I think he is definitely one of the best male singers. |
On the rock side of things, I would say David Sylvian, David Bowie, and Bryan Ferry (all of whom were missed by those above).
On Jazz and standards, the above posts got all the greats. |
Tony Williams, lead singer of the Platters |
Come on now! Can one REALLY be considered the BEST singer, or guitarist, or pianist or whatever. It's all a matter of personal taste, but how can one say Sinatra is better than Benett or Whitney is better than Aretha, or Clapton is better than Beck, THEY ALL KICK BUTT! Each is a master at their craft and I apprecite every olne of them, and more. |
As far as "crooners" go, I would say Tony Bennett. R&B/Soul, Marvin Gaye without a doubt. In rock I would give it to Freddie Mercury. If I had to choose one, it would be Freddie. The guy was on another level IMO. |
One of the best performances, believe it or not, is NIRVANA "Unplugged". Kurt's delivery and emotion is increadible. The sonics of the recording are also excellent! |
Bob Dylan 'cause he can hold his breath the longest. Well he said it not me.
Well seriously, depends on what you are looking for, voices have different qualities, singers change with age (and addictions I guess...) the best singer soul for soul, Otis Redding, neatest package (phrasing, musicality, zest), Frank Sinatra, the best blues voice, Muddy Waters, best tone, Brook Benton, most interesting timbre, Nat King Cole, Johnny Mathis, Al Hibbler, and the list goes on. Geez! I guess I'm off the topic again, we were playing "best of", oh well seems I don't like that game anyway. |
Fredy Mercury(Queen)!!! I don't have any time to read but I never stop listening him. You old folks are still back in 50's but evolution still goes on and on and there are more and more... |
let it rest jokers. sinatra is forever. everyone else is just trying for the moment.
(however, i don't think sinatra would've been sinatra were it not for nelson riddle). |
Sorry, forgot, the best is K. D. Lang. |
brendan perry of dead can dance |
Morten Harket and Chet Baker, respectively. I swear there is no voice better than Morten's. He's the lead singer for A-Ha. Yes, that stupid pop band, but his solo album is the best. Sad to say, he's gotten old, and so has his voice. But at his best, late 80's and early 90's, NO ONE has both better highs and lows than Morten. His first album is Hunting High and Low...
Etane |
Chet Baker? Are we talking about the same Chet Baker? I feel sad every time I hear him. Good, but not a great singer, and not a great trumpeter either. Interesting to listen to, I admit. Had something to offer, yes. Greatness, though, is something else. Regards. |
Anyone heard Chris Rea?
Well, if you wanna try, play it when you're alone with your woman... |
this list could go on forever. i love freddy mercury as well, awsome talent, but the three greatest vocalist ever are pavoratti, sinatra and elvis. i love louis armstrong ,nat king cole ,harry connick ,domingo, elton john as well but the three i picked changed music unlike anyone else ever,and their talents were and are far and above anyone else. |
Tony Bennet, Sting, Willie Nelson, Weird Al Yankovic... |
SINATRA! nothing else to say |
South of the border singing greats:
1) Carlos Gardel
2) Vicente Fernández
3) Felipe RodrÃÂguez
4) Pablo Milanés
5) Gilberto Monroig
6) Danny Rivera
7) Hector Lavoe |
Kenny Rankin is exceptional.
Many great singers have been mentioned, but Kenny Rankin is one of the most talented and innovative. He truly uses his voice as an instrument as any great jazz player would. |
Just looked up Kenny Rankin in the All Music Guide to Jazz. Thanks, I had never heard of him. A short quote from that book: "Kenny Rankin sings like Chet Baker would have if Baker had a voice." So I killed two birds with one stone: (1) found out the existence of Rankin ("Professional Dreamer" on Private Music as five diamonds, could be one man's opinion, but now I have two favourable ones , so I'll probably buy the album and check him out myself), and (2) somebody else agrees with me that Baker had no voice. Rather strange since someone up there in the thread chose him as the "Best". Conclusion, degustibus non disputandem and you can be the best singer and yet have no singing voice. |
Its difficult to go against frank Sinatra for diction and use of a lyric but the orchestrations often beat the life out him, another good shot is Vic Damone who Sinatra always rated highly. |
HE IS MY NUMBER ONE CHOICE |
~~~~The late great Mr. Belchen A. Hicupburper was one of my favorite mail singers! He sang while he delivered letters in my old neighborhood. |
I wasn't around for a lot of these guys.
OF the music I listen to - ( obviously limited as I am lost with some of the suggestions )
Kenny Loggins
Steve Winwood
Freddie Mercury |
Tom Waits.
Chet Baker.
David Bowie - the best all round singer, performer and innovator
Nick Drake - do yourself a favor and listen to him
Leonard Cohen - spooky spooky spooky
Elvis Costello - his voice is just amazing, and his lyrics ain't bad |
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Maynard james Keenan, Peter Steele, Robert plant. |
Robert Halford, there I said it! |
Ah, what a travesty to have such a superb list grow without the inclusion of the sublime Luther Vandross. I know many of the contributors regard soul/rb as hardly worthy of mention but the cannon of work by this artist demands inclusion. I defy anyone to listen to "Here and Now" and not feel the tingle of emotion that occurs when a song is delivered just right. I also humbly offer for inclusion in this diverse list Mighty Sam McClain, Johnny Hartman, Kevin Mahogany, Mr. Five by Five (Jimmy Rushing) and of course the version of Al Jarreau who delivered the exquisite live set "Look to the Rainbow". |
Phil Ochs needs to be mentioned. |
As well as Beny More, Pio Leyva and Miguel Matamoros.
KP |
If you are asking about the best male vocals....no doubt and hands down it is Roy Orbison (many very good singers gave him that distinction when he was alive), Elvis next, and Nat king Cole last... People who aren't into rock I'm sure won't agree but I listen to everything except rap and those three certainly have to be the best....If you should think otherwise, try putting your singers best vocal on and then listen to Roy Orbison's "End Dreams". If you think your singer's vocal is better please E-mail me the song title and I'll buy it....(yes I'm a big opera fan also) |
1. Bing Crosby (most influential)
2. Johnny Hartman (my personal fave)
3. Tom Waits (he can't write a song to save his life, but boy can he sing!) |
1. Captain Beefheart (twice the range and twice the emotion of Tom Waits)
2. Dean Martin (twice the cool and twice the honesty of Frankie)
3. Jackie Gleeson (can make statues cry, that fat guy could sing)
Sinatra forever? I suppose so, but so is death. |
