I hate to burst everyone's bubble but if you sit down with all his cd's and listen,I mean really listen to his vocal range and tonal quality there is NO DOUBT that Chris Isaak is the 20th centuries best male singer!As a matter of fact there is only one other male singer in musical history to better him & that was Elvis! |
David Bowie, if intensity & diversity of styles are the criteria used to judge the "best". He's in the same league with Freddie Mercury. |
Rob Halford, then its the King (Diamond of course), then Bruce Dickinson. Or reverse the order of the second two. Clearly the top three.
Thanks,
Chris |
Freddie is my favorite but the list offers quality choices |
Sinatra, by far but a close second- Van Morrison, Jim Croce, and Sting. |
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We're all responding to this topic for an important reason. We are audiophiles and we love music. I don't think it's cool to knock anyones' favorites, so don't look for slags here. To overlook Pavarotti would be a crime. One listen to "Nessun Dorma", and you know why people go nuts. If you don't respond to that, you simply don't have a pulse and should call your local coroner. I love McCartney. The man has been responsible for some of the most exciting moments in Rock history. You can go back a little further to the early 50's......there's this guy by the name of Elvis something or other......some people called him the King. I haven't even started with the great Motown singers. Was anyone cooler than James Brown? You get my point by now I'm sure. There is just simply too many. If I were stranded on the proverbial island, I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't hear the late, great Pete Ham of Badfinger singing some of the purest, sweetest pop songs ever written. |
Merle Haggard. I ignored this thread thinking it was all about opera types. Sam Cooke as someone says above had the best voice and comes in second in my book. Merle Haggard. |
Robert Gordon, check out Fresh Fish Special |
Chet Baker - Tom Waits - nuff said uh-huh |
Mario Del Monaco, Nat King Cole, Sinatra, Belafonte, Ray Charles, Roy Orbison |
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Sam Cooke had the best voice. |
Jayboard, I stand appended, as it were. Randy Travis, Waylon Jennings and countless other C & W artists can lay claim to awesome voices - it is hard to fake it in C & W without the pipes. Note: Dylan's vocal work on Nashville Skyline/Blood On The Tracks or Desire show off a voice better than you would guess otherwise. |
So many... but a few of my favorites: Harry Connick, Jr., Buddy Holly, Pavarotti, Sinatra, Jim Reeves, Jim Nabors, and Johnny Mathis |
I wandered into the C&W room after everyone had already left. In terms of white popular music (apologies to Charlie Pride, etc., for the generalization), that's where real vocal talent is cultivated, IMO. Some male singers with amazing chops were mentioned in the C&W thread. You don't have to have a very good voice to make it in rock (altho there are plenty of good voices)-- I'm with those who think it's more about attitude. I'm not knocking it; I listen to a heck of a lot more rock than country. They are just two very different approaches, either one of which can communicate feeling and emotion. To me, Springsteen is one of the great male rock vocalists. He's got some chops, but he's not on the same level as someone like Merle Haggard. Doesn't mean I enjoy him any less. |
While jazz,opera, blues have been adequately covered here, I beg to differ with those who feel that rock means you don't have a voice. Au contraire. and folk has some great pipes as well.
I have heard Marty Balin of Jefferson Starship and Gordon Lightfoot up close and in person, and they were incredible.
(And yes, I love all genres and have a good basis for comparison.) And let's not forget the great voices of Broadway, like Larry Kert(the original Tony in West Side Story, or Gordon McRae(Carousel) or Jerry Orbach(Carnival).
Of these Mcrae was the strongest voice, actually holding his own with Shirley Jones in her prime. Oh, yeah, back to rock- how about Jon Anderson of Yes or Sting? Or Bob Weir's
vocal magic for the Dead or later Ace? (Jerry being better instrumentally). Jackson Browne has a quality voice,
as does Greg Lake, John Mellencamp, and let's not forget one of the best set of lungs out there - the Boss.
Marvin Gaye had one of my all time favorite sounds, as does
Al Green(for a crooner.) Peabo Bryson and James Ingram have
major chords.
As a classically trained pianist, guitarist, etc. I still think almost any genre has some great singers in it.
Sure, there are about 20 on my Lengendary Opera Tenors CD,
but Iglesias(the father not the son) doesn't exactly suck . |
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Kevziek, I grew up in a house that had a Steinway in almost constant use and we were all conservatory trained on that and other instruments so our tastes are similar. And in terms of classical, you are right. On that basis, I would vote for Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. However, I would rather hear Nat King Cole than Sinatra so Nat must be the best, Rod Stewart and that guy from Led Zeppelin are derivative of Sam Cooke so ... Taj Mahal is my favorite blues man, there's another vote, Roy Orbison has a nice voice as does Justin Hayward, Steve Windwood,(oops, Windwood is derivative of Ray Charles) Jim Morrison "Riders on the Storm" is good music, and of course, Jimi singing "All Along the Watchtower". So who's right? Answer, everyone, music is about emotion. |
What's the best food??? Well it depends on your mood/hunger doesn't it? Sometimes you want a nice big juicy steak to sink your teeth into, at other times a sweet sugary desert. What's best is what satisfies your hunger at the time. I prefer to believe I have an educated palate. For "standards". I'll take Sinatra of the 40's and 50's. He sings every song like he's livin' it. Like he's singing the song for the first time. As though he where speaking his thoughts/feelings not interperting someone elses words. Johnny Hartman with John Coltrane is so smooth. Armstrong sings like he plays his horn. Out of this world! Pavarotti in the 70's. Heavy metal in tights! Does Hank Williams count? Maybe he should be listed under one of the best songwriters of the 20th century along with Dylan, the Gershwins. Anyway these on my menu for now. Howie |
My, my, the fur is flying once again. Why is it that no one can handle any criticism of their choices? If you believe so strongly in them, you shouldn't be so bothered. I won't even attempt to name any names, but I must say that as a professional musician with training and degrees in classical, popular, jazz, as a pop vocalist and pianist, and as a former Chicago Symphony Chorus singer, I think my discernment of musical art is at a higher level than the average person. This is not conceited -- a certified auto mechanic is much more qualified to judge the quality of the mechanics of an engine then the guy next door is. I have made music my life. I am appalled at some of the choices people have made in this thread, but I see it all the time and hear it when I turn on the radio and am subjected to noise trash like rap & other ilk. It is a sad commentary on our culture that such garbage exists. The peasants of Italy in Verdi's time hummed opera arias & neopolitan songs and went to the opera house. They knew what beautiful melodies and phrases were. The simple Britney Spears, et al dreck that is the same regurgitated prefab trash that kids (& adults!) consume is not music. I can analyze its harmonic & melodic content in less than a minute, since it is so simple and devoid of any redeeming musical value. Since others go on their soapboxes, so will I. Some of the criticisms of choices for best male singers are warranted. They simply are not, in any objective MUSICAL sense. |
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I,m quite surprised that the 20th cent. singer I,ve picked is not mentioned on this survey. First, I never realised how sublimely superior this singer was, partly because I was first n foremost a country rock, big sound instrumental music fan. Then,one day I was killing time in one of these used c.d shops and I happened to find a copy of " Nat K. Coles After midnight session" "What the heck. for five bucks if it stinks I"ll toss it or give it to my sis" So, check this out. I get up to my country house,activate my modest little sys. A van alstine amp, dac, rotel c.d. and a pair of modified Avids, I put the c.d. in sit on the couch and its all over. By the end of trk one I,m messmerized, by trk 8 I,m in some kind of catatonic trance , And by the 16th no. I still haven,t moved an inch. Every, I mean Every song was great. Forget Sinatra, please The maidens of muse would resign if one suggested these two were in the same league. Nat Coles voice is an in credible instrument, his Phrasing and control are unbelieveble . Nats voice also has this smooth roll off which is so flat that it sounds effortless. Still, every intricate layer of jazz vocal was there ; beautiful but never boring and transmuting its self into an instrument of nuance. One thing he does that demon. his control vocalizations I can only describe in terms of sking. He'll bring bank and turn dip and tuck and finally seem to come out of the musical glade to a juction drop where he holds on to his note , almost suspended in time n space while he decides which way he,ll take the tune great stuff. Oh, and by the way, his piano playing kicks ass. It gets worse by this point two full plays I,m having a complete auditory break down because Ive just read the c.d jacket. It seems that this album was a sort of breaking in project for the new Capital or Rca equipped studio. The same equip that left artist like elvis pres. sounding so,so. Finally, I discerned the incredible essence of this work.The essemblage of muscians that accompany Nat Cole reads like an all time ,allstar baseball team. These guys were among the greatest musicians of their time. They played w Elington ,Dorsey, on andon. pioneers and the best at their crafts. In leaving I must say that what makes this album evidence of the best male singer also capitulates it as the best album is the fact that this was informal and impromptu just for fun. Little wonder that Nat King Cole ,his trio, and a few guest stars are able not only to convey notes,but also a sense of love, kindness and generosity in this magnificent piece of art. |
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Jussi Bjoerling, sans dout. |
Another vote here for Raul Malo. Most of his great songs with the Mavericks are on their greatest hits CD "Super Colossal Smash Hits Of The 90's" but two others are on compilation CD's "True Love Ways" from the "Not Fade Away" Buddy Holly tribute and "Hot Burrito #1" from the "Return of the Grievous Angel" Gram Parsons tribute. |
Freddie Mercury of Queen was without a doubt the best male vocalist. Range, talent and an entertainer without peer. |
Michael Stipe?? Is this the "Best Whiners" thread?? Rod Stewart??? What makes these guys think they're soul singers?? Who's next?? Michael Bolton?? Rob and Fab are supremely talented compared to him!! My votes go to Sam Cooke (Mr. SMOOTH); the INCOMPARABLE Jackie Wilson (He really could sing anything!! Even cut an album of Al Jolson tunes!!) And my all time fave- Rudy West of the 5 Keys. Now those guys could sing !! Can't believe nobody listed Jackie Wilson unless I missed it. |
Freddy Mercury from Queen. Excellent! Coreographer, stage presents, range of voice and enthusiasm projected. Enveloping a concert within his creativte grasp and then... BAM! making you part of it. It don't get any better than that. Anyone missing queen in their prime has truly been deprived of their wounderous concerts. A true rock and roll band for the people, and concert goer. My Rock & Roll Opinion!!! |
Don't forget Cat Stevens, Boz Scaggs, and Brian Setzer. In my opinion these three are very talented. |
Two of my favorite male voices are Nat King Cole And Shawn Phillips (Second Contribution -1970 ) |
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How about Brendan Perry of Dead Can Dance? |
Definitely IMO the prophet Edward Kaspel from The Legendary Pink Dots. Has anyone here ever heard him? |
Oh, by the way... this thread asked for opinions. Connick Jr. was MY opinion, so it surely does belong in this thread. Again, that's just my opinion. Was that repetitive? |
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L E T ' S N O T F O R G E T ****ROY ORBISON***** F.B.I.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
Great post Rayhall. You really have a nice system, and BTW, I also have Vandersteen 3A sig. speakers-- so we both have good taste (at least in speakers). You certainly have have had a rich and varied life both in and around music, and I can understand now how you could be so genuinely knowledgable (to some extent, you were coming across as a pseudo-intellectual in your criticisms). I've played guitars, both acoustic and electric for about 40 years (amateur only), but my experience with music can't compare with yours. I also think you took the title of these threads much more literally than I did, eg I took them as 'favorites', and thus the clash(s). Please don't take this as an apology-- just some observations. Cheers. Craig |
Here's a name to illustrate a point about what it takes to be a great singer: Joe Cocker. No one is ever going to label him technically superior, and many might say they don't like the sound his vocal chords make. But talk about somebody who can get into a song and remake it in his own style! Think of all the remakes he's done that have improved upon the original: "With a Little Help From My Friends," "Feelin' Alright," "She Came In Through the Bathroom Window," "Delta Lady," "The Letter." He's taken his limited range (and even more limited stage posturing) and overcome it with sheer feeling and musicality, filtered through an interpretation that can't be mistaken for anybody else. |
Hey Jousjane, Never meant to indicate my opinions are any better than anyone else's. They are just mine... |
Everybodys opinons are their own and should be respected as such. Just explain your differences (likes and dislikes)... and move on my little grasshopper. Yours is not the final, nor the definetive, but, ain't it cool! |
OK Craig, CAT SL-1 Ultimate, PASS Aleph 4, Vandersteen 3A Signature. My father, (same name as me) is a fairly well-known retired recording engineer who recorded a few of the people on this thread. A small sample of the artists he personally recorded were Louis Armstrong, Harry Belafonte, Mario Lanza, Duke Ellington, Perry Como, Sam Cooke, Bill Evans (the pianist), Jascha Heiffetz, Nina Simone, Sonny Rollins, Neil Sedaka, Isley Bros, The Main Ingredient, Harry Nillson, Ricky Nelson, John Denver, the Monkees and Evelyn Champagne King. That covers a lot of years and a lot of musical territory. I only say this to let you know that I have grown up with music all my life. All types: good music as well as bad music. I played the tenor sax for years. I had a well known jazz sax player as a music teacher for a while. I don't think anything I said concerning any of your picks was bordering on personal. Why do you presume to know anything about me? And why is it that you repeatedly attack me only to apologize a couple of days later. Now your doing it even when I respectfully try to register my disagreement with other people's selections. Really, it's beginning to make me wonder about you. I don't mind or care about whomever you think was the greatest singer of all time. If anything I have said previously leads you to feel that I begrudge you your right to choose anyone you want as the greatest singer of all time, I am terribly sorry. But if yours' and everyone else's selections must remain unchallenged, whether they be challenged respectfully, or in jest, simply because these are YOUR rules, I've got a big problem with that. |
Thanks Garfish, I do enjoy Connick Jr. and will continue to, even if I was the only one who thinks he can sing. That's what living in the good ole' U. S. of A. is all about. Hey, one of the reasons I love this site are the opinions and responses. I don't take anything personal, all of our different views are what makes us all who we are, no matter how wrong everyone else is... Ha! Garfish, keep on enjoying Fogerty, CCR kicks butt. I also like Fogerty and CCR, and even enjoy his Centerfield album. |
.......Rayhall probably does his serious listening on a $89.00 boom box while you and I have excellent taste in both music and equipment. Cheers again. Craig |
Hi Joysjane; Hey-- don't let the guys with the buckets of cold water ruin your enjoyment of Harry Connick Jr.. It's the music and the way it affects YOU that is really important. Rayhall roasted my choices of Diana Krall and John Fogerty (CCR) as great singers, so you're not alone. Michael-- glad to see that someone else thinks John Fogerty is "great". And yes, context is important. Enjoy the music you enjoy Joysjane. Cheers. Craig |
Ouch! Actually I think Connick Jr. sings more in a jazz style. But no doubt the voice sounds like an immitation of Sinatra. Maybe that's why I like his voice. |
Glad for the reinforcement on bashing Connick. I had the misfortune of watching this guy on TV last New Year's Eve while trying to find any news about the Y2K potential meltdown. He did "Cry Me A River" and I'm here to tell you, I was shocked at how bad he was. Totally banal and flat-footed. No feeling. All pretense. It's like he had no idea what he was singing about. To give you an idea how bad he was, my next stop in channel flipping brought me to Barry Manilow and I actually thought WELL of Barry. He had energy, power, control and projection. The material might have been dreadful, but Barry believed in it and put it across. As others have noted, a great singer has to convey the feeling of the song. |
Rayhall - very interesting comments. From what little I've read, Sinatra was gracious and kind to Connick. I heard the 1st time Connick performed in front of the Chairman, he totally choked, clammed the song and had to start over again, having humiliated himself in front of his Idol and Demigod. Sinatra apparently was encouraging and gentle...perhaps the way one is with inept children. Now, don't all nuke me...I'm certainly not implying Connick is either inept or immature. But I would acknowledge there is much truth in Rayhall's observation about disparity between the accolade "best" and a blatantly derivative artist. BTW, I'm going to tell the Chairman (via the 800-psychic hotline) that you're placing Nat in front of him and he may send Jimmy Hoffa after you... |
I could get pretty crazy about a Harry Connick Jr. pick, but I don't want to offend anyone. I don't think Sinatra was the absolute best. Among crooners, I would pick Billy Eckstine and Nat King Cole over Sinatra. But at least noone can say Sinatra wasn't unique. He had a style, a way of presenting a song which was all his own and one that he perfected over the span of his career. "Derivative" is the perfect way to describe Harry Connick Jr. as a singer. Here is another guy who is an excellent musician, great pianist, but as a singer? Could he try to sound any more like Sinatra? IMHO, you can't be considered the best, or one of the best, when you walk in someone else's very large footsteps. I often wondered what Sinatra thought of him. If I were Sinatra and probably beyond the end of my very long and esteemed career when this guy came along, I would be angry and bitter! This is all just my opinion, so don't yell at me. |
I was speaking of male singing voice, not material, or attitude of those individuals. I still think Connick Jr. has a great voice. If we want to speak of total package; attitude, material, and voice, then I will have to re-submit my list. |
