Singer with the best vocals?

[Melaszka]

In fairness, even in pop, I'm not sure why a band or a record label would choose to hire a singer who can't sing. I know there are cases of nepotism (like the Australian band you mentioned, Hysteria), celebs from other fields who decide they want to play at being a pop star (e.g. Paris Hilton), or "singers" who are hired for their looks/image, rather than their voice (you're probably all far too young to remember Milli Vanilli, a "band" of French (?) male models, who turned out not to be singing on their records at all!). On the whole, though, there are so many aspiring pop stars out there for labels to choose from, that if their main aim is to sign someone sexy, it's still probably far easier to sign a sexy person who can sing than to sign one who can't (and then have to use a raft of technological treatments to make it sound like they can). But maybe I'm just being incredibly naive here?

I would agree, though, that being able to cut it in live performance is a more essential requirement in rock than pop, so there are fewer places for bad singers to hide.

Also, some genres (e.g. punk and, to an extent, folk) require vocalists who are not "good" singers in the traditional or mainstream sense. So I totally agree, Hysteria, that the "best" vocals becomes a meaningless concept when you're comparing one genre to another.

[Yoana]

Originally Posted by lcbaseball22

Maybe it's just a preference, but I believe girls in general are better singers. They have sweeter, softer, sexier, etc voices.

Yes, for men. Women listen to music too though.

I like Martin Gore's (of Depeche Mode) vibrato immensely. I love Bjork's vocals, because they're amazingly imaginative and non-conventional, it's an exciting experience listening to her.

[lcbaseball22]

Originally Posted by Yoana

Yes, for men. Women listen to music too though.

Of course. But that's not what I meant.

Though ironically every guy I know is reluctant to admit he listens to female artists and wouldn't be caught dead singing a woman's song.

I don't get it. Perhaps it's cause the majority of songs by female artists are about men and so guys think it makes them seem gay.

Personally I have no problem singing songs such as "Man, I Feel Like a Woman" by Shania Twain or "She's In Love with the Boy" by Trisha Yearwood They're great songs I dunno, It's hard to say, but it's unbelievable how insecure guys are about their sexuality and all


Oh, so I looked through my iPod and came up with some more male vocalists...some personal favs:

Darius Rucker (lead singer of Hootie and the Blowfish)
John Rzeznik (lead singer of Goo Goo Dolls)
Cody Collins (lead singer of Lonestar)

[Hysteria]

Originally Posted by Melaszka

In fairness, even in pop, I'm not sure why a band or a record label would choose to hire a singer who can't sing. I know there are cases of nepotism (like the Australian band you mentioned, Hysteria), celebs from other fields who decide they want to play at being a pop star (e.g. Paris Hilton), or "singers" who are hired for their looks/image, rather than their voice (you're probably all far too young to remember Milli Vanilli, a "band" of French (?) male models, who turned out not to be singing on their records at all!). On the whole, though, there are so many aspiring pop stars out there for labels to choose from, that if their main aim is to sign someone sexy, it's still probably far easier to sign a sexy person who can sing than to sign one who can't (and then have to use a raft of technological treatments to make it sound like they can). But maybe I'm just being incredibly naive here?

I would agree, though, that being able to cut it in live performance is a more essential requirement in rock than pop, so there are fewer places for bad singers to hide.

Also, some genres (e.g. punk and, to an extent, folk) require vocalists who are not "good" singers in the traditional or mainstream sense. So I totally agree, Hysteria, that the "best" vocals becomes a meaningless concept when you're comparing one genre to another.

That's pretty much what I was trying (and failing) to say. I'm not really trying to put down pop music, but it's unfair to compare singing abilities/styles across genres because, like you said, different genres want different things. A mainstream pop singer wouldn't work singing in a metal band just like a metal singer probably wouldn't be so good at rnb.

But I stand by my point that there are many pop singers (and probably in other genres, I only really get exposure to pop thanks to my sister) who just cannot sing at all, and get by on computer manipulation and you only really find this out if you have the misfortune of hearing them sing live.

lcbaseball22
Though ironically every guy I know is reluctant to admit he listens to female artists and wouldn't be caught dead singing a woman's song.

I think that too depends on genre. There are a few great metal bands with female singers (Arch Enemy, Lacuna Coil etc) and most of their following are male. I'm not a fan of labeling music, but when it comes to fans and vocals, genre is very relevant.

[Melaszka]

Originally Posted by Hysteria

That's pretty much what I was trying (and failing) to say.

No, you didn't fail to say it - I got your point (which is why I said "I totally agree, Hysteria")

Anyway, I've just remembered, I haven't yet said who my favourite singers are (only ones I think are technically good). Strangely enough, my absolute favourite singers tend to be blokes and none of them are probably "good" singers in any empirical sense.

My number one favourite is David Sylvian:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0Q7N...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h-OgYyE0AA

I used to absolutely hate his voice 30 years ago, but it's really grown on me (and it has also got technically much better over the years) and, besides which, his voice is now so tied up with the emotions his songs generate in me and the times in my life I associate his music with, I can't be objective about it.

Then there's Jim Irvin and Tim Whelan of Furniture. (Irvin is technically the better singer, but I prefer Whelan's voice)
Irvin:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JeEX...eature=related
Whelan:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXkK39lp-do

OK, I'll shut up and go away now, as I've said far too much on this thread.

[Corvus]

I have no idea who would be the "best" vocalists considering who's, as Hysteria put it, "technically most proficient" because i don't really care about the singers technical ability.

I'll start with metal vocalists:

Corvus
He is a vocalist of the finnish black metal Horna. It might sound pretty horrible for most of you but i absolutely love Corvus' vocals. I love vocalists who sing like their life depended on it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7U4EJOwP38

Wrath
Vocalist of another one of my favourite black metal bands, Enochian Crescent (they are from Finland too). He has a very distinctive singing style, which i enjoy thoroughly. Also, an awesome live performer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgDJi1v7UGI (doesn't really do him justice, but the best quality live clip i found)

Albert Witchfinder
Yet another finnish band, this time doom metal though. Really diverse voice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgKSeA8YoZk

Aaand non metal vocalists:

Johnny Cash
Well, everyone knows who Mr. Cash is. One of the coolest voices in the history of mankind. And an awesome man.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zgja26eNeY

Tom Waits
Another one for the category of the coolest voices of mankind (also all-around cool guy)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GugzLSbOQE

Jónsi Birgisson
Singer of Sigur Rós, really varied and beautiful voice

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFOvdSCOfpk

Paula Vesala
Singer of the finnish band PMMP. They have 2 singers but i like Paula's voice more

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7E3jsATXO4 (Paula is the blond haired one)

Reetaleena
Singer of the band Husky Rescue. Has a really beautiful and calming voice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sMSIDOmJos

And now i will stop or i'll be listing my favourite vocalists all night.

[Fawkesfan1]

I got two more to add... Cher and Peter Cetera. They don't have the greatest range in terms of vocalization, but their voices blend well .

Another good one...

Kenny Loggins -- again not the best vocal range wise, but he still has an incredible voice .

[Beatifically]

Freddie Mercury is my favorite. It's amazing that he's so talented at singing but he never had formal vocal lessons. That just makes him seem even greater in my eyes.

Michael Jackson is obviously on the list of the greatest singers of all time. Mariah Carey has a great voice but I'm not the biggest fan of her songs. Ella Fitzgerald is incredibly talented, too.

[CrimsonZephyr]

Hmm, for vocals, I'd have to say Freddie Mercury. His range was fantastic. Robert Plant's second for me, but he doesn't have quite the range that Freddy did.

[KeepItDark]

Peter Gabriel
Phil Collins
Robert Plant, 1973, where I feel he was at the peak in his vocals.
Paul Rodgers
Freddie Mercury (c'mon, who else could sing Killer Queen?)
Jon Anderson
Benoit David
John Wetton
Elvis Presley
Steve Perry
Rod Stewart
Sebastian BachElton John
Don Henley
Stevie Nicks
Jackson Browne
Trevor Horn
Jim Morrison
Roger Daltrey
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Paul Carrack( listen to "The Living Years' by Mike and the Mechanics)
Meat Loaf
Greg Lake
Simon Collins............

I could go on, i swear i could! but, the site would crash. I'll be honest- just one? It's too hard a decision to make.

[CrimsonZephyr]

Originally Posted by KeepItDark

Peter Gabriel
Phil Collins
Robert Plant, 1973, where I feel he was at the peak in his vocals.
Paul Rodgers
Freddie Mercury (c'mon, who else could sing Killer Queen?)
Jon Anderson
Benoit David
John Wetton
Elvis Presley
Steve Perry
Rod Stewart
Sebastian BachElton John
Don Henley
Stevie Nicks
Jackson Browne
Trevor Horn
Jim Morrison
Roger Daltrey
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Paul Carrack( listen to "The Living Years' by Mike and the Mechanics)
Meat Loaf
Greg Lake
Simon Collins............

I could go on, i swear i could! but, the site would crash. I'll be honest- just one? It's too hard a decision to make.

Oh, I'm glad you mentioned Greg Lake and John Wetton. King Crimson's best stuff, in my opinion, was when they were the vocalists (1969-70, and 1973-74 respectively, I think).

[lcbaseball22]

Originally Posted by Beatifically

Freddie Mercury is my favorite. It's amazing that he's so talented at singing but he never had formal vocal lessons. That just makes him seem even greater in my eyes.

Hmm, I don't know who this is...what band?

Originally Posted by Beatifically

Michael Jackson is obviously on the list of the greatest singers of all time. Mariah Carey has a great voice but I'm not the biggest fan of her songs.

Obviously? Err, no...he sounded like a pre-pubescent boy Agree on Mariah Carey, incredible voice but not a fan of her music.

[Hes]

Originally Posted by lcbaseball22

Hmm, I don't know who this is...what band?

Freddie Mercury was the leadsinger of Queen, one of the most succesful 1980s bands.

[lcbaseball22]

Ahh, in that case, I say no to that as well.

I hate Queen, can't stand their sound. And I don't get why everyone seems to love that stupid Bohemian Rhapsody song

[Hysteria]

^ But this is about singer with the best vocals. It's pretty hard to dispute that Freddie Mercury didn't have an amazing voice. What are your reasons for thinking he didn't?

[KeepItDark]

Originally Posted by CrimsonZephyr

Oh, I'm glad you mentioned Greg Lake and John Wetton. King Crimson's best stuff, in my opinion, was when they were the vocalists (1969-70, and 1973-74 respectively, I think).

oh my. i thought i was the only one on this board who liked 'em! its a shock, really.

Originally Posted by lcbaseball22

And I don't get why everyone seems to love that stupid Bohemian Rhapsody song

it's because of waynes world, in the car, when they pop in the tape with the song. i personally do not like that song at all, since it overplayed on the radio here....

[Beatifically]

Originally Posted by lcbaseball22

Obviously? Err, no...he sounded like a pre-pubescent boy

But that's what sets him apart. Not everyone is going to sing in the same pitch or else music would be interesting. What people like about him is that he can go to such high pitches that most men cannot reach.

Originally Posted by lcbaseball22

Ahh, in that case, I say no to that as well.

I hate Queen, can't stand their sound. And I don't get why everyone seems to love that stupid Bohemian Rhapsody song

Freddie Mercury is considered one of the greatest singers of all time. Even if I didn't like Queen, I wouldn't think differently. His talent is unprecedented and, as I said, it's even more astounding given that he had no vocal lessons.

[IMissPadfoot]

Can't argue with Freddie Mercury being one of the best there ever was - I always loved Queen and his voice is amazing.

Annie Lennox is another whose voice astounds me. It's so different and seems to adapt in many ways.

Christina Aguilera's voice is another one I love, again because it seems to do many different things - I think she is incredible.

Male singers I love generally all have a very rough, almost gravelly sound. Jason Wade, Chad Kroeger, and the lead singer of the Kings of Leon whose name has escaped me!

[Melaszka]

Originally Posted by IMissPadfoot

Annie Lennox is another whose voice astounds me. It's so different and seems to adapt in many ways.

I love her voice, too.

I can take Queen or leave them, but I can't dispute that Freddie Mercury was a brilliantly talented singer.

Posted by KeepItDark
Rod Stewart

Definitely not a fan of his records (except maybe some of the early stuff with the Jeff Beck Group), but I once accidentally saw him live and he was gobsmackingly good.

[lcbaseball22]

Well, perhaps I need to listen to a few more Queen songs to be sure, but I think I've heard more than enough of that God awful music for a lifetime and obviously his voice didn't make a good impression. He's just another flamboyant guy with a high voice...not my thing

Then again, there are very few male singers I think are good vocalists and/or that I listen to because they sound good. Well, let me clarify. Guys like Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, etc...I like listening to them because of their unique sound, wouldn't really call them good "vocalists" Another guy I like (though it's mostly women who are crazy about him) is Josh Turner, country singer with a really deep voice