Some favorite vocalists
I wouldn’t put all of these singers on my list of best all-time vocalists, but they’re some voices I’ve been really enjoying lately. My best of all-time would have to be Aretha Franklin. Also up there:
Elizabeth Fraser
Mark Lanegan
Paul Rodgers
KD Lang
Who are some of your faves? Here’s who I’m posting to the radio.blog today:
Calexico - There’s something about the way Joey Burns lets his voice slightly crack that just makes my knees go weak.
Hall and Oates - When’s the last time you gave them a listen? Darryl Hall has a magnificent voice.
KD Lang - I fell in love with her when I saw her perform live on the Grammy’s in the 90’s. I went out and bought her album, Ingenue, the next day. I was able to see her live a few years ago. I couldn’t believe she actually sounded better live than she does in the studio. This is a live song.
Kings of Convenience - Probably not something anyone would think of as great vocals, but I love the subtle harmonies, and the airyness to the singer’s voice. Reminds me a bit of Nick Drake. These guys are two Swedish brothers.
Robin Trower - Actually, Robin’s the guitarist. The singer’s name is James Dewar. I don’t know much about either, but Dewar’s voice is right up there with Paul Rodgers’.
So who would you put on your list of great vocals? Or favorite vocals?
Joan Osborne - sexiest voice on the planet IMO, especially her “Relish” album.
Ann Dyer - weird stuff (metal jazz etc.) and sometimes tries too hard, but she can sing.
Patricia Barber - beautiful voice, does jazz vocals.
Sheryl Crow and Bono are pretty good too IMO.
Louis Armstrong, Paul Simon and Ella Fitzgerald are all really great for phrasing, I really like it when people sing like the words actually mean something.
Comment by markshelby — July 22, 2005 @ 2:37 pm
Hall and Oates was the first band I liked enough to buy almost all their albums. I think most of my friends were snickering at me for purchasing Big Bam Boom! but I thought it was great music.
And every time I hear the song “Sara Smile” I kind of melt. So mushy I know. But it’s such a beautiful song. I remember reading about how Daryl Hall wrote this about a real person. She said she’d go into a department store and hear it and that every single time it was an emotional experience. How I wish I had a talent to write a song like that.
I think if Hall and Oates videos hadn’t been so bad and if their PR hadn’t been so weird, they’d be heralded a lot more for their musical contributions.
Comment by danithew — July 22, 2005 @ 5:45 pm
For me: Women: Annie Lennox, Sara McLaughlin
Guys: Lou Gramm, Barry White, Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole
Classical: Luciano Pavarotti
Comment by chronicler — July 23, 2005 @ 2:51 am
Neil Young. Because he proves that anybody could sing.
Comment by a random John — July 23, 2005 @ 12:44 pm
Annie Lennox
Rufus Wainwright
Nellie McKay
Ian McCullough
Comment by Jeremy — July 23, 2005 @ 5:54 pm
…and John Vickers as Peter Grimes.
Comment by Jeremy — July 23, 2005 @ 5:55 pm
What was I thinking? I left off Freddy Mercury! Especially his whisper. His articulation and ability to pull you in to even the most silly of songs…
Comment by chronicler — July 24, 2005 @ 12:33 pm
Freddie’s in a class of his own. Best front man, ever.
Surprised no one’s mentioned Patsy Cline yet.
I like female vocalists who make it seem effortless, too. Like Tracey Thorn of Everything But The Girl and Alison Krauss.
Comment by Susan M — July 24, 2005 @ 5:59 pm
Alison krauss is my husband’s favorite. i kind of like Tracy Chapman, heard a song by her today and had totally forgotten how good she is.
Comment by chronicler — July 25, 2005 @ 6:30 pm
Al Jarreau
Comment by Jack — July 26, 2005 @ 1:25 pm
OK … I know he’s so mainstream it might not be cool. But I love Billy Joel’s singing on songs like “Baby Grand”, “Souvenir”, “Just the Way You Are” and other similar bluesy piano songs. I’m a total sucker for that kind of music.
Comment by danithew — July 26, 2005 @ 11:00 pm
Great pulls on these songs Susan. I just gave a listen and was surprisingly moved by Sara Smiles… What a great somg and performance! Who knew? I alsways dismissed those guys as pop cheeseballs (though I have vivd memory of a 6th grade sdance andthe song Private eyes…)
Kristen picked up that Kings of Convenience album a few months ago and we have sort of worn it out in the car now. I’m burning out on it now, but you chose the best song on the album. (The latest new band we have is called Carbon Leaf — I am sort of hooked despite rather cheesy lyrics…)
Anyway, as far as great vocalists goes I would suggest that the King of the Hill, A#1, Top of the Heap is…
Frank.
Perhaps some think of Frank Sinatra as mostly a pop singer but the guy had great jazz chops as well. His phrasing is as immaculate as his tone. I only dream of having a singing voice like that guy.
Comment by Geoff J — July 28, 2005 @ 2:13 pm
Elizabeth Fraser is a great pick, Susan. I’d also add Allison Moyet. Not only can she truly sing, but her voice has a clarity and crispness to it that’s nice.
I also have to admit that I really like Fiona Apple’s voice. And PJ Harvey’s. And Nina Hagen’s. And Dido’s. {What can I say — I’m a sucker for female ‘alternative’ pop vocals).
I find that I go back and forth with Sara McLaughlin. Sometimes I really like her voice — sometimes it gets on my nerves. Same thing with Alannis Morrissette (splg?). When she’s on — when the material is right, Bjork is amazing.
I disagree with Mark on Joan Osborne. I don’t find her voice sexy at all. And Sheryl Crow’s voice is pretty blah, imo.
Like Jeremey, I like Ian McCullough, but I think I like the Fur’s Richard Butler even better. The lead singer for The Wedding Present has a great, distinctive voice.
The Cult’s Ian Astbury is an amazing vocalist — but although they put out some good stuff the band never really lived up to its promise. It seems like they should have done more considering the talent and backing they had.
Chris Cornell is one of the best rock vocalists ever, imo.
And, you know, Robert Smith can actually sing. He can hit and hold notes better than most pop/rock vocalists. I think that some of his phrasing is amazing — and distinctive. Sometimes his voice gets lost and too — you know — angsty.
Comment by William Morris — August 1, 2005 @ 1:08 pm
I always forget about Alison Moyet, but you’re right. She’s really awesome.
Chris Cornell just kinda goes without saying. Although I wish he could still sing like he did in the early days.
Comment by Susan M — August 1, 2005 @ 2:08 pm
I love Elisabeth Fraser.
Peter Murphy’s voice gives me chills
Comment by kneight — August 4, 2005 @ 11:13 am
Love their music or not, Daryl Hall has got a superb voice. It’s hard to think of any non-classical singer with such quality and control in his voice.
Of course, Luciano Pavarotti is without peer as a singer of any type.
Comment by David O — October 2, 2005 @ 2:00 am
Sandy Posey is a great singer-one of the best that I have ever heard-better than Norma Lee
Comment by James Dalphonse — November 27, 2005 @ 4:57 am
dj’s play Sandy Posey
Comment by James Dalphonse — November 27, 2005 @ 4:58 am
up and coming artists in the country music field: Bunnie Mills-Norma Lee-Krista McVoy
Comment by James Dalphonse — July 31, 2006 @ 4:02 pm
Holy crap, it’s James Dalphonse AGAIN!!
Comment by Supergenius — July 31, 2006 @ 4:34 pm
these are some of my favorite artists:
1. Yoko Ono
2. Sandy Posey
3. Rosanne Cash
4. Billie Joe Spears
5. Diana Ross
6. Lou Christie
Comment by James Dalphonse — December 8, 2006 @ 2:42 pm