With modern technology smoothing out the screech of modern pop music who in your opinion has the best voice, or can actually sing? I'll start you off with Johnny Mathis.
The third one that springs to mind is John Denver. Many songs I could have chosen, but I've gone with Annie's Song, as it's lead by his voice and not the instruments. Another great example of the voice doing enough.
+1 for the Merc. IMHO "best voice" and "can sing" can be two very different things. I love Tom Waits' voice but I'm not sure I'd say he can "sing" per se. But his voice certainly carries "something" merely being able hold a tune or sing in key doesn't.
Another vote for John Denver. Barry Manilow ("I write the songs that make the whole world sing") comes very close. I've always thought Karen Carpenter, Barbara Streisand, and Mary Poppins were the best female singers ever. Karen Carpenter:
There's a huge difference between a vocalist and a singer in my opinion. Shane McGowan is one of the best vocalists out there...dunno about him being a singer though.
Great idea for a thread. Here’s a couple of my favourites. I have seen Rickie Lee Jones in concert 4 or 5 times over the years and she has a great voice: Nina Simone was pretty much a unique talent
I really like Adele but she isn’t quite at the same level. I think both my nominees have an extra quality to their voices and sing so distinctively. I’d put Kate Bush in that same category.
Surely one of the greatest female voices of all time. She can go from honey sweet to a power that is just extraordinary. Straight out of the gospel tradition, you know she could produce the same performance wherever, whenever she needed to. Instantly recognisable. Aretha. Crystal clarity, a great range and incredible control. One of the most underrated female singers IMO, she should be near the top of everyone's list. I am actually in love with this voice. I could drown in it and never want to come back up for air. Unmistakeable. Freddie Mercury almost goes without saying. Nobody sings like Freddy. As for other great male voices, Chris Cornell exemplifies a kind of soulful rock voice that can roar when required. Quite how Nirvana are more famous than Soundgarden I will never understand. Smokey Robinson is a superb lyricist but his voice is just on another level. Proper. Howlin' Wolf just does the blues properly and his voice fits it perfectly. Howlin' Wolf "Smokestack Lightning" Live 1964 (Reelin' In The Years Archives) I'll sneak in a quirky mention for an unmistakeable voice. Not necessarily the best, but you know who it is when you hear it. Screamin` Jay Hawkins - Heart Attack & Vine Then there are the voices that mean the most to you, the ones that have accompanied you everywhere. Dr Rock. Motörhead - Doctor Rock Live Full-HD That's today's list, anyhow
One of the best local singers we have at the moment I think is Davina Michelle, she started as a cover singer on youtube but now even Pink is giving her some really good comments and she was her openingact on a couple occasions now
