Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: GUEST,999
Date: 02 Jan 12 - 10:27 PM

That was my point, pdq. It always comes down to a matter of taste. We could use guitar tuners to see who's hitting the notes accurately; we could also read people's brains wired to EKGs to determine which sounds 'get to us'. Bucks to donuts it would differ person to person. I think this type of thread asks us to say what we like. It also asks us about singers--with no definition of what that means. Pavarotti could sing. I don't know that he COULD miss a note, but opera does nothing for me. For some people it's the greatest music in the world. I listen to Goodnight-Loving Trail by Utah and it sends shivers through my being. Others of his songs leave me cold. Other folks love Bryan Adams--I'm one of them. His Summer of '69 is imo a great song, well-sung. There will be lots of people who disagree, and rightfully so. It is not in a genre they like. To me, it boils down to what we like, what resonates within us. Dylan's Times They Are A Changing is wonderful. He SINGS that. I think Baez would murder the song. And many people would disagree.

I like to hear songs the singer(s) make work. I love some of MCC's work. Not all of it. I'm like that with Sinead O'C, too. But to blanket any vocalist or singer with "this one is in the top 10" seems to deny the songs they've done that just don't cut it. Define the criteria, define the genre, define yer musical likes and dislikes and have at it.

S'far's I'm concerned, The Family Brown nailed it with The Three Bells. Some folks might find it a bit too sentimental. Listen to Deep River Blues by Doc and whoa--what a song. "16th Avenue" by Lacey J is phenomenal--but if you don't like singer-songwriter stuff, likely you wouldn't care for it. (I wish English had another pronoun that meant the impersonal 'one'.)

I boils down to whatcha like and whatcha've heard. Nothing more, nothing less. IMO.

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: ollaimh
Date: 02 Jan 12 - 10:23 PM

at the risk of being too canadian, gordon lightfoot , and joni mitchell both have had top ten hits and are great singers. joni is one of the finest voices in any genre

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: Bert
Date: 02 Jan 12 - 10:05 PM

Lots of good ones mentioned, but for someone who can put a song across and hold and entertain an audience you buggers have missed out the great Tommy Steele.

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: pdq
Date: 02 Jan 12 - 09:50 PM

The title of this thread seems to be asking for examples of singers who can really sing, as in technically fine singers, as in singers with fine voices.

The best singers, in my opinion, are the ones who can sell the song, as in get the point across.

I listen to both extremes and everything in between.

Jerry Garcia had no real singing voice, but I cannot imagine anyone else who could do a convincing job with Black Peter or Warf Rat. Imagine those songs done by John Gary or Al Martino and cringe.

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: GUEST,999
Date: 02 Jan 12 - 09:25 PM

Indeed, do, Larry.

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: GUEST,Larry Saidman
Date: 02 Jan 12 - 09:13 PM

My response to "GUEST" who just asked why we don't just say who we like and leave it at that?

I'm not particularly interested in who people "like"....you can probably tell that through record sales, etc.

I'm more interested in why certain singers appeal to some and not to others.    And what is the criteria we use to judge somebody as a 'great' singer....whether we like them or not.

One striking example for me of the difference is Ella Fitzgerald....who I am only rarely drawn to, yet I so appreciate her voice, dexterity, and the creativity of her interpretations.

And people who can barely sing (eg. Frank Black, Fabian (from the 50's), John Stewart) who I always love to listen to.

I don't know if there is a thread on what qualities make a great singer. If not, should I start one?

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: saulgoldie
Date: 02 Jan 12 - 08:09 PM

I skimmed the list. And everyone I would have mentioned has been listed. Man o MAN, we are blessed to have experienced so many great voices!

Saul

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: GUEST,999
Date: 02 Jan 12 - 08:02 PM

Threads like this sure do get tiresome. The BEST of this, the BEST of that. Why the fu#k can't people just say who they like, which they do anyway, and leave it at that? The BEST fighter I ever met was a Vietnamese kid no one here ever heard of. The BEST singer was likewise someone no one here ever heard of. The implication is that the people who write have heard all singers everywhere, and from that they will pronounce the winner. Sheesh, spare us all. Just tell us who YOU like, and leave it at that.

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: GUEST,Larry Saidman
Date: 02 Jan 12 - 07:42 PM

I find it fascinating how different people define someone who can 'really sing'. It seems to me it means more than a great voice (i.e. Slim Whitman, John Gary wouldn't fit my definition of great singers) or a specific and very distinctive style (Willie Nelson, John Stewart, Karen Dalton....all who I really like but wouldn't classify as great singers). And Bob Shane and Dave Guard? I liked the Kingston trio but I would have never thought of them as great singers. Same with any of The Beatles (great writers and performers..yes).

It seems to me that voice and style are important....as is vocal dexterity. But the most important is the ability to make a song come alive. That way many traditional balladeers would certainly fit!

My own nominations?    Gene McDaniels, Mickey Newbury, Tony Bennett, sometimes Sinatra, Nina Simone, Freddy Mercury, Solomon Burke (his early 60's recordings), early Gladys Knight, Ray Charles, Patrice Munsel, Jan Peerce, Ralph Stanley.....and probably 100's of others.

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: GUEST,Azoic
Date: 02 Jan 12 - 05:12 PM

In no particular order.   Kate Rusby,Karrin Allyson,Karan Casey,Valerie Carter,Jo Stafford,Natalie Merchant,Nico,Niamh Parsons,Julie Covington,Lea Salonga,Cristina Branco,Rosa Passos,Kate Bush,Jennifer Warnes,Judee Sill,Linda Ronstadt,Karen Carpenter,Marina Topferova,Marta Sebestyn,Norma Winstone,Jackie Oates,Olivia Chaney.

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: GUEST,schlimmerkerl
Date: 10 Nov 10 - 03:41 PM

This guy… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqD8MZHC5Lw

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: GUEST,Crispin Fox
Date: 10 Nov 10 - 03:39 AM

Jim Moray

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: The Sandman
Date: 09 Nov 10 - 06:35 PM

JoeOffer

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 09 Nov 10 - 06:17 PM

Kendall, I think not, otherwise I'd remember who....

Kitty

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: GUEST,kendall
Date: 09 Nov 10 - 12:50 PM

Slim Whitman indeed!
Seamus Kennedy

Did anyone mention Frank Ifield?

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: GUEST,dame-yankee
Date: 09 Nov 10 - 11:35 AM

Just found this, and I have all but 10 of the artists you listed, but want you to know you didn't mention one of the greatest...Slim Whitman.

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: Lighter
Date: 02 Oct 10 - 10:17 AM

More food for thought: when folies are asked to name the "best" singers (i.e., the ones they like the best), the names of trad singers and even "conservative" revival singers rarely appear.

Consider other threads where Mudcatter admit that few of the "greatest" songs or "songs that make them drop everything" have anything to do with traditional music.

Understand that I'm not dissing anybody or trying to be a smartass. I'm just pointing to a surprising fact. For many people, the appeal of traditional music seems to be somehow distinct from the appeal of mainstream music - which even folkies seem to prefer when you get right down to it. Why is that?

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Oct 10 - 06:24 AM

Charice Pempengco
Celine Dion
Mariah Carey
Whitney Houston

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 11:02 AM

Len Graham
Bob Fox
Ken Wilson
Sam Lee
Jim Causley
Sara Grey
Janet Russell
John Boden...

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: GUEST,CAP
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 03:43 AM

The late John Wright had an amazing voice even without a mic. Chipp enham festival proved this when the sound system broke down on the third number & he carried on without & could be heard everywhere in the auditorium. Also I had the pleasure of him singing in my garden early one morning, a memory I will will always treasure, every note spot on. My neighbour even asked for a CD. & autograph.

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 19 Jul 10 - 08:34 PM

OK there's a certain geographical element about this isn't there?
So here's a few from my neck o' the woods:
Sylivia Barnes
Gordeanna McCulloch
Chris Miles
Anne Neilson
Jim Malcolm
Alan Pryor
Alison McMorland
Scott Gardiner
Adam MacNaughtan
Barbara Dickson
Alistair Ogilvy
And more........

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: GUEST,Hi Lo
Date: 19 Jul 10 - 01:35 PM

If we are including opera singers..the two best singers, an genre, that I have ever heard are Maria Callas and Cecelia Bartolli. In fact, Cecelia Bartolli is, in my opinion, the best singer ever.

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: GUEST,GUEST
Date: 19 Jul 10 - 12:59 PM

SCOWIE !

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: olddude
Date: 19 Jul 10 - 10:18 AM

no particular order here


Bruce Murdoch
Shamus Kennedy
Amos
Bobert
Jerry
Kendall
pretty much all of the mudcat ladies I heard but some I mention here
JT
Bankley
George P.
Will Fly
Dan
Joe
Big Mick
Dick
Janie
Maeve
Jeri
Sharyn
Jacqui
Wesley

my list goes on and on since this is the only music I listen to anymore and I am not leaving anyone out ... just too long to type in each name

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: GUEST,Patsy Warren
Date: 19 Jul 10 - 09:21 AM

There are singers who can really sing and there are those who have a distinctive way of singing.

Singers who really have or have had good singing voices in their day:-

Mario Lanza
Katherine Grayson
Julie Andrews
Tom Jones
Howard Keel
Deanna Durbin
Caruso (think that's how you spell it)
Doris Day
Elvis (although I am not a fan)
P J Proby
Rosemary Clooney
Bobby Vee
Aretha Franklin
Bobby Darin
Christina Aguillera
Andy Williams
Judy Garland
Amy Whinehouse (when she was producing good songs)
Abba girls (Classic trained)
Mama Cass
Nat King Cole
Otis Reading
Marvin Gaye
Dusty Springfield
Connie Francis
Patsy Cline
Dame Kiri
Vera Lynn
Ella Fitzgerald
Edith Piaff
Sammy Davis Junior
George Benson
Paul Robson
All of the three Tenors
Barbara Streisand
Brenda Lee
Bob Marley

Distinctively good (quirky) Voiced Singers:-

Tom Waites
Leonard Cohen
David Bowie
Frank Sinatra
Anthony Newley
Mick Jagger
Rod Stewart (with Faces)
Bob Dylan
Elton John
John Lennon
Liza Minnelli
Lulu
Cliff Richard (for the wrong reasons)
Tony Bennett
Morrissey
Cilla Black (in her hey day)
Diana Ross (had no singing training)
Bing Crosby
Stevie Wonder
Specials
Stevie Nicks
Janis Joplin
Jimi Hendricks
Sugg's
Paul McCartney
Ringo
George Harrison (each of the Beatles because they all were distinctive in their own way.
Lou Reed
Nick Cave
Buddy Holly
Roy Orbison
Kate Bush
Gracie Fields
Vera Lynn
Michael Jackson
Fred Astaire (not brilliant singer but style)
Ozzie Osborne
Axel Rose
Noddy Holder
Frankie Valli

Whatever opinions are on this it is so sad that a lot of the talent is no longer with us.

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Jul 10 - 10:16 PM

Ugh?

Roy Orbison isn't a HUGE VOICE?
LOL
Try singing Crying, or, It's Over

I was trained to sing high church and Opera.
Tom Jones' Delilah & Roy's It's Over challenge you.


Ronnie SeCoy
(Sarah's Song & Kiss her Goodnight)

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: JohnB
Date: 19 Feb 10 - 12:11 PM

Maddy, Sandy and June of course.
Nobody seems to have mentioned Jennifer Warnes, Leonard Cohen never sounded so good.
I guess I don't like too many male singers, John Boden just sprung to mind though.
In another vane Paul Robeson, Placido Domingo and a few other tenori whose names escape me at the moment
JohnB.

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: GUEST,zpc
Date: 19 Feb 10 - 05:33 AM

No-one's mentioned Sam Brown? Lady's got one hell of a voice...

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: Genie
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 02:38 AM

Tunesmith, I don't know that Roy Orbison's voice was ever regaled for its "power." I think it was mainly his pitch range, tone, and overall quality.

Also, there's a HUGE difference between having a "whisper" of a voice and merely not being able to project one's voice in a huge venue or above a cacaphony of other sounds (such as in a pub) without a mic.

I compared acoustic guitars to pianos and trumpets earlier. A prime example I think would be this:
I heard Andrès Segovia in concert back in the '60s in a large concert hall. He absolutely refused to play unless and until the audience bloody shut the hell up -- totally!   They/we did -- this time -- because when he had appeared at that same concert hall earlier on, and the audience wouldn't be quiet to listen, he had walked off the stage.
Even with everyone being quiet, his classical acoustic guitar did not "fill" the room the way violins, brass, pianos, and many opera singers (not to mention rock belters) can.
But to denigrate his talent or the beauty of his music because of that would be ridiculous.

There are many singers -- and some instruments -- that can be heard just fine in small auditoriums with good acoustics or in small clubs, when the audience is listening (as opposed to trying to yak over them).   But to be heard over an entire orchestra or in an arena or over the din of your average pub without a mic, that takes special lung power.

I'd say range of volume is ONE criterion of being "a good singer" -- but neither a necessary nor a sufficient one. : )

And I'd far rather listen to Roy Orbison than the vast majority of big-voiced professional singers I've heard.

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 01:23 AM

Lonesome egg, Bobert? Is that some kind of yolk? Omelet you have it! (as Roger in Baltimore might say)

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: GUEST,frankB
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 11:23 PM

Among all the "acquired taste" influential oddballs I can't believe nobody named Tom Waits! And then there's Neil Young....

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: Bobert
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 05:28 PM

I like Lonesome Egggg's reference to Son House... Yeah, he could flat out sing...

Also, someone mentioned Bruce Murdock who can also flat out sing... The best of all the Mudcatters I have heard... Others are just good... He is great...

B~

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 05:09 PM

If I'm right, then we've all been lead to believe that Roy Orbison has this powerful tenor/counter-tenor voice. But if it's a whisper and all these high notes are created by expanding very little air, then I am disappointed. If I sing like that, then my highest notes are spot on without any straining. Roy has created an illusion. An illusion that only works with the aid of a microphone. Of course, nearly everyone you hear, whose voice has been captured by a microphone, on tv or recordings, has their voice manipulated by various effects. For example, the amount of echo or presence added to the voices of X-Factor contestants is amazing. I can safely say, that we'd all be disappointed by the performance of our favourite popular singers if they were to play live - minus mics/amplification and all the effects - in our living-rooms.

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 12:39 PM

Piano and trumpet ? Don't you mean warpipes and bombardes ?

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: Genie
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 07:50 AM

Well, if unamplified volume is a main criterion for "good singing," then one would have to say the piano and trumpet are much better musical instruments than acoustic guitars - especially classical guitars. : )

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 10:29 PM

Lonesome EJ , I forgot all about Mary Fahl!...Thanks for reminging me. She sings low, but great material!

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 06:26 PM

I'm sure I posted this but it was probably on the wrong thread:-(

Neil Diamond
Judith Durham
Roger Whittaker

DeG

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 04:43 PM

Left out Tim Obrien, probably the best Bluegrass tenor around.

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 04:39 PM

Lowell George
Steve Marriott
Steve Perry
Elvis Presley
Little Richard
Merle Haggard
Gordon Lightfoot
Patsy Cline
Dusty Springfield
Otis Redding
Nat King Cole
Mary Fahl
Janis Joplin
Van Morrison
Roy Orbison
Son House

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: Little Hawk
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 04:04 PM

Yes, I see what you mean... ;-)

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 03:59 PM

Being a folkie, it interests to think that the great Roy Orbison would not sound so great if he turned up at my local singaround and couldn't be heard unless you were sitting right next to him!

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: Little Hawk
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 03:50 PM

Well, there's a girl here in Orillia who's pretty much like that. Her voice is quite small without a microphone, but she sounds absolutely marvelous with a microphone, has perfect pitch, great phrasing, excellent in every way you could want when she has amplification...so what's wrong with that?

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 03:44 PM

Roy Orbison and Karen Carpenter seemed to have been purely microphone singers inasmuch as they had very small voices and without a mic would have totally lacked projection.

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: GUEST,HiLo
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 11:42 AM

My choices would be based on the ability to sing on Key, to able to carry the notes and to understand, musically, what you are meant to be conveying..
I will leave out the opera singers since all seem able to accomplish these things...
June Tabor, Ella Fitzgerald, Jo Stafford, Louis Armstrong, Al Bowley, Roy Orbison,Amy Winehouse, Anne Murray, Edith Piaf, Norma Waterson, Aretha Franklin, Sarah Brightman, Judy Garland . Lot more but these come instantly to mind. A very interesting thread, thanks.

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 11:21 AM

Jussi Bjorling?? Wow - can we also resurrect Kirsten Flagstad, Jan Peerce and Robert Merrill?

I'm glad someone mentioned Theodore Bikel. I still have a book of his, "Folksongs and Footnotes," which must have been published in the late 1950's or early 1960's. He might be the most eclectic folk singer I've heard. A great performer, whether theatrical or musical.

I just heard from Randy Sparks, recovering well from prostate cancer treatment and still performing regularly (at 70-something) with his small group, which also includes Clarence Treat, Art Podell and Arizona's official state balladeer, Dolan Ellis.

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 10:53 AM

J D Souther wrote/co-wrote stuff for The Eagles. I love this track. The great Stanley Clarke is on double-bass.

Silver Blue

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: GUEST,Ian Gill
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 10:47 AM

Here are 10 to think about;
June Tabor
Mara Kiek
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Nic Jones
Tony Rose
Dolores Keane
John Tams
Christine Collister
Christy Moore
Martin Carthy

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: Sir Roger de Beverley
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 10:11 AM

Buddy Holly!

I know that he has a distinctive/idiosynchratic way of phrasing but his range and pure note hitting are second to none.

Just listen to the full recording of True Love Ways. : The pianist hits one note, Holly clears his throat, the pianist hits the note again and Holly sings unaccompanied "Just you know why" and then the orchestra hits in - absolute note perfect magic and light years better than any othe version since; most of them don't have the range to sing it properly. Many talk of him as a three chord wonder but you look at the sheet music for that song, nine chords with a change on almost every phrase for a song that he wrote at the age of 21.

R

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: MikeL2
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 07:09 AM

hi

A very interesting thread.

As I have entered it late most of the people I would have chosen have been mentioned.

However I have seen nothing here about Harry Nilsson. His Can't Live if Living is Without You IMHO is a classic and most of his music was great.

Similarly I love Mel Torme. My dad was a huge fan and as a kid I used to argue with him about his choice of music. But when my Dad died I inherited his record collection and when I listened to Mel Torme again I realised what a talent he was, and it saddened me that just once I should have agreed with my dad over music....lol

cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: Top 10 Singers Who CAN Sing
From: kendall
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 07:03 AM

I can't comment on those I have never heard of.