Elvis
Janis
Chester “Howlin’ Wolf” Burnett
Nina Simone
Elizabeth Fraser
Jeff Buckley
Female: Twila Paris. If you haven’t heard of her, she’s a Christian artist whose popularity peaked in the mid 90’s. By golly, she can sing the paint off a wall.
Male: Nat King Cole. His voice is soooooo crystal clear.
Great choices, but eventually my vote in that category goes to David Sylvian and Dolores O’Riordan, the singer from the Cranberries.
Overall, I’d go for classical music, with Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau and Dawn Upshaw as the winners (honorable mentions for Fritz Wunderlich, the Luciano Pavarotti of say 20 years ago, Anne-Sofie von Otter and Elly Ameling).
You want a voice with character? One that tells a life story just from the sound? Billie Holiday in 1956, 1957 or 1958. The Silver Collection: Best of the Verve Years will make a believer out of you. Some folks like her earlier material better, but I like to hear the experience in her voice. Talk about the good dying young.
Oooh, Dragon Phoenix has the same tastes as I in classical singers. I did a master class with Dawn Upshaw once - the purity of her voice is just breathtaking. And Fischer-Dieskau is so powerful, but sensitive at the same time. Wow.
I like Shagnasty’s vote for Karen Carpenter, as well. Her voice is melted chocolate. For a male, I’d also throw in James Taylor. That man can sing!
The only name I disagree with is Billie Holiday (sorry, plnnr). I agree with your assessment, but on a purely vocal level she can be tough to listen to.
Nora Bayes . . . Judy Garland . . . Russ Columbo . . . Bessie Smith . . . ditto on Dean Martin . . .
Sweat Pea Atkinson
Aretha
For speaking roles only…
I grew up wanting to sound like George Sanders, so smooth, so urbane, so nonchalant, but God decided I would better serve him by going through life sounding like ‘Squiggy’ from “Laverne and Shirley”. -sigh-
Best female voice: Angela Lansbury!
After over a year of lurking, I’m almost ashamed that this is the thread that brought me out of the shadows.
My opinion?
Sebastian Bach. Of Skid Row
Even toughguys like me can’t help but be moved by his vocal prowess on “18 and Life”.
Well, there was the old narrator from Steve Sabol Films. (Oh, you remember, the NFL highlights show…the OLD version.) Don’t remember the guy’s name, but he was dubbed “The voice of God”. Yeah, God wishes.
I love Dinah! But let’s not forget Joan Armatrading.
I love Sam Cooke, but early Jackie Wilson is wonderful stuff. I try to understand that the later ‘lounge’ type singing was apparantly thought to be a good idea at the time. This from some liner notes on his boxed set.
The late John Facienda was the voice of NFL Films.
Paul Robeson.
His voice was amazing!
Jim Morrison
No votes for Freddie Mercury or Linda Ronstadt?
Robert Plant
Chrissy Hynde
Correct.
I’ll throw in Chuck D., Marvin Gaye, and Ella Fitzgerald.