Howlin’ Wolf
Gregg Allman
Chris Cornell
Impossible task, but here’s three:
Townes Van Zandt
Jimmie Dale Gilmore
RL Burnside— my good guide Daddy
Women:
Ella Fitzgerald
k d lang
Judy Garland
Men:
Bobby Darin
Nat “King” Cole
Mel Torme
Male and female lists, since the aesthetics of what makes a good voice are different with gender IMO…
Male:
Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull, pre vocal chord damage)
Harry Nilsson
Brendan Perry (Dead Can Dance)
Female:
Terri Nunn (Berlin)
Johnette Napolitano (Concrete Blonde)
Tanya Donnelly (Belly, et al)
Only three? I’m going to narrow the field, or I’ll never get through this.
Living singers only.
No opera singers.
Okay, here goes. I’m going to list the ones who make me gasp or melt into my shoes. Then I’ll narrow down the list with a machete, weeping with each one I must lop off.
Men:
Van Morrison
Keb’ Mo’
Elvis Costello
Women:
Bonnie Raitt
Diane Schuur
Lucinda Williams
I’m guessing my choices are in the love 'em or loath 'em category.
Birds:
Stevie Nicks
Cerys Matthews
Kate Bush
Blokes:
Jackie Leven (back in the doll by doll days)
Frank
Lux Interior*
*I’m having a hard time coming up with a third chap, can you tell?