I love Enya so much that it’s a little embarrassing. Yesterday there was a massive storm and I put on her Watermark album and the whole scene was just perfect. It’s weird though, I rarely think of her when talking about pop voices because I don’t really consider her a traditional vocalist, she’s sort of more like an instrument that is woven in with all these other sounds and textures. She doesn’t lead a song, she’s just a part of it, one of the elements.
Or Rahat Fateh Ali Khan?
I second (third? fourth?) the suggestion of kd lang.
True, she is definitely beautiful.
Sorry - couldn’t resist.
How about Glenn Hughes? Beautiful? Perfect? Popular?
Has anyone mentioned Sade?
And did I miss Seal?
He’s the first person I thought of… and oddly enough, although it may not be “popular music”, Glenn Danzig.
Those guys can sing… and you might not even know it if you’re not a rock/metal fan.
Not a huge fan of hers, but Sinead O’Connor belongs on the list.
The link is to a slow acoustic version of “House of the Rising Sun”.
I still think her best song is Nothing Compares 2U, stupid title nothwithstanding.
But the first person I thought of when I saw the thread title was Neko Case.
Allison Krause has a beautiful voice, as does Bonnie Raitt. Natalie Merchant deserves a vote or two as well.
I also love the voice of Margo Timmins of Cowboy Junkies. This version of Lou Reed’s “Sweet Jane” is just haunting.
For male singers, I think Burton Cummings of the Guess Who had one of the best voices in rock music. He was also purported to have one of the widest ranges of any male vocalists at the time.
He’s over 60 now, and still has his range: I Will Sing a Rhapsody.
I thought so, too, but she also does a bang-up job on “Ode to Billie Joe.” Her voice is as haunting as the song.
Since others are pushing the boundaries of what “popular music” is I’m going to make my suggestion; Loreena McKennitt. I guess operatic training helps.
not to mention her sister maire.
lorena mckennett is very good and in the same league; sings and plays quite a few instruments.
Hee. I was going to mention her when I mentioned Enya, but I thought of Enya as slightly more mainstream.
No George Jones yet?? I’m not a huge country fan but his voice (and his delivery) were in their prime some of the best in radio-friendly music, to understate the matter.
Well, him, and repeat Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, not necessarily in that order.
What about Kurt Elling?
Brad Delp of Boston.