I like Dylan’s many voices, but I understand that some don’t. But Roy Orbison? You need to get your ears checked, dude.
I like what I like.
Orbison was not it. Not in the 60s, and not later. Too operatic and melodramatic for my tastes. And the high bits are like nails on a chalkboard to me, for some reason. Not that I have a problem with singers who go high, just Orbison in particular. Makes me feel like a Martian listening to Slim Whitman…
Trashing Roy Orbison AND Slim Whitman in the same thread? Lucky for you they took away my grandma’s Louisville Slugger.
Way to miss my point. Roy Orbison had one of the greatest voices of all time. He could sing rock and roll, pop, country, or any style of music and elevate a song to a higher level. He had only a few lines on Handle With Care, but those few lines
I’m so tired of being lonely
I still have some love to give
Won’t you show me that you really care?
make the whole song. How anybody can be completely turned off by his voice is beyond me.
Roy had the voice of an angel. It’s pure, clean, tuneful. Even when I don’t like a song he’s singing, I still love his voice. I can’t think of a man with a more beautiful voice.
Bob Dylan was created because the Universe couldn’t tolerate the vocal imbalance without imploding.
I think we might have crossed wires-or else I formatted my reply quoting wrong.
I was trying to defend Dylan’s song writing-his poetry. Completely understand taking or leaving his singing voice.
In no way, shape or form did I mean to imply that Roy Orbison’s singing voice was anything less than sublime, entrancing, pure artistry. I listen to him instead of meditating when I need to escape the bonds of this mortal plane.
Friends 
?
cochrane, what the Hell made you think that joke was appropriate?
People who try to defend their comments usually dig a bigger hole for themselves, so I’m not going to. I’ll just apologize to everybody who was offended by it.
I’ll bet if McCartney re-recorded “Wonderful Christmas” time with just piano, bass, drums, and acoustic guitar, it might not sound that bad.
I kind of like that mid-70’s synth version.
Cochrane’s throat has been jumped down about the misogyny in the joke. A sincere apology and mea culpa was offered to the offendee (me) and accepted. Peace was made. For my part, learning occurred on both sides. Win for all.
My mileage varies.
I also don’t like early Elvis or Johnny Cash, just so you have a better idea of my tastes. Not that I’m down on all rockabilly, mind you, I like Del Shannon and Buddy Holly.
I appreciate that. Mileages do vary. But you must confess that Roy Orbinson could sing, mustn’t you? I mean, Luciano Pavarotti never did it for me, because opera per se doesn’t do it for me, but I can hear that the man could sing. And so could Roy Orbinson (who was the most operatic pop singer ever).
Ronnie James Dio? Pat Benatar?
Granted. Also Meat Loaf. All those are great singers, but also shouters in a way (which is not a bad thing, mind you). But Roy Orbison (please don’t ask me how I could call him “Orbinson” above 
) was a finer singer, he never belted anything out, There was always a certain kind of grace in his singing.
Bruce Dickinson…
Benatar actually trained to be an opera singer.
Yeah, I’d almost say that Orbison was not operatic in that he wasn’t a belter. He always seemed to have subtlety and control even when he was coming close to blasting hard. He was the best crooner, ever, IMHO. Partially because he had a great range, partly because he incorporated as much drama as he could from rockabilly/rock n’ roll/r n’ b into his incredible crooning.
Of course. I’m not deaf. I’m not saying he doesn’t technically sing well. That does not make his voice that of “an angel” to me, I’m afraid.
Roy Orbinson (who was the most operatic pop singer ever).
…and if I wanted to listen to opera, that would be fine, I guess.
Although…Freddy Mercury might want to have a word.