gatopescado pretty much nailed my opinion.
George’s voice certainly appeals to me the most, but I think thats a taste thing (like all the preferences stated in this thread) rather than a ‘best’ thing.
Boo Boo- also, what about the harmonies on Because?
I utterly detest the original Twist & Shout. Utterly. Detest.
So I don’t think Ronald Isley holds a candle to John. Or Paul, or hell, even Ringo.
The Beatles did the definitive version of Twist and Shout. By a mile.
Earl- well the original Twist & Shout was by the Topnotes on Atlantic, produced by Phil Spector. Soon after the Isleys did it. Across the board, no remake by the Beatles was close to the original-the true test of a voice . Any Motown, Berry, Perkins, Coaster, Shirelle- the Beatles admit their version was not as good.
Indeed Marley - I have to concede that both are just wonderful. Truly wonderful.
Just as a bit of trivia, about 3 years ago I went to see Sting at a concert in Brisbane. His support act fell ill, so what did Sting choose to put on the sound system as the show’s support act?
He played Abbey Road - from beginning to end. Except for Her Majesty - he came on stage immediately after “The End”. (I personally always thought “Her Majesty” was a really egotistical thing to do on Paul’s part. “The End” was a fantastic group effort including George Martin at his arrangment best. “Her Majesty” totally ruined the vibe for mine but eh, what can ya do? Well, if you’re Sting, what ya can do is walk on and play Fields of Gold instead of “Her Majesty”, that’s what ya can do! :D)
Anyway, he didn’t play the album too loud. We were sitting in the 3rd row and what a show. What a sound system. I’ve heard Sting say many a time that The Beatles were a huge influence on him (you’d never pick it of course) and that night there were heaps of parents with young children introducing the great man to their kiddies.
Sting made a point at about the halfway point of talking directly to the youngsters in the audience (who were very well behaved I might add) and he explained to them why he had chosen Abbey Road in particular. He also mentioned the rich harmonies too.
It was a nice touch if you ask me.
I will grant you that the Beatles could sing some tight harmonies. That is not the same as having a great voice. None of the Beatles has a great voice, IMO. Good voices, yes. Great voices, no.
Listen to Little Richard sing “Tutti Frutti.” Now listen to Paul sing it. That little experiment should demonstrate quite clearly the difference between a passable rock-and-roll voice and a GREAT rock-and-roll voice.