Seconded. Just listen to his version of My Funny Valentine. If I could sing, I’d want to sing like Frank.
I also want to second Big Bad Voodoo Lou’s nomination of Chris Isaak. I have most of his albums, including his recent Christmas album - which is pretty damn good, if you ask me, and I’m no big fan of Christmas.
This is an interesting thread. I’d like to see how gay men, straight men and women differ in what they think of as sexy male voices.
Put mine down in the “bisexual male” column, then.
Nat King Cole, songs like ‘Stardust’ and ‘Let There Be Love’ are just the ticket.
Phil Bailey has an incredible range, you tend only to hear him in the higher reaches, nut he can sing in the mid to upper lower range too, crystal clear voice.
Sam Cooke, the voice of an angel.
Levi Stubbs
Roy Orbison, particularly ‘Mystery Girl’ which is something very special.
Mel Torme
Marvin Gaye
Jeff Tweedy
Jeff Buckley
Elliot Smith
John Lennon
Aaaaannnd…another vote for Freddy Mercury!
Also Don Henley. I love that rasp he has on “Hotel California” & “Boys of Summer”
Roger Daltrey. Fantastic falsetto. Don’t know why falsetto is sexy but it is.
As for the worst vocalist: Keith Moon.
Most beautiful - Luther Vandross; He could sing the yellow pages and I’d listen. Honorable mention to Andrea Bocelli.
Sexiest - Elvis Presley with an honorable mention to Richard Marx
Third place: Bryan Ferry (hear, esp., the live “Jealous Guy” he did with Roxy Music)
Second place: Marvin Gaye
First place: Caetano Veloso (see the “whose voice makes you weak in the knees” thread in Cafe Society a few months ago).
I’ll second Elvis Costello and put a vote in for Jarvis Cocker while I’m at it.
Straight female here.
Freddie Mercury for all-around best voice. Great range, great control, amazing flexibility. Burton Cummings is great, but comes second to Freddie in my book. I think Meat Loaf has an incredible voice as well.
Sexiest voices: David Clayton Thomas (old Blood, Sweat & Tears), Roger Taylor from Queen, Waylon Jennings, Ray Charles, Dean Martin.
Elvis.
He was famous and popular before anyone realized he had a dynamic voice.
Maybe the introduction of HiFi, and stereo around the same time had something to do with it.
Damfino.
Garm (of Ulver and Arcturus) by a long shot.
Van Morrison: Moondance
Barry White: when I miss mr kiffa’s shower singing
Phil Collins: Why can’t it wait until morning [but that’s the only PCollins song]
yeah, mel torme, but I don’t like his songs
Jason Mraz? sexy voice? Sorry, he sounds how he looks - 17 years old, but his music is great
[Straight male column]
Women I’ve asked this question of tend to say Harry Connick Jr. and Aaron Neville.
Lonely European vote: Robbie Williams. Sure, he’s not the best singer in the world, but he’s got that timbre going on that suggests a quiet room and lots and lots of whipped cream. Or so I hear.
That and yesterday my Dad put on a CD with crappy Christmas songs, but Johnny Cash’s voice couldn’t even be marred by a cheap synthesizer and cheesy lyrics.
I think Josh Groban has a beautiful voice. Andrea Bocelli also sings beautifully, even if I can’t understand a word he says.
I also really like David Gilmour’s voice.
Straight woman here, and I think he’s got a fairly sexy voice.
In other sexy voices, I’ll also vote for David Bowie, Bryan Ferry, and Chris Isaak. My “oddball” choice for a sexy singing voice is David Draiman of Disturbed. Rawr…
Three-way faceoff between Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye and Clyde McPhatter.
I think Trent Willmon has a sexy voice. It’s really deep.
Also, Gary Allan. He’s got a kind of raspy, throaty sound to a lot of his songs that I just love.
Mark Hoppus from Blink-182. I could listen to that guy sing all day. His songs just flow because his voice is so…smooth I guess.
I’ve long since maintained that I’d trade my left nut for Paul Heaton’s voice. Considering the notes that he can hit, it would take both.