Who’s your favorite singer? I’m defining “favorite” as the person whose voice and phrasing most reliably provides you with pleasure.
My own favorite is Willie Nelson. I’m not a huge fan, but — more than anyone else — he could sing a news article and keep me fascinated with the starts, stops, hints of emotion, etc. I can’t explain the fascination, but I recognize and appreciate it. Musically I prefer Van Morrison, or the Beatles, or Steely Dan, and while I like their vocals, there is rarely any active pleasure. I love the skill and beauty of Eva Cassidy and Mel Torme when I’m listening, but don’t have the same emotional connection (unless I’m thinking about Cassidy’s life and death.)
I don’t attach importance to Willie being my favorite singer – I’m not a student of vocal technique and have no interest in trying to convince anyone that he’s special. I think Willie’s own favorite singer is Frank Sinatra, who leaves me cold.
Inspired by the David Bowie thread going on, Bowie is my choice for male singer. Great range and tone, many styles, and it aged gracefully into its own rather than just being a lesser shadow of his you the (as opposed to for example Elton John or Billy Joel who simply burned out their voices).
For female, PJ Harvey for me. For many of the same reasons above.
I guess it’s Madonna. Her vocals are very closely matched to mine, and I love the vulnerability in her voice. Especially those slow burn ballads. I also relate to a lot of her music so it magnifies the emotional impact.
For dudes, it would be the lead singer of Chevelle, Pete Loeffler.
