I choose Nat King Cole.

But Steve Balsamo is awesome (if little known) too.

Ooooh gosh! Can't choose just one ...

Maria Callas and Elvis Presley are among those I consider to be great singers, could name quite a few more though :thumbsup:

My partner says Tori Amos.

I find it hard to decide, probably either Kate Bush or Peggy Lee.

Though its hard to just base it on singing voice, its also a matter of if you just like their music too.

Elvis? Nice voice but not great.

Hmmm ..... difficult one that and I've changed my mind several times. Think I'm going to go for Ella Fitzgerald.

Though others in my opinion include Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Marvin Gaye, Dusty Springfield and Al Green.

Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion. Whether you like them or not have all got undeniably fantastic voices.
Others are Elvis, Karen Carpenter, Doris Day (sweet) Eva Cassidy, Norah Jones, Katie Melluah, Gretchen Peters. Too many to mention.

Frank Sinatra, his phrasing and timing were perfect.

He used to walk into a recording studio with a cup of coffee and a cigarette sing his numbers once and then walk out finished.

I bet there's not many recording artists can do that.

Happy Days!

Originally posted by Anj1364
Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion. Whether you like them or not have all got undeniably fantastic voices.


This was intended to be a serious thread.....:suspect:

I see you are living up to your name.

You didn't say 'give your opinion on this post only if you think I will agree with it'.

Originally posted by PopT
Frank Sinatra, his phrasing and timing were perfect.

He used to walk into a recording studio with a cup of coffee and a cigarette sing his numbers once and then walk out finished.

I bet there's not many recording artists can do that.

Happy Days!

Nobody has made it look easier that's for sure. :)

Tori Amos for me..................

Originally posted by the_rudeboy
This was intended to be a serious thread.....:suspect:

Opinions will of course be subjective!

Thom Yorke's vice is top - but then again, I may be reminded that this is a 'serious thread'.

:)

Renee Fleming- gorgeous soprano voice with beautifully clear enunciation.

Originally posted by Anj1364
I see you are living up to your name.

You didn't say 'give your opinion on this post only if you think I will agree with it'.

Take it you aint got the faintest idea about rudeboys and what we are ?

Lets see who agrees with you about your choices......so far nobody has named the 'decent' singers you picked....;)

And am I not entitled to my opinion? You can have a go at my choices. Is that not what this is all about? Debate and banter.

my favourate maybe...Mike Patton from Faith No More...or Axl Rose around 86-88

but.....According to 2005 Guinness Book of World Records, Georgia Brown the pop star from Brazil is credited to have the widest vocal range (male or female), from G2 to G10. The book said that Georgia possesses a 9 octave range surpassing that of a standard piano keyboard. Her range was measured using a piano, and a Hammond. The G10 though is not a note but rather a frequency which of course cannot be sung at all. It's way beyond any musical value.

Originally posted by the_rudeboy
This was intended to be a serious thread.....:suspect:

mariah carey has one of the best female voices in pop. i dont like ANY of her songs...but cant deny she can belt them out

I go for, Steve The X-Factor "rapper"
:)

Originally posted by MTheo
mariah carey has one of the best female voices in pop.

exactly......only ONE of the best in POP.

The original post was 'THE greatest voice ever'.........come on, do you really think she has got the greatest voice ever?

I'm sorry but of all the names suggested none of them are better than the ULtimate Singer

Freddie Mercury

Mariah Carey does that whole wobbly winey thing as does Whitney
And I really can't think of any of the other that remotely live up to his standards

Mike Patton has been on record in the past stating Freddie and Queen as an Influence of his

Kinda hard picking one person from the multitude of genres around.

Tracy Chapman, and Frank are certainly are up there with the best. too many to list really.

My personal favorite is Paul Draper from Mansun.

Joel

Originally posted by the_rudeboy
exactly......only ONE of the best in POP.

The original post was 'THE greatest voice ever'.........come on, do you really think she has got the greatest voice ever?

these kinda questions always get judged different ways....

most influential?
best vocal range?
best performer live?
my most favourate?

i have stated my possible favourates...but i cant pick one who i would consider the greatest voice ever...because i just dont think its something you can judge without bias towards your own personal tastes.

Originally posted by Rockerman
I'm sorry but of all the names suggested none of them are better than the ULtimate Singer

Freddie Mercury

Mariah Carey does that whole wobbly winey thing as does Whitney
And I really can't think of any of the other that remotely live up to his standards

Mike Patton has been on record in the past stating Freddie and Queen as an Influence of his

Incredible that it took this long before anyone mentioned Freddie Mercury! Probably the greatest voice in modern music ever!

As a indivdual i'd say Elvis, as a group i'm torn between Queen and The Doors, but as Queen and Freddie Mercury is mor fun i'l go for Queen.

No one going to mention Bob Dylan, then??

I'd go for
Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras, Freddie Mercury.
Monserrat Caballé, Joan Sutherland, Eva Cassidy.

Yoko Ono.

Wonderful, nice, easy on the ear and good looking to boot.

(I meant that last comment, literally.)

Kate Bush? Pah, young pretender.

Originally posted by Ousetunes
Yoko Ono.

Wonderful, nice, easy on the ear and good looking to boot.

(I meant that last comment, literally.)

Kate Bush? Pah, young pretender.

Incidentally, the problem with the Big Gob Yanky Females is that they don't know when to shut up.

No one disputes whether they can sing or not. It's more that there's no need to fit all twelve notes of the scale into every single bar.

In music, Less Is More.

And as for Mel C? C'mon, luv, the joke's getting a bit thin.

I started reading through this thread and the suggestions, thinking 'yeah, that one's good', 'Frank Sinatra - brilliant, but not the best, gotta be someone else', 'nah, wouldn't suggest her', plus was racking my brains to come up with a suggestion or two of my own.....then Freddie Mercury was mentioned. I'm not a huge Queen fan but will concur that Freddie had a fantastic voice, the power and the passion for each song shone through every time. He gets my vote.

Definitely Sinatra

Regarding Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston etc: They do have good voices, but they need to learn the art of understatement to be truly great singers. Singers like this always seem to feel the need to scream in every single song they record in order to prove they have a powerful voice and can hit the notes. The truly great singers don’t do this.

Originally posted by banesmabes
Regarding Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston etc: They do have good voices, but they need to learn the art of understatement to be truly great singers. Singers like this always seem to feel the need to scream in every single song they record in order to prove they have a powerful voice and can hit the notes. The truly great singers don’t do this.

Very true. :thumbsup: I seem to find myself in agreement with you a lot just lately. :)

Wouldn't consider Frank Sinatra a singer, more of a crooner, but still the Best.....also Ella, and Mario Lanza (for his time).

Originally posted by banesmabes
Regarding Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston etc: They do have good voices, but they need to learn the art of understatement to be truly great singers. Singers like this always seem to feel the need to scream in every single song they record in order to prove they have a powerful voice and can hit the notes. The truly great singers don’t do this.

I agree with you to a certain extent, Banesmabes.

Personally, I can't stand either Mariah Carey or Celine Dion as singers - I think they both make a dreadful caterwauling sound that bears no resemblance to what I'd call a good singing voice.

What they have is the Potential to be great singers - but they try far too hard. They end up trying to prove what great singers they are with every note - if they are so fantastically talented, why do they feel such a need to try to prove it?

Singing, particularly for Ms Carey, seems to be an exercise in showing off the range/power of her voice. In so doing, she removes all trace of emotion from her voice, so the words become meaningless. It's like listening to someone practising their scales. Pointless.

For truly great singers, see either Edith Piaf or Frank Sinatra.

StarSparkle

PS Rudeboy - I reckon Terry Hall's a good 'un too! :thumbsup:

Originally posted by StarSparkle


PS Rudeboy - I reckon Terry Hall's a good 'un too! :thumbsup:

A very underrated vocal talent. :clap:

Got to be 'ol Francis Albert,im afraid.Elvis,Freddie Mercury,Roy Orbison all push him close,but there was only one Old blue eyes:clap:

One of those questions almost impossible to answer........but if you take everything into account --------world-wide acclaim , length of recognition as a first-rate singer , live - "presence " , obstacles overcome on the way to the top , bizarre life-style [absolutely original ! ] , range of voice , devotion to the public , then there's only one answer :-----

Edith Piaf

For me its The Boss himeslf, Mr Springsteen.

He writes superb lyrics, has influenced many people, has a fantastic and unique voice, has been the top of his arena for over 30yrs and is the most amazing live act.

My fave, no question!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by the_rudeboy
[B]Take it you aint got the faintest idea about rudeboys and what we are ?

My comment on your user name was meant as a joke!

On the contrary, being a teenager of the 70's I have many happy memories of youth clubs and disco's playing ska music and I loved it. I don't have one particular taste in music. I have an interest in music in general. I would agree with you that Nat King Cole had a great voice, but as for Steve Balsamo -I have never heard of him. There are many Brilliant singers, each different in the style they sing so it would be difficult to narrow it down to just one. I just believe in credit where it's due, and having said that it's all down to individual choice.

Nat 'King' Cole.:thumbsup:

Originally posted by Anj1364
My comment on your user name was meant as a joke!

Ok thats fair enough. A lot of people just think it has some sexual inference or that I am a 'rude' boy. :hihi:

Originally posted by Anj1364
as for Steve Balsamo -I have never heard of him. [/B]


He starred in Jesus Christ Superstar (probably mid 90's) and had some tv exposure. As a result, my ex-wife and I went to see the show in London (not my usual thing) but I was completely blown away by the guys performance. Can only be described as awesome. Still find it hard to believe that he didn't become a mega-star.

The One & Only. (http://www.jacksonaction.com/othertours-filer/bad146.jpg) :thumbsup:

No one else comes close.

Originally posted by Lestat
[The One & Only :thumbsup:

No one else comes close.

yeah..top tune from chesney hawkes...but maybe there are better singers around :hihi:

Tim Buckley

Fred Neil

Jeff Buckley

Al Green

Donney Hathaway

PJ Harvey

Beverly Knight

Terry Callier

Van Morrison

Antony Hegarty (Antony & The Johnsons)

Nina Simone


Just some of the great singers I've enjoyed in my living room.

Originally posted by Norbert
PJ Harvey


Yes, I've been listening to my mid 90's music - I was listening to Rid Of Me - ''Lick my legs, I'm on fire, lick my legs of desire" - top track.

:)

Who is the greatest singer ever?

My personal preference, without a doubt is John Lennon.
He had the most beautiful / intense voice ever. It still amazes me how much he disliked his own singing voice :huh:

In terms of "vocal dexterity" and "range" it has to be
Freddie Mercury.

The worst is Robbie Williams.... A poor club turn! :gag:

Oh this is a hard one ...

Nat King Cole
Frank Sinatra
Aretha Franklin
Marvin Gaye

and the faaaabulous Freddie Mercury

Originally posted by peter41
Oh this is a hard one ...

Nat King Cole
Frank Sinatra
Aretha Franklin
Marvin Gaye

and the faaaabulous Freddie Mercury


thats a varied list:thumbsup: personally id go for van morrison or marvin gaye or maybe johnny cash

The thing about Nat 'King' Cole is that he wasn't a singer by trade. He was a nightclub pianist who had to do a vocal act one night because of a cock up with the regular singer, or so I am led to believe.

What a mellow voice though, and what a nice persona. :thumbsup: