Music's best voice [Archive]

Thewlis Dish

13 Oct 2003, 23:20

Tough to say, you could divide differents voices into different catergories etc. I'd find it hard to pick one...

For instance in the early nineties around the time Achtung Baby came out I thought Bono had the best voice in the world - he can still sing now, but not like he used to be able to.

I'd say Chris Martin from Coldplay, Neil Finn and Jack Johnson have awesome voices. Diesel is another who i think has extraordinary talent, but overall IMO the best voice in music at the moment is Rob Thomas from MB20. I used to absolutely love Michael Hutchence as well.

Of course I'm only looking at male voices, great topic tho :)

Milkman

13 Oct 2003, 23:23

My favs are Chris Cornell, Eric Clapton, Sting, Charlie Tuna, Ani Difranco, Stevie Wonder, Joe Cocker and Mike Patton.

mantis

13 Oct 2003, 23:37

Some of my Favs, Donovan, Tim Buckley, Meatloaf, Phil Collins, Woody & Arlo Guthrie.

JUBJUB

13 Oct 2003, 23:48

Rob Thomas from Matchbox Twenty has one of the best voices.Some local's with good voices are Farnsey,Neil Finn [yes he's a Kiwi] & Mark Seymour.

Stevo

14 Oct 2003, 00:32

For a great voice, it's hard to go past Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, even though he's past his prime. I also have numerous recordings by Hans Hotter and Dmitri Hvorostovsky, who are both amazing singers.

materamagic

14 Oct 2003, 00:50

deceased: Roy Orbison, Freddie Mercury, John Lennon, George Harrison, Elvis Presley, Michael Hutchence and Shirl Strauchan

alive: Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Jimmy Barnes, John Farnham, Lou Gramm, Olivia Newton John, Rob Thomas, Michael Jackson (or any other of the talented Jacksons, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, Tom Petty

to name but a few

pinkus maximus

14 Oct 2003, 01:02

Jeff Buckley

ozzult

14 Oct 2003, 01:57

Jack Johnson, Ben Harper both have great voices (have to see them live to really appreciate how good they are).

I like Ed Kowalcyz (I know that spelling is incorrect) voice as well.

Chris Cornell's voice isn't the best ever, but the beauty of his voice is it is like an instrument, it suits the music so well. Probably the most suitable voice/music combo when he was with Soundgarden.

DaveW

14 Oct 2003, 02:25

Originally posted by CowboyFromHell
But it would have to go to Mike Patton. Agreed. His range is awesome.

DaveW

14 Oct 2003, 02:28

Carlos

14 Oct 2003, 03:48

Originally posted by ozzult
Chris Cornell's voice isn't the best ever, but the beauty of his voice is it is like an instrument, it suits the music so well. Probably the most suitable voice/music combo when he was with Soundgarden.
You obviously haven't heard the Temple of the Dog album then. That is just about my favourite vocal performance of all time (and album for that matter). Can't find the right word to do it justice. "Say hello to heaven" and "Times of trouble" are inspirational beyond description.

The mind blowing thing about it for mine was that he wrote alot of the Badmotorfinger stuff at the same time. Anyone who has heard those 2 albums would understand why it is so noteworthy considering how different they are musically and vocally. "Slaves & bulldozers" makes the hairs on my neck stand up! Muthaf***er of a vocal!!

Corey Glover from Living Colour can really sing! And like Cornell, he can do it all just as powerfully live.

Sting is a guy who i could listen to sing all day.

Max Cavelera is just brutal.

Maynard from Tool/Pefect Circle has the ability to make me day dream when he sings.

Be remise not to also mention Brandon Boyd from Incubus. Very clean, but still with an attitude behind it.

smasha

14 Oct 2003, 07:52

Carlos you have great taste-couldn't agree more.

Porthos

14 Oct 2003, 09:46

Originally posted by pinkus maximus
Jeff Buckley We have a winner. Shame he's dead.

Patton and Cornell both rate highly for diversity, power and the ability to shift between so seamlessly in one song. Matthew Bellamy from MUSE is up there also.

Of the contemporary chicks, Christa Hughes, Beth Gibbons & Fiona Apple are on my list, though I'm sure I've missed a couple.

Zeke

14 Oct 2003, 09:57

In terms of pure singing genius - hard to go past Roy Orbison, he had technically one of the best recorded voices ever. He had an 8 octave range which is similar to Mariah Carey in her prime. Amazing stuff.

Locally I've been listening to Pete Murray (http://www.petemurray.com/home/index.do) who has a very smooth voice, good to see this type of talent coming through in Australia...

I could listen to Jack Johnson all day, Maynard from Tool makes me shiver, the chick from 'George' is angelic, Jeff Buckley is haunting, Thom York from radiohead makes me cry and Neil Finn is sublime... I could go on forever...

Uncle Steve

14 Oct 2003, 10:12

Best male singing voice:

Neil Diamond.

Yes, seriously.

Disgustipated

14 Oct 2003, 10:38

Maynard James Keenan from TOOL/APC

Easily the best atm.

Thom Yorke is great also.

Thewlis Dish

14 Oct 2003, 11:04

Originally posted by ozzult
Jack Johnson, Ben Harper both have great voices (have to see them live to really appreciate how good they are).

Did you see them perform together on tour this year? Caught them for the Adelaide show, absolute magic.

robbie67

14 Oct 2003, 11:26

Alive

Aretha Franklin
Michael Franti
Lou Reed
Beth form Portishead (surname escapes me at the moment)

Departed

Otis Reading
Billie Holliday
Ian Curtis
Marvin Gaye

Porthos

14 Oct 2003, 11:37

Originally posted by robbie67
Beth form Portishead (surname escapes me at the moment) Gibbons. She's great.

Ray Nolan

14 Oct 2003, 14:08

Jeff Buckley I reckon.

Braddock

14 Oct 2003, 16:02

I always get to these threads too late.
Jeff Buckley, Thom Yorke, Matt Bellamy, Ben Harper and Jonathan Donahue.

lioness

14 Oct 2003, 16:53

Male:
Carl Wilson
Paul McCartney
Frank Sinatra

Female:
Karen Carpenter
Aretha Franklin
Linda Ronstadt

Carlos

14 Oct 2003, 17:50

Originally posted by Porthos
Beth Gibbons. She's great.
Absolutely. Has that unique ability to really effect my mood or emotional state. At times, her voice gives me chills!!

Carlos

14 Oct 2003, 17:53

I went through a bit of a Dusty Springfield phase a little while ago. Some great tunes amongst it all, but what ties it all together is that gorgeous voice. Like melting chocolate: smooth and sweet!

Mog

14 Oct 2003, 18:58

But it would have to go to Mike Patton.

Amen to that. There is nothign the man can't do, from smooth on Lovage to squeals and screams in his solo stuff to just plain rock with Faith No More.

M29

14 Oct 2003, 19:31

Ringo.

Porthos

14 Oct 2003, 19:40

Originally posted by Carlos
Absolutely. Has that unique ability to really effect my mood or emotional state. At times, her voice gives me chills!! Get into the Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man album I was talking up on the music board before it got merged. Out Of Season is the album name.

Its so much more diverse - its practically 70s folk in some sections...my best CD of the past 12 months still.

Magpira

14 Oct 2003, 19:57

Maynard James Keenan is the best I have heard.

Chris Cornell is also another I really like.

I have always thought Robert Plant had a fair voice too.

Thewlis Dish

14 Oct 2003, 20:06

Freddie Mercury has about the best range I've ever heard, an absolutely brilliant vocallist. Love a bit of Van Morrison too :)

Robbie Williams - when he isn't being a tool and actually gets down to business, also IMO has a fantastic voice.

SydneyBomber

14 Oct 2003, 20:38

Patton (hands down)

Dani Filth
Trent Reznor
James La Brie (shame about the gay ballady stuff though!)
Chuck Billy

Hungry29

14 Oct 2003, 22:33

Chris Wilson

Mog

14 Oct 2003, 22:45

Dani Filth? If you think a faux gothboy who looks like Sophie Ellis Bextor and drinks wine with a straw to avoid smudging his lipstick has a good voice you need to get out more. I can do a fair approximation of his voice by making a high pitched whine whist breathing in...

GhostofJimJess

14 Oct 2003, 22:52

Chris Cornell
Mark Lanegan
Corey Glover
Christopher Marshall
Shaun Smith (Brad)

bragg

14 Oct 2003, 23:46

Originally posted by GhostofJimJess
Chris Cornell
Mark Lanegan
Corey Glover
Christopher Marshall
Shaun Smith (Brad)

You B#stard !!!! I need to get these posts in before you !!!!

Shaun Smith ( Brad , Satchel , Pigeonhead)
Mark Lanegan ( Field Songs CD is pure class)
Layne Staley
Wayne Coyne ( Flaming Lips)
Heather Nova
Joe Henry

Leaping Lindner

15 Oct 2003, 00:20

Dave Vanian and Ian Curtis for mine.

Rusty Brookes

15 Oct 2003, 09:12

Rob Tyner from the MC5.

SydneyBomber

15 Oct 2003, 10:05

Originally posted by Mog
Dani Filth? If you think a faux gothboy who looks like Sophie Ellis Bextor and drinks wine with a straw to avoid smudging his lipstick has a good voice you need to get out more. I can do a fair approximation of his voice by making a high pitched whine whist breathing in...

Maybe I do need to get out more, but his vocals IN THAT STYLE OF MUSIC surpass the others IMHO (Shagrath from Dimmu Borgir a close second however).

Anyway, Sophie Ellis Baxter is hot.
haha
:D

Mog

15 Oct 2003, 17:38

Maybe I do need to get out more, but his vocals IN THAT STYLE OF MUSIC surpass the others IMHO (Shagrath from Dimmu Borgir a close second however).

Try out Ihsahn from Emperor, or even Fenriz from Darkthrone, or Xasthur, Godkiller, Nazxul (Australian no less) or early Burzum... But I guess it depends what you're into.

Anyway, Sophie Ellis Baxter is hot.

Have you seen her blonde look in her new video? Makes her look a little better than Danni Filth.

Now that I think of it Hansi Kursch from Blind Guardian kicks some ar$e as a vocalist too.

SydneyBomber

15 Oct 2003, 20:12

Originally posted by Mog
Try out Ihsahn from Emperor, or even Fenriz from Darkthrone, or Xasthur, Godkiller, Nazxul (Australian no less) or early Burzum... But I guess it depends what you're into.

Have you seen her blonde look in her new video? Makes her look a little better than Danni Filth.

Now that I think of it Hansi Kursch from Blind Guardian kicks some ar$e as a vocalist too.

Ahh, a fellow man with taste - good to see.
(I'll just ignore that bit about Blind Guardian though!)
;)

Of course you missed Legion from Marduk though. Another awesome BM band.

Still think that Dani/Shaggers have the best ranges of those listed above (for BM of course), although I must point out that Emperor is probably my favourite of all of those bands.

Never really GOT Darkthrone to be honest. The whole grim grim grim thing never really did much for me (I think it was the production to be honest). I liked Soulside Journey (sounds like 'Left Hand Path' to me), but that was prior to their BM reinvention.

Burzum lost me with the whole aryan thing. Next.

I used to know some of the guys in Nazxul (and their manager) reasonably well a few years ago. Not a huge fan of their music, but good guys nonetheless.
Steve was a great drummer, and Lachlan was a production demon.
Did you know that they did their first album at 301 studios (where he worked by day producing people like deni hines! lol) at night when no-one knew they were there? Wonder what his colleagues would have thought?!

Ahh, satanic infiltration into the mainstream always brings a smile...
:D

ozzult

15 Oct 2003, 20:45

Originally posted by Petrie Dish
Did you see them perform together on tour this year? Caught them for the Adelaide show, absolute magic. Sure did. It was unreal. Seeing Jack Johnson again in October.

Santos L Helper

15 Oct 2003, 21:11

Tom Jones by a mile!

Thewlis Dish

15 Oct 2003, 22:55

Originally posted by ozzult
Sure did. It was unreal. Seeing Jack Johnson again in October.

Awesome, I was gonna go but I can't afford that and Chisel in December too!

Amanda Vanstone

15 Oct 2003, 23:20

John Lydon.

Stevo

15 Oct 2003, 23:50

Originally posted by SydneyBomber
Ahh, a fellow man with taste - good to see.
(I'll just ignore that bit about Blind Guardian though!)
;)

Of course you missed Legion from Marduk though. Another awesome BM band.

Still think that Dani/Shaggers have the best ranges of those listed above (for BM of course), although I must point out that Emperor is probably my favourite of all of those bands.

Never really GOT Darkthrone to be honest. The whole grim grim grim thing never really did much for me (I think it was the production to be honest). I liked Soulside Journey (sounds like 'Left Hand Path' to me), but that was prior to their BM reinvention.

Burzum lost me with the whole aryan thing. Next.

I used to know some of the guys in Nazxul (and their manager) reasonably well a few years ago. Not a huge fan of their music, but good guys nonetheless.
Steve was a great drummer, and Lachlan was a production demon.
Did you know that they did their first album at 301 studios (where he worked by day producing people like deni hines! lol) at night when no-one knew they were there? Wonder what his colleagues would have thought?!

Ahh, satanic infiltration into the mainstream always brings a smile...
:D

Emperor's "Prometheus" is to black metal what Beethoven's 9th symphony was to 19th century orchestral music. A vast and intimidating shadow. It's easily one of the best metal albums ever, if not the best ever.

Most black metal just plain blows though. Emperor had all the tricks, whereas most black metal bands don't. German band DornenReich have released three excellent black metal albums and are one of the better metal bands going around.

And Hansi Kursch has to be one of the better metal vocalists around. He's got all the tools. "Nightfall in Middle Earth" is a pinnacle of progressive power metal. Pity that "A Night at the Opera" was so ordinary.

As for growlers, it's hard to go past Mikael Stanne of Dark Tranquillity. I was rather disappointed that he didn't pursue his clean singing after "Projector". There were some very promising moments there. Mikael Akerfeldt often gets mentioned as a great singer because he does both clean and harsh vocals, but he's really a jack of all trades, master of none. His harsh vocals lack clarity and his clean vocals lack projection.

But as for metal, I'm still listening to Italian band Novembre and their most recent album "Novembrine Waltz". Staggering piece of work. Hovers in between doom and death metal to reach something quite unique. Fantastic drumming.

the fly

16 Oct 2003, 01:00

With female voices, I find it hard to go past Joan Baez and Cas Elliott, and in more recent times, Tori Amos and Katie Noonan.

male voices: There have been so many already mentioned such as Jeff Buckley, Neil Finn, Corey Glover, Thom Yorke, and one I'll add to the list is Tyrone Noonan.

jod23

16 Oct 2003, 05:11

For pure Rock n Roll.....Lennon and McCartney.

Michael Jackson also has an awesome voice....the only guy you can never mistake.

mouldy_bread

16 Oct 2003, 09:24

Maybe not the best, but my favourites..

Hope Sandoval
Jeff Buckley
Fiona Apple
Judy Garland
Morissey
Nick Drake

Brian Molko, I know most people would disagree but he's music's best voice in my world.

DEVO

16 Oct 2003, 10:04

Not many male voices I can think of, but Otis Redding is definately top of the list.

As for females, I find it hard to go past Kate Bush, Tori Amos and Ann Wilson (Heart). All three have a tremendous range, and can hold a note for some time. Deborah Harry also has a voice that suits her musical styles, whether it's pop, rock, reggae or jazz.

WKB

16 Oct 2003, 13:05

Well were do we start?

I guess it all comes down to you musical preference but I find it Impossible to choose between MELISSA, HOLLY VALANCE, THE RAPPING GUY FROM EAST17, SINITTA OR ANYONE FROM INDECENT OBSESSION.

lovebuzz

16 Oct 2003, 17:20

My fav's would have to be:

Ed Vedder
Layne Staley

SydneyBomber

16 Oct 2003, 19:04

Originally posted by Stevo
Emperor's "Prometheus" is to black metal what Beethoven's 9th symphony was to 19th century orchestral music. A vast and intimidating shadow. It's easily one of the best metal albums ever, if not the best ever.

My least favourite of theirs to be honest. Technically brilliant, but doesn't have the feeling that the others have (Anthems is their best IMO).

Most black metal just plain blows though. Emperor had all the tricks, whereas most black metal bands don't.

True - I'm more of a DM fan truth be told, and just cherry pick the BM scene. Maybe that's why I only really like the 'produced' and/or technically proficient BM.

German band DornenReich have released three excellent black metal albums and are one of the better metal bands going around.

Don't know 'em - will keep an eye out.

And Hansi Kursch has to be one of the better metal vocalists around. He's got all the tools. "Nightfall in Middle Earth" is a pinnacle of progressive power metal. Pity that "A Night at the Opera" was so ordinary.

Hate 'power metal'. sorry. It's just too homoerotic for my liking thanks! haha.

As for growlers, it's hard to go past Mikael Stanne of Dark Tranquillity. I was rather disappointed that he didn't pursue his clean singing after "Projector". There were some very promising moments there.

Lost interest after the 'Minds Eye'. The Gallery was brilliant though.

Mikael Akerfeldt often gets mentioned as a great singer because he does both clean and harsh vocals, but he's really a jack of all trades, master of none. His harsh vocals lack clarity and his clean vocals lack projection.

Like his harsh voice, but not really a fan. 'Damnation' had moments.

But as for metal, I'm still listening to Italian band Novembre and their most recent album "Novembrine Waltz". Staggering piece of work. Hovers in between doom and death metal to reach something quite unique. Fantastic drumming.
Only heard snippets - can't really comment.

Currently going through my 15th annual Coroner worship stage.
The best technical death band.
Ever.

(Not the greatest singer though if I get back to the thread at hand!)

GhostofJimJess

16 Oct 2003, 22:32

Originally posted by bragg
You B#stard !!!! I need to get these posts in before you !!!!

Sorry Bragg .... bloody selfish of me, I know.

Must admit, I've always been a bit of a fan of Keef's and Pete Townsend's voices too, despite their roles as 2IC in the vocals department.

mantis

16 Oct 2003, 23:10

To all the people nominating Jeff Buckley, wonder if you have heard his father Tim's voice, he was awesome, far superior to Jeff, was also better looking than Jeff, unfortunately, he also died tragically at the same age. :(

Mobbenfuhrer

18 Oct 2003, 00:21

I dunno who's alive and who's not anymore, but :

Louis Armstrong,
Ella Fitzgerald
Billie Holiday
Farnsey / Jack Jones
The bloke from Noiseworks
Chris Cornell
Lisa Loeb
Tori Amos
Kate Bush
Joan Armatrading
Billy Vera

fitzmantle

18 Oct 2003, 02:22

jeff Tweedy - Wilco
Sice - Boo Radleys
John Lennon - ?
Debbie Harry - Blondie

Darky

18 Oct 2003, 18:30

Originally posted by Stevo

And Hansi Kursch has to be one of the better metal vocalists around. He's got all the tools. "Nightfall in Middle Earth" is a pinnacle of progressive power metal. Pity that "A Night at the Opera" was so ordinary.

Great call. I nominated At Vance's Olli Hartman earlier in the thread, but Hansi's not far behind. But I thought "Nightfall..." was pretty bloody ordinary. Not as heavy as previous releases, and not as many proper "songs" as there should have been. "A Night At The Opera" was little better IMHO, with a return to the old formula but not the old form.

I reckon Hansi's voice is best on "Tales From The Twilight World" and "Imaginations...".

The two earliest albums were fantastic in terms of material, but very raw... it'd be interesting to see what they'd have sounded like with the improved production that the band had since "Tales...".

Mog

18 Oct 2003, 18:36

But I thought "Nightfall..." was pretty bloody ordinary. Not as heavy as previous releases, and not as many proper "songs" as there should have been. "A Night At The Opera" was little better IMHO, with a return to the old formula but not the old form.

That's my only gripe with Nightfall - the little bits of crap in between the songs. But that's only because I rather like the songs themselves and would have preferred more of them.

Never really GOT Darkthrone to be honest. The whole grim grim grim thing never really did much for me (I think it was the production to be honest). I liked Soulside Journey (sounds like 'Left Hand Path' to me), but that was prior to their BM reinvention.

Black metal for me is as much about atmosphere as aggression or anything else. Darkthrone do that fairly well, as did Varg from Burzum before he became a tool.

Darky

18 Oct 2003, 19:30

Originally posted by Mog

Black metal for me is as much about atmosphere as aggression or anything else. Darkthrone do that fairly well, as did Varg from Burzum before he became a tool.

I don't reckon anyone could beat Burzum for eerieness. Then again Count Grizzy was a bit of a wacker! These days there's a German band called Nocte Obducta who do it pretty well, but aren't into all the Collingwood face paint and stabbing their mates to death. :D

Mog

18 Oct 2003, 20:27

There's a Swedish band called Abruptum that do a good job of atmospheric and creepy. Plus long song titles in latin...

Goldenblue

21 Oct 2003, 02:06

Male: Freddy Mercury

Female: Marcella Detroit

Darealrath

21 Oct 2003, 22:10

Michael Stipe, Chris Cornell, Thom Yorke, Noel Gallagher, Chris Isaak, Paul McCartney.

Jabso

21 Oct 2003, 22:24

Phil Jamieson can sing a variety of different styles.
Josh Homme is one of my fav's and Greg Graffin is pretty good too.

Noddy Holder

21 Oct 2003, 22:27

Even though I'm not a huge fan of their music I think both Marie Friedricsson and Per Gessle from Roxette have awesome voices.

Van Morrison would probably get my vote for men and Bonnie Tyler for women.

Darealrath

21 Oct 2003, 22:43

Originally posted by DonFan

Van Morrison would probably get my vote for men

Great call. He's a legend.

GhostofJimJess

24 Oct 2003, 23:02

Must also drop in Jeremy Oxley (Sunnyboys) and Perry Farrell (Janes Addiction) too ....

SonOfScray

24 Oct 2003, 23:08

Freddie Mercury for mine

Mr Chuckles

25 Oct 2003, 00:52

Gruff Rhys
Jeff Tweedy
Thom Yorke
Michael Stipe
Freddie Mercury
Paul Simon
Brett Anderson
Mark Lanegan (Unbelievable at the QOTSA gigs this year)
Chris Cornell (Not really a fan of Soundgarden/Audioslave, but must admit his voice is amazing)
Paul Banks (Interpol)
and I'm sure many more that I can't think of right now.

But I notice no-one's mentioned any hip hop artists, and surely you've got to appreciate a great rap vocalist too. Some of my faves:

Chuck D
The dude from Jurassic 5 with the really deep voice (name: no idea!!)
2pac
Snoop Dogg
Del Tha Funky Homosapien
Jay-Z
Eminem (he deserves his popularity - the man has talent).

CowboyFromHell

25 Oct 2003, 17:44

Originally posted by WKB
, THE RAPPING GUY FROM EAST17,

Bloody oath!

Tony Mortimer, the KING of Deadpan Rapping! :D

And SydneyBomber - Shagrath is slightly better than Dani Filth. I find I can listen to him more than Dani. Don't ask me why, I just find Shagrath's more convincing!

topjars

28 Oct 2003, 16:54

Freddy Mercury by a street

B2..

29 Oct 2003, 12:20

Art Garfunkel or David Crosby.

Hungry29

29 Oct 2003, 14:39

I can't believe no one else has metioned Chris Wilson. If he is ever at a venue near you, as Molly would say - "Do yourself a favour" - and get along and see him.

You WILL NOT be disapointed!

lioness

30 Oct 2003, 13:50

Originally posted by mantis
To all the people nominating Jeff Buckley, wonder if you have heard his father Tim's voice, he was awesome, far superior to Jeff, was also better looking than Jeff, unfortunately, he also died tragically at the same age. :(

I've heard him before, first time was at the end of a Monkees episode, and I heard a bit more. He had a nice voice. :)

Booze Hound

30 Oct 2003, 18:56

Female:

Ella Fitzgerald by a distance.

After her

Billie Holliday
Aretha Franklin
Etta James

Mobbenfuhrer, good call on Joan Armatrading - a very underated singer.

And a couple more underated:

Roberta Flack
Ricky Lee Jones

Male:

Hard to go past Freddie Mecury. When it as announced that he would be working with Monseratt Cable (sp) on 'Barcelona' the world of opera was incensed. How could she team up with this mere 'pop' singer! Then they heard him.

Others:

Stevie Wonder
Art Garfunkel (Simon was by far the greater all round talent but Art had an amazing voice)
Sam Cooke
Tom Jones
Solomom Burke (hugely underated talent)

Anyone who considers the music of Lennon and McCartney 'Rock and Roll' needs their head read. Two weak, reedy voices as well.