Best songs by 'older' singers

[johnnyhoward]

Often when singers reach a certain age (about 50) their voice starts to deteriorate sharply. However, it adds a certain rugged quality and dark edge to songs in some cases.

Johnny Cash - Hurt
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Bob Dylan - Love Sick
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Paul McCartney - Jenny Wren
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Lou Reed (with the Killers) - Tranquilize
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[scooterb]

Hurt by Johnny Cash was the first song that sprung to my head.

Bob Dylan and Robert Plant are still producing good stuff.

 

[sherrinorburley]

Agree with those already mentioned.

John Lee Hooker

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George competes with a growling Sax and delivers

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Marianne Faithful

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[omit]

marianne fathfull wasn't old. her voice was shattered after years of substance abuse. thanks rolling stones

fwiw

Tom waits - road to peace

 

[HigginsHawk]

Cash was the first one that jumped into my mind as well. Leonard Cohen still sounds very good and some of Sinatra's best work was done just before passed away.

 

[chesson]

Agree with those already mentioned.

Marianne Faithful

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Saw her a few years ago. Get's better with age.

Tom Waits has sounded the same since his late 20's.

Johnny Cash sound's tougher in his later years.

 

[materamagic]

Stevie Wonder's rendition of his song at MJ's tribute was extremely moving and a masterfully sung.

After years of straining his voice Tom Petty has now settled into a deep and auntentic vocal style with alot of character and emotion. Check out his last solo album, Highway Companion.

Johnny Cash finished his career very strongly. I love his albums on the American label. Rusty Cage, Personal Jesus, Hurt, etc...

And for sheer versatility you still can't go past Paul McCartney. On his last studio release, Memory Almost Full, he is at his most adventerous, vocally form mine since his Ram release all those years ago.

 

[raskolnikov]

I went to a Van Morrison concert in Toowoomba a couple of years ago. He still sounds very good, especially the songs 'Sweet Thing' and 'Have I Told You Lately'.

 

[hawk for 37]

A trip to the IMAX to see "Shine A Light" by the Stones would be evidence to top all others mentioned in this thread.

Micky Jagger is still the man.

 

[M29]

Anything by Paul Weller.

 

[Herne Hill Hammer]

Tom Jones, an amazing voice.

 

[johnnyhoward]

Agree with all those mentioned. Paul Weller's voice sounds more soulful now than it did in the 80s - listen to the song "Have You Made Up Your Mind" from his latest album.

Al Green is another that springs to mind, his album from last year is pretty impressive.