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General Category => Everything Else => Topic started by: Master Ray on May 13, 2015, 09:10:05 PM

Title: What do you consider to be a 'great voice / singer'..?
Post by: Master Ray on May 13, 2015, 09:10:05 PM
... in terms of music, eh?

The conventional opinion seems, in this age of endless TV 'talent'  ::) shows seems to be some chick who warbles like Maria Carey, all over the octaves, or some lad whose been studying Robbie Williams for the last decade...

That isn't great vocals.  For me, great vocals are about the stuff that comes from the heart, regardless of what your vocal chords can do, and how it resonates in the ears of the listener (if great lyrics are also forthcoming, so much the better...)

John Lydon
Tom Waits
Nick Cave
Shane McGowen
Iggy Pop
Henry Rollins
Ian Curtis
Leonard Cohen
Robert Smith

and yes, I'll include Mr Sullivan on this list, even though he does have a pretty fine vocal range... aint gonna get him on the X Factor, though!


that was a joke...







Title: Re: What do you consider to be a 'great voice / singer'..?
Post by: lotus on May 13, 2015, 09:35:57 PM
Are you bored?

A great voice - to sing pop or metal or classic?

to me, a great voice has something to do with the song I have to sing  - opera, musical, pop or metal, live unplugged or in a studio ...

Unplugged and fine  - that`s what I need for my vote for doing plus or minus
Title: Re: What do you consider to be a 'great voice / singer'..?
Post by: Master Ray on May 13, 2015, 10:06:28 PM
Yes, as it happens, I am a bit bored...

I'm talking about voices that really move me when I am angry or sad or lonely or, yes, bored...

Didn't know you were a singer, mate, so looking forward to some further exposition!
Title: Re: What do you consider to be a 'great voice / singer'..?
Post by: Pol on May 14, 2015, 12:46:41 PM
Some nominations off the top of my head

Annie Lennox
Simon Neil
Shirley Manson
Corey Taylor
Serj Tankian
Jello Biafra
Dani Filth
bono
Skin
Josh Homme
Till Lindeman
Some brilliant singers , some unique voices
Title: Re: What do you consider to be a 'great voice / singer'..?
Post by: Heno on May 14, 2015, 03:34:52 PM
JUSTIN
Title: Re: What do you consider to be a 'great voice / singer'..?
Post by: Pol on May 14, 2015, 06:07:01 PM
You into the darkness heno lol
Title: Re: What do you consider to be a 'great voice / singer'..?
Post by: Heno on May 14, 2015, 06:14:29 PM
very dark mate
Title: Re: What do you consider to be a 'great voice / singer'..?
Post by: Ron B on May 14, 2015, 06:25:27 PM


 In No particular order

 Greg Lake. (E.L.P)

 Justin Hayward (Moody Blues)

 Ian Gillan ( Deep Purple)

 Ronnie James Dio.

 Robert Plant

 Peter Murphy

 Paul Rodgers.

 There are probably a lot more that I just can't think of now but these guys as the saying goes have the pipes. 8)
Title: Re: What do you consider to be a 'great voice / singer'..?
Post by: Rusco on May 14, 2015, 08:49:09 PM
Frankie Stubbs (Leatherface)

Brendan Perry (Dead Can Dance)

Ian Gillan (Deep Purple)

Carl McCoy (Fields of Nephilim)

Michael Gira (Swans)

Kauko Röyhkä (Kauko Röyhkä)

Bjork (Bjork)

Justin Sullivan (NMA)

 I agree, Sullivan's voice have changed since what it sounded earlier. It's a way more like lower and I think he pronounces s-letters differently nowadays. Not sure if it's due to mixing. If you listen to T&C and f.e F* Texas you can hear the difference.
Title: Re: What do you consider to be a 'great voice / singer'..?
Post by: Master Ray on May 14, 2015, 09:00:59 PM
Mr Sullivan can still bring the goods live unlike certain other 'classic' artists who are still charging huge bucks despite the fact that they can't sing worth shit anymore... yes, McCartney and John, I'm looking at you...

 ::)
Title: Re: What do you consider to be a 'great voice / singer'..?
Post by: Rusco on May 14, 2015, 09:14:00 PM
Yea, you're right. Worst ever example is probably Geoff Tate from QueensRyche. He sounded nearly like an angel but nowadays rather an ogre...  ::)
Title: Re: What do you consider to be a 'great voice / singer'..?
Post by: Bunny on May 14, 2015, 09:41:36 PM
Frankie Stubbs (Leatherface)

Brendan Perry (Dead Can Dance)

Ian Gillan (Deep Purple)

Carl McCoy (Fields of Nephilim)

Michael Gira (Swans)

Kauko Röyhkä (Kauko Röyhkä)

Bjork (Bjork)

Justin Sullivan (NMA)

 I agree, Sullivan's voice have changed since what it sounded earlier. It's a way more like lower and I think he pronounces s-letters differently nowadays. Not sure if it's due to mixing. If you listen to T&C and f.e F* Texas you can hear the difference.
Interesting you mentionec Brendan Perry. Didnt really like his voice. Lisa Gerrard however.....

Ok
Mr Sullivan
Justin Currie
Kelly Jones
Judith Holofernes...German band Wir sind Helden
Corey Taylor

Bit contentious to sum but pleasing to my lug 'oles
Title: Re: What do you consider to be a 'great voice / singer'..?
Post by: Rusco on May 14, 2015, 10:16:53 PM
Yea, I see what you mean. I thought it for a while before putting his name but I somehow like that monotonic sound Brendan has. It's same with Michael Gira's voice.
Title: Re: What do you consider to be a 'great voice / singer'..?
Post by: Red on May 15, 2015, 08:32:13 PM
A few of my choices

Fish

Paul Heaton

Robert Plant

Alex Turner ( when he still sang with his Sheffield accent :) :)  )

Bjork

Title: Re: What do you consider to be a 'great voice / singer'..?
Post by: Master Ray on May 15, 2015, 08:35:11 PM
Love the Fish reference, Red, big fan of the man.  He's had serious vocal problems over the last few years and doesn't have the range he used to, but his live presence is terrific.
Title: Re: What do you consider to be a 'great voice / singer'..?
Post by: Anna Woman von NRW on May 15, 2015, 09:02:17 PM
Michael Stipe
Tom Petty
Tim McIIlrath
Eddie Vedder
Tim Booth
Tori Amos
Adele
Amy Winehouse
Sinead O' Connor
Title: Re: What do you consider to be a 'great voice / singer'..?
Post by: ruckedout on May 15, 2015, 09:23:35 PM
Joe Strummer
Morrissey
Wattie Buchan
Jake Burns
Hugh Cornwell
Keith Flint

Ella Eyre

Lethal Bizzle and Amanda Mellid doing Fester Skank- Live Lounge ---- Amazing!



Title: Re: What do you consider to be a 'great voice / singer'..?
Post by: Shush on May 15, 2015, 09:32:54 PM
Rather than do a list, I would like to pick out Amy Winehouse.

I recently purchased her last album "Lioness" On there can be found her original versions of some of the songs that were beefed up a bit for "Back to Black" such as "Wake up alone". She on the original versions is really able to use her vocal abilities to its fullest. He cover of "The girl from Ipanerma" is completely addictive.

Its no secret that as a vocalist she was something special, but on "Lioness" it really shows.

Such a shame she joined the "27 club". I think she could have been a successful crooner for decades to come  :(
Title: Re: What do you consider to be a 'great voice / singer'..?
Post by: Master Ray on May 15, 2015, 09:55:53 PM
Ms Winehouse was awesome.

Did you ever see a TV show where she went to somewhere obscure and did a stripped down show and people were talking about how great it was?  Think it was on the BBC.  Love to see it again.

Never heard Lioness.  Must get on that one.
Title: Re: What do you consider to be a 'great voice / singer'..?
Post by: Rusco on May 15, 2015, 10:21:15 PM
Rather than do a list, I would like to pick out Amy Winehouse. [...]

I'd pick out Adele. Ok, I know she's a mainstream artist selling thousands of albums every week and hitting the charts now and then. Not that I would buy her records and it's not personally my stuff, but I think she has something interesting with her voice. Like she'd be a way anxious, angry or something. It gives more intensity to her songs.
Title: Re: What do you consider to be a 'great voice / singer'..?
Post by: Darkness on May 16, 2015, 10:24:22 AM
Just a few of my faves.
Chris Cornell
Dave Vanian
Glenn Danzig
Greg Graffin
Bruce Dickinson
Paul Di'anno
Messiah Marcolin
Title: Re: What do you consider to be a 'great voice / singer'..?
Post by: Johnz on May 16, 2015, 11:00:11 AM
Love the Fish reference, Red, big fan of the man.  He's had serious vocal problems over the last few years and doesn't have the range he used to, but his live presence is terrific.

Totally agree. I hear Weltschmerz will be his last album.

Apart from the ones already mentioned I can think of:

Mark Lanegan
Shannon Hoon (Blind Melon)
David Gilmour
Title: Re: What do you consider to be a 'great voice / singer'..?
Post by: Amandistan on May 16, 2015, 02:11:44 PM
Amy Whinehouse was wonderful. When I was young,I would never tell people that I liked her music because it was not so cool to like something so mainstream if you were more into alternative music. I will admit to listening to AW in the closet.

Now, it's stupid when I think back.

Also I will add Frank Turner to the list.
Sometimes Tom Waits when he is not purposely trying to sing in a crazy manner, he can be really soft and emotive.
Joe Strummer as well

Justin Sullivan but that's the obvious answer for most of us in here.  :D
I will compose a long list and post later.
Title: Re: What do you consider to be a 'great voice / singer'..?
Post by: Master Ray on May 18, 2015, 08:45:51 PM
Listened to a bit of The Pretenders earlier today and I think that Chrissie Hynde is my favourite female vocalist ever...

Title: Re: What do you consider to be a 'great voice / singer'..?
Post by: Shush on May 18, 2015, 09:55:15 PM
Hynde is definitely up there with the best vocalists. When she sings she makes it sound so effortless, just a pure natural singing voice.
Title: Re: What do you consider to be a 'great voice / singer'..?
Post by: Anna Woman von NRW on May 20, 2015, 06:07:48 PM
It's quite interesting to see the range of artists folks are putting forward. Some I'd agree with, others I wouldn't and some I don't know.

I think for me it boils down to :  Do I believe the vocalist? Obviously there has to me some musical and lyrical connection but ultimately does it feel to me that the vocalist is singing from the heart. Are they conveying an emotion/story etc. in a convincing way that I can relate to.

Of course it could be that they are just a really good actor/actress and are playing a role very well in the same way an actress playing a part superbly becomes that character. I don't think that matters (and if it does then I'm not sure there would be (m)any names on the list) . If it feels real to the listener then it is real.

To be clear I am not talking about technical ability but just about feeling because for me that is what makes a great voice/singer.
Title: Re: What do you consider to be a 'great voice / singer'..?
Post by: Master Ray on May 21, 2015, 07:39:33 PM
It's quite interesting to see the range of artists folks are putting forward. Some I'd agree with, others I wouldn't and some I don't know.

I think for me it boils down to :  Do I believe the vocalist? Obviously there has to me some musical and lyrical connection but ultimately does it feel to me that the vocalist is singing from the heart. Are they conveying an emotion/story etc. in a convincing way that I can relate to.

Of course it could be that they are just a really good actor/actress and are playing a role very well in the same way an actress playing a part superbly becomes that character. I don't think that matters (and if it does then I'm not sure there would be (m)any names on the list) . If it feels real to the listener then it is real.

To be clear I am not talking about technical ability but just about feeling because for me that is what makes a great voice/singer.

You got my original point spot on there, Anna.  It isn't about the octaves, it's about the emotion.

Look at Shane McGowen.  Can barely 'sing' according to the standard convention, but he's just perfect for what he does.
Title: Re: What do you consider to be a 'great voice / singer'..?
Post by: Pol on May 21, 2015, 07:53:07 PM
I went for a few people different from the normal Serj Tankian especially is so different to most other singers My daughter is a big cradle of filth fan so i thought Dani deserved a mention
Title: Re: What do you consider to be a 'great voice / singer'..?
Post by: lotus on June 08, 2015, 07:37:07 PM
Judy Driscoll
Sandy Danny
Maddie Prior
Jacqui Mc Shee
Hazel O Connor
Dusty Springfield
and, and ...


Title: Re: What do you consider to be a 'great voice / singer'..?
Post by: Master Ray on June 10, 2015, 08:29:02 PM
I'd like to add James Allan, from the brilliant, briefly VERY fashionable and now kinda forgotten band (all in the space of a few years) Glasvegas (their last album apparently sold only 9000 copies... ouch.)

I love a singer who isn't afraid to sing in their natural dialect, in this case a thick Scottish accent that might be impenetrable to some...

Here's 'It's My Own Cheating Heart That Makes Me Cry'... love this tune, the lyrics are fantastic...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJiRbj-2ilA


Title: Re: What do you consider to be a 'great voice / singer'..?
Post by: Pol on June 10, 2015, 10:11:32 PM
Quiet enjoyed that ray especially when the guitars kick in