What do you consider to be a 'great voice / singer'..?

[Anna Woman von NRW]

Michael Stipe
Tom Petty
Tim McIIlrath
Eddie Vedder
Tim Booth
Tori Amos
Adele
Amy Winehouse
Sinead O' Connor

[ruckedout]

Joe Strummer
Morrissey
Wattie Buchan
Jake Burns
Hugh Cornwell
Keith Flint

Ella Eyre

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

[Shush]

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 

[Master Ray]

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.

[Rusco]

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.

[Darkness]

Just a few of my faves.
Chris Cornell
Dave Vanian
Glenn Danzig
Greg Graffin
Bruce Dickinson
Paul Di'anno
Messiah Marcolin

[Johnz]

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

[Amandistan]

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. 
I will compose a long list and post later.

[Master Ray]

Listened to a bit of The Pretenders earlier today and I think that Chrissie Hynde is my favourite female vocalist ever...

[Shush]

Hynde is definitely up there with the best vocalists. When she sings she makes it sound so effortless, just a pure natural singing voice.

[Anna Woman von NRW]

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.

[Master Ray]

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.

[Pol]

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

[lotus]

Judy Driscoll
Sandy Danny
Maddie Prior
Jacqui Mc Shee
Hazel O Connor
Dusty Springfield
and, and ...

[Master Ray]

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