My Top 5...Greatest Singers
I must stress - this is who I think are the greatest singers (from popular music), not necessarily my favourites.
Ok, so let's begin:
1/ Bob Marley - probably a controversial no.1, but let me tell you: there is something in the man's voice that I have never heard (felt) before in anyone else. I really can't explain it other than there is truly something otherworldly about Bob Marley. He's technically great, sure, and can move you emotionally with the simplest of ease. He can evoke pain, joy and every emotion in between with just one word and doesn't have to overblow to achieve it. But, again, I have to say it - there is a quality to Marley's voice that is magical, that hits you in the heart, that is best experienced, rather than analysed.
2/ Eva Cassidy - I only recently discovered the beauty that is Eva Cassidy's voice. If I could only describe her voice in one word it would be: pure. Her singing is totally without pretention, vocal tricks; it's simply beautiful. I don't think I've heard a voice that could be as powerful and ballsy in one song, then achingly delicate in the next. Whether it's heartfelt blues or a sweet ballad, every word she sings is powerful and meaningingful. And listen to her version of 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' and tell me is isn't the most moving performance you've ever heard.
3/ Elvis Presley - more than just gyrating hips and looks that made girls swoon, Elvis the Pelvis had an incredible voice. Soulful, powerful, sexy, evocative - and totally unique. Could belt out a bluesy ballad as easily as he could croon a sultry ballad.
4/ Aretha Franklin - the most powerful female voice of all time? You bet. But she did it wth such ease and without having to burst a blood vessel or using vocal tricks (Idol anyone?). Technically stunning, hugely influential, if you wanna learn how to sing soul properly, study Ms. Franklin - she's the best.
5/ Freddie Mercury - in my mind, the finest pop/rock singer of all time. He had an incredible operatic quality, but fused it with a growling, cheeky rock vocal that could move you with its soul, stun you with its theatrics - and all in the one song, sometimes within the space of a few seconds.
Honourable mentions: Stevie Wonder; Dusty Springfield; Michael Jackson; (and many more that I just can't think of right at the moment...).
Ok, so let's begin:
1/ Bob Marley - probably a controversial no.1, but let me tell you: there is something in the man's voice that I have never heard (felt) before in anyone else. I really can't explain it other than there is truly something otherworldly about Bob Marley. He's technically great, sure, and can move you emotionally with the simplest of ease. He can evoke pain, joy and every emotion in between with just one word and doesn't have to overblow to achieve it. But, again, I have to say it - there is a quality to Marley's voice that is magical, that hits you in the heart, that is best experienced, rather than analysed.
2/ Eva Cassidy - I only recently discovered the beauty that is Eva Cassidy's voice. If I could only describe her voice in one word it would be: pure. Her singing is totally without pretention, vocal tricks; it's simply beautiful. I don't think I've heard a voice that could be as powerful and ballsy in one song, then achingly delicate in the next. Whether it's heartfelt blues or a sweet ballad, every word she sings is powerful and meaningingful. And listen to her version of 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' and tell me is isn't the most moving performance you've ever heard.
3/ Elvis Presley - more than just gyrating hips and looks that made girls swoon, Elvis the Pelvis had an incredible voice. Soulful, powerful, sexy, evocative - and totally unique. Could belt out a bluesy ballad as easily as he could croon a sultry ballad.
4/ Aretha Franklin - the most powerful female voice of all time? You bet. But she did it wth such ease and without having to burst a blood vessel or using vocal tricks (Idol anyone?). Technically stunning, hugely influential, if you wanna learn how to sing soul properly, study Ms. Franklin - she's the best.
5/ Freddie Mercury - in my mind, the finest pop/rock singer of all time. He had an incredible operatic quality, but fused it with a growling, cheeky rock vocal that could move you with its soul, stun you with its theatrics - and all in the one song, sometimes within the space of a few seconds.
Honourable mentions: Stevie Wonder; Dusty Springfield; Michael Jackson; (and many more that I just can't think of right at the moment...).
posted by BrettMcBean at 5:16 AM
2 Comments:
hmmmm....I would have expected that Shannon Noll might have rated a mention on this list....
hehehehehe
Well The Noll is in a league of his own - I don't quite know what kind of a league that is, but I know he's the only one in it!
Post a Comment
<< Home