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Not The Best Vocalists…
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Good folks: Let’s face it, not every singer can boast the delectable velvety vocals of the late Luther Vandross nor the beautiful range of Barbra Streisand.
Having said this, a super singing voice is not always exclusive to a fantastic artist.
With this in mind, please list for me singers who, whilst not perhaps possessing the greatest of singing voices, do nonetheless make great songs in your opinion, with what they’ve got  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"McCartney, Lennon, Presley,Barry White,
Bruce Springsteen."
.
Can I disagree with Presley..although his songs are not ones I'd listen too..I think he had an extraordinarily beautiful singing voice..not my cup of tea as I say..  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"McCartney, Lennon, Presley,Barry White,
Bruce Springsteen..
Can I disagree with Presley..although his songs are not ones I'd listen too..I think he had an extraordinarily beautiful singing voice..not my cup of tea as I say.. "
Unless he means Reg Presley of The Troggs 
Bess x |
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"Another vote for Tom Waits "
I listened to his book-style box set the other day, he's actually better than a lot people might think. He can actually sing falsetto when he wants to, and hit a good range.
The most obvious candidate for me is Kris Kristofferson, ie in terms of a class act (as an performer and songwriter) who has a truly terrible range.
pt
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"Mick Jagger"
Honestly, I think he'll win vocal of the year for their latest single... you watch.
I can't get it out of my head too, it keep growing on me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mEC54eTuGw
pt |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I think different singers sound better or worse at different times through their life..
Vocalists such as Lionel Ritchie, Diana Ross and Elton John were such powerhouses in the 80's and 90 but now they are older should give it up imo ..
Elton definitely made the right decision |
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"Can't believe the Paul Heaton votes. Incredible singer especially live.
For me: Mick Jagger. Awful live.
Shaun Ryder too. Saying that I saw him last year and he was better."
Shaun Ryder was always awful live. When he came to Newcastle back in the day with the Mondays he had to read the lyrics to Step On off a sheet of paper lol |
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By *ullyMan
over a year ago
Near Clacton |
McCartney, Lennon, Presley,Barry White,
Bruce Springsteen..
Can I disagree with Presley..although his songs are not ones I'd listen too..I think he had an extraordinarily beautiful singing voice..not my cup of tea as I say..
Each to there own of course but he always sounded flat to me, I didn't like him as a guy either really not my type. |
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"Bernie Sumner from New Order. Great on recorded stuff poor live  "
I agree,but I give him a bit of slack,as he was never a natural vocalist or a vocalist full stop was he, when Ian Curtis died,they didn't feel they could carry on with Joy Division without him,and the electro scene was just taking off,that's when they formed new order,and he stepped up,as you don't have to be a mega singer with electro tunes,there's a documentary on BBC iPlayer, hacienda the club that shook Britain,they tell the story in it,and more |
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"Good folks: Let’s face it, not every singer can boast the delectable velvety vocals of the late Luther Vandross nor the beautiful range of Barbra Streisand.
Having said this, a super singing voice is not always exclusive to a fantastic artist.
With this in mind, please list for me singers who, whilst not perhaps possessing the greatest of singing voices, do nonetheless make great songs in your opinion, with what they’ve got "
Tom waits
Jonny cash
Sade
Adele |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Shane McGowan is an obvious contender if he’s not been mentioned already.
Bob Dylan vocally is terrible but you couldn’t have it any other way.
Janis Joplin was a bag of cats too but… it works. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I’m not the greatest vocalist by a loooong shot but whenever we do a gig I do get people coming up to me saying they’ve loved what we’ve done (although they may well be complimenting the rest of the band ) |
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"Good folks: Let’s face it, not every singer can boast the delectable velvety vocals of the late Luther Vandross nor the beautiful range of Barbra Streisand.
Having said this, a super singing voice is not always exclusive to a fantastic artist.
With this in mind, please list for me singers who, whilst not perhaps possessing the greatest of singing voices, do nonetheless make great songs in your opinion, with what they’ve got "
Toshi of X Japan mind you having to switch between Japanese and English mid songs is a talent in and of its self I wouldn't want any other vocalist for the band & I'm glad I got to see what is likely to be there last ever show atleast in the UK |
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To be fair, every one except "The Best Vocalist" is "Not The Best"... but some of those mentioned on here really surprise me.
With the exception of a very small few, anyone who was about "Pre Autotune" is going to be a competent singer. And whilst it's common for people to like "different" as a general rule, people don't like those who just sound awful, regardless of how good the songs are.
Cal |
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By *ost SockMan
over a year ago
West Wales and Cardiff |
"Frank Sinatra
Bowie
Dylan
Frank Sinatra?!?!?!!!!!
Sinatra was a terrible human being the guy could sing - his phrasing was immaculate. "
I occasionally love a bit of old Frank (though he was terrible). There’s a pretty widely held view, even amongst fans, that he often sang slightly flat.
I can’t say I’ve noticed, but it’s definitely a view that’s out there.
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"Frank Sinatra
Bowie
Dylan
Frank Sinatra?!?!?!!!!!
Sinatra was a terrible human being the guy could sing - his phrasing was immaculate.
I occasionally love a bit of old Frank (though he was terrible). There’s a pretty widely held view, even amongst fans, that he often sang slightly flat.
I can’t say I’ve noticed, but it’s definitely a view that’s out there.
"
I remember reading an article about someone inexperienced being part of a Sinatra recording session and pointing out that he was singing flat. Sinatra wasn't happy, insisted on hearing the playback. The person was sure they were about to get fired. Sinatra heard the vocal back and agreed that he was flat so it turned out OK, but Sinatra was not someone you wanted to piss off so it could have gone badly wrong. |
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By *ost SockMan
over a year ago
West Wales and Cardiff |
"To be fair, every one except "The Best Vocalist" is "Not The Best"... but some of those mentioned on here really surprise me.
With the exception of a very small few, anyone who was about "Pre Autotune" is going to be a competent singer. And whilst it's common for people to like "different" as a general rule, people don't like those who just sound awful, regardless of how good the songs are.
Cal"
I think it depends on style and context a lot.
I’ve got Afrobeat records where, the singing, the flutes, the guitars are out of tune. For me, it often doesn’t matter, as it adds to the rawness of the music. If it’s a soul ballad or opera, where the singer is aiming for a great vocal I often struggle with it.
Much as I love Bill Withers, “Lovely Day” is a struggle! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Frank Sinatra
Bowie
Dylan
Frank Sinatra?!?!?!!!!!
Sinatra was a terrible human being the guy could sing - his phrasing was immaculate.
I occasionally love a bit of old Frank (though he was terrible). There’s a pretty widely held view, even amongst fans, that he often sang slightly flat.
I can’t say I’ve noticed, but it’s definitely a view that’s out there.
"
Matt Monro was a better singer than Frank |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Kate Bush
Are people just being silly now? How many people can ever have a stab a Wuthering Heights let alone sing like her?
Exactly my thoughts too."
..
Kate Bush sang a song, didn't chart ,(if I could remember title I would say) on top of the pops,..which she sang terribly..sounded like she'd stepped on a cat that was in a bad mood...
Someone like Sandy Denny could song any song in tune/ key..and she smoked 2 million cigarettes a day..
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By *ogNMuseCouple
over a year ago
Surrey |
"To be fair, every one except "The Best Vocalist" is "Not The Best"... but some of those mentioned on here really surprise me.
With the exception of a very small few, anyone who was about "Pre Autotune" is going to be a competent singer. And whilst it's common for people to like "different" as a general rule, people don't like those who just sound awful, regardless of how good the songs are.
Cal"
On your last point - I’ve really never understood how people can listen to Dylan! |
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"Frank Sinatra
Bowie
Dylan
Frank Sinatra?!?!?!!!!!
Sinatra was a terrible human being the guy could sing - his phrasing was immaculate.
I occasionally love a bit of old Frank (though he was terrible). There’s a pretty widely held view, even amongst fans, that he often sang slightly flat.
I can’t say I’ve noticed, but it’s definitely a view that’s out there.
Matt Monro was a better singer than Frank"
Matt was awesome
Sometimes people who can sing fo nothing for me Joan Baez is a prime example. Also a whole wave of recent singers who constantly use melissima for no particular purpose Maria Carey et al. Fine voices but no emotional impact |
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