Unique Voices/Talents You Enjoy

Have you any favourite Singers/Writers that are a little "off beat" regarding their voices/singing style?

Here are a few obvious and not so obvious that I like:

Elvis: Most commercially successful of a small group around his time period.

Roy Orbison: Great unique voice and talent.

Fred Neil: Fantastic writer, captivating voice.

Joni: Super writing and vocal interpretation.

Carole King: Effected music scene more than most realize.

Bob Dylan: Not much need be said here.

Dolly Parton: Amazing voice/talent

Patsy Cline: You start to listen, you can't walk away.

Alison Krauss: I guess she's my "New Favorite". Should be what you see when you look up "natural voice" in a dictionary.

Any that you can think of?

 

I also as you all know, enjoy Gordon Lightfoot's music for his singing voice during his peak and especially his songwriting.

Kris Kristofferson-great writer, although he isn't the best singer to feature in a choir, etc. , his voice blends well with his blend of country, folk, pop and rock.

Many examples stated above, plus Neil Diamond, etc.

 

>>>My favorite..Gene Pitney!!

Nobody sounds like that guy!!

 

I agree with you on Gene Pitney

 

I tend to think of voices that aren't technically perfect, but that have a special "something" to their voice that makes you sit up and listen:

Stevie Nicks: particularly Rumours era, but I also like the deeper, raspier voice around the time Wild Heart

Old School Country Singers: It seems like just about every major act had their own distinctive voice (not like the soundalike stars we have today). Some of the unique favorites: Willie Nelson, Tammy Wynette, Waylon Jennings, Emmylou Harris

Other distinctive voices:
Levi Stubbs
Barry Gibb
Neil Diamond
Neil Young

 

I mentioned Diamond, and I agree with you on the above artists as well.

 

Here's one: I remember Frank Ifield, do you?

 

I like Frank Ifield's voice as well.

 

The vocals of Craig Fuller.

Pure Prairie League just doesn't sound like them without that voice IMO.

 

Boy, where to start with that description.
Louis Armstrong
Leonard Cohen
Marc Bolan
Leon Redbone
Janis Joplin
Billie Holiday
plus those listed above, possibilities are endless.

 

I also like Burl Ives's voice which is distinctive.

 

BTW, a lot of today country singers do employ vocal coaches hired by the labels which does impact on their sound a lot. The country singers of the past never had to rely on coaches.

 

In addition to many of the artists already mentioned, I always had a hankerin' for the voices of Van Morrison, Tom Waits, John Hiatt, and many blues / jazz artists such as John Lee Hooker and Billie Holiday.

Oh, and what the heck, I'll throw in Captain Beefheart and David Thomas.

Shalom, y'all!

L. Bangs

 

Slim Harpo
Howlin' Wolf

 

Re: Re: Unique Voices/Talents You Enjoy

I may have mentioned how much I love that mans voice before - but it bears repeating - if ever a voice epitomised a smile then he was the man.

All the best - Andrew

 

Laurie Anderson. I am totally mesmerized by her voice--whether it's her real voice, or that vocorder thing she uses. I've seen her onstage several times, and I could just sit and listen to her all night long. I'm a sucker for that downtown NYC performance art stuff.

 

Iris DeMent. I love her voice. Very honest and down to earth. When I heard her first record, I thought her parents might be Emmylou Harris and Jimmie Dale Gilmore. She writes good songs, too.

 

I agree with many of the above choices and add Bobby McFerrin (maybe an obvious choice) and also one of my favourites Canadian Ellen McIlwaine.

 

Kate Bush from The Dreaming on (never could handle her early screeching voice albums). Especially on Hounds Of Love, her voice could alternately scare the hell out of me, or break my heart.

 

Clarence "Frogman" Henry
Louis Prima
Otis Redding
Johnny Cash
Aretha Franklin


Allan Sherman...Bobby Sherman...just checking; to see if anyone was still reading!

 

Here's a few of my favorites, in no paricular order (some have already been mentioned):

Levi Stubbs (IMHO, the equal of Marvin Gaye in terms of singing)

Marvin Gaye (pretty obvious, I think)

Felix Cavaliere (Was it Wilson Pickett, having never met the Young Rascals, who dropped in for a visit while recording at Atlantic Studios who was surprised to find they weren't a black group?! THAT'S the best blue-eyed soul ever recorded!)

Jack Bruce (Great in the studio...even better live!)

The Bee Gees (Must be a family thing!)

The Beach Boys (See the Bee Gees)

Rod Stewart (Makes raspy sound good!)

David Clayton-Thomas (nice and powerful!)

Art Garfunkel (no pan on Paul Simon, but practically anybody would sound great with this voice)

Stevie Wonder (I've never gotten tired of Stevie Wonder)

Aretha Franklin (another obvious one)

Dusty Springfield (My favorite female vocalist...I think Aretha Franklin was a big admirer, too!)

I could go on & on!! Great post!!

 

add Sonny Boy Williamson! If you never heard Bring It On Home (Led Zeppelin covered it) run to you nearest music store and pick up a copy. Earthy!!!

 

Pete Townshend thinks he sounds like Andy Williams in his early days, but for my money you just can't beat his singing on "Sunrise" on The Who Sell Out.

Gardo

 

An interesting one is Marcia Ball. A singer/writer/musician I find her album 'Gatorhythms' particularly intriguing. Her song on that album 'Find Another Fool is quite captivating.