[Drew]

Ok, let's look at the other side of the coin... Who are some of your favorite vocalists who DON'T sing metal or hard rock?

I'm a huge Jagger fan - horrible voice, but it's just so right for the Stones music. Also, Howlin' Wolf just sounds possessed. That dude's vocal on "Back Door Man" is just fucking evil.

However, surprise surprise, I gotta give it up for Tom Waits. He's got the sort of raspy, growly, scratchy voice I'm into, yet his vocal control is just mind-numbing; anything from the deep gospel-like baritone of "Come on Up to the House" to the near-falsetto of "Jesus Gonna Be Here" to the "what the fuck was THAT" of "The Earth Died Screaming," although if I had to choose a single vocal performance that really impressed me, it's his "Innocent When You Dream,' not because it's good, per se, but because it's NOT - he sounds like he's fighting to hit pitches well outside of his range - suceeding, yet barely - yet the thing is, what he's singing is actually easily within what he's capable of. The straining quality, taken with the lyrics, just gives it this incredibly bittersweet, wistful, longing quality to it... Unreal.

Also, honorable mention to Bruce Springsteen - "The Rising" was playing while I was in the grocery store this morning, and that guy has just gotten better with age.

[The Dark Wolf]

Prince.

'Nuff said.

My post was trying to dissect it a bit more than "favorites', however. There are many people in genres of music, sports, literature, whatever, who might be my "favorite", but who aren't what I consider the "best" (Again, subjective, but can you see the qualitiative difference?) So, are you going ONLY for favorites, which is not really the other side of the coin from my post, or do you just want to know who we think is the best?

If it's the best, hmm... Whitney Houston? Andrea Bocelli (Blind opera singer). Pavarotti? I think the classically trained singers can typically blow away most other genres. But if we avoid the classical people, and stick to pop/rock, then probably Whitney is the best, IMO, although not even close to my favorite.

I also really like Mariah Carey and Alicia Keys, as singers, although their stuff can be too pop-py and sappy at times.

Other contenders -

Willie Nelson (not a great voice, but distinct, and a great musician and storyteller)
Bob Marley - again, not as a singer, per se, but more as a musician.
Paul Simon (especially with Art Garfunkle)
Nat Cole
The Righteous Brothers

[zimbloth]

Jon Crosby.

[noodles]

Damn near everyone on the Motown label in the 50s and 60s. I absolutely love that music when it is well done, and that label seemed to be overloaded with great singers. The Temptations, The Four Seasons, The Four Tops, Arethra Franklin, Martha & The Vandellas, Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Barry White...the list just goes on and on.

Jackie Wilson, Al Green, James fucking Brown, Wilson Pickett, The Temptations...I just can't stop. There are so many.

Smokey Robinson, Isley Brothers, Sam and Dave, Sam Cooke, The Drifters...whenever I'm stuck with just a radio, I'll cruise for an oldies station. If you don't like this stuff, you're dead.

[Firebeard]

Daryl Hall! And I'm serious.

[Shawn]

Originally Posted by satanicmind

Daryl Hall! And I'm serious.

I agree with Noodles too, I am always listening to the oldies, Motown singers rule. Martha Reeves is one of my favorites along with Smokey Robinson, the guys in The Ojays, The Spinners, The Temptations, The Foundations, etc....

I really like Billy Joel too, he is one of my favs.

[Chris]

Annie Lennox

[The Dark Wolf]

Originally Posted by noodles

Damn near everyone on the Motown label

stuff

If you don't like this stuff, you're dead.

I was thinking pretty much along the same lines. I grew up with this kind of music from my mom and her whole family.

I grew up with country from my dad.

[distressed_romeo]

Nick Drake.
Rozz Williams.
Carl McCoy.

[Shawn]

These guys are great singers too, they have the best harmonies.