who is the worst vocalist to have "made it"
Discussion
CAPP0 said:
conkerman said:
The woman from M - People.
Her voice hurts me.
I’ll second that, there’s some weird intonation going on which is difficult to listen to. Her voice hurts me.
Have we had Florence “Wailer” Welch yet? I say that because her voice just sounds like she’s, well, wailing all the time. Painful.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
Trophy Husband said:
conkerman said:
The woman from M - People.
Her voice hurts me.
Heather Small? That's my wife! Loves the sound of her own voice. Me and the kids? Not so much.Her voice hurts me.
Jess Glynne can get in the sea.paulguitar said:
Police State said:
paulguitar said:
Van Morrison has always been a terrible singer.
Paul, I'm a Van Fan, and love his work; but I can't sing in absolutely any listenable sense, and am probably utterly tone deaf, and don't; even know when someone is not in tune (except for the blindingly obvious). But when I listen to Van singing his songs, it all makes sense (same for Dylan). So I'm intrigued as to who you consider makes for a great vocalist? (in popular music)Also can you give 3 examples of what you consider to be the best vocalists?
I'm not arguing with you at all, and am genuinely interested to get more of an understanding of what is technically good. I don't understand music on a technical level, though have a weird ability to often hear the first note of a song and even a chord, and be able to name that song.
I've been meaning to 'ask a pro' ever since I read 'GetCarter' say that mick Hucknall sings out of tune, and was intrigued then. (I'm not a fan of Hucknal btw)
Firstly, I agree with you about Van Morissison, what he does works for his own songs, rather like Dylan. It's entirely possible to have a technically not great voice or perhaps just an odd voice and yet it just works, somehow. Randy Newman is another example I think.
As to three singers I think are exceptional. Well, I could nominate many but I will go for:
1. Nat King Cole. He's just the greatest singer to have ever lived, in my opinion. Perfect pitch, an almost impossibly rich tone, and an inherent musicality backed up by being a world-class jazz pianist.
2. Karen Carpenter. The most amazing good taste, simply sang the melody, perfectly, every time. Amazing pitch and control, no fuss, no showboating, ever, Incredible talent. Played the drums, too!
3. Justin Currie. You might remember his band, 'Del Amitri'. It's worth checking out his solo stuff, have a look for the song 'What is Love For?'. Again, a straight-ahead singer of the tune. Lots of character in his voice. Perfect diction which is a good thing when the lyrics are as good as his.
Edited by paulguitar on Friday 5th June 12:41
Edited by paulguitar on Friday 5th June 16:48
My old mum would agree with you on Nat King Cole. She adored his voice, which was the one I would hear on a Sunday morning coming out of the 'Stereogram'... along with many other greats from that era. (Dinah Washington, Della Reece, Sarah Vaughn, to name but a few)
My Mrs would disagree with you on Karen Carpenter, who she insists is 'too perfect' and therefore lacking I guess 'idiosyncrasy', but I like her voice.
I tried listening to Justin Currie, but didn't really get him, and that song didn't do it for me; dare I say it, it sounded almost like a stage musical song/arrangement. (But I did like him as part of Del Amitri)
However, as I have confessed already, I am most likely completely tone deaf. but an interesting thing for me, is since you made your initial comments, I have been listening to my favourites in a somewhat different light, as I am trying to better understand what makes a technically great voice.
Meanwhile, I would be interested to know who you consider the best singer/guitarist. (seeing as you are Paulguitar!...
)My nomination is the late, great John Martyn.
Raygun said:
Police State said:
My nomination is the late, great John Martyn.
I would agree PS if the title of the thread was 'Most underrated artist ever'I was lucky and privileged to see him live a very long time ago in a small venue when I was just 11yrs young, in a trio of Danny Thompson, I think playing double bass. and I seem to recall a half drum kit. Anyway, the memories of that night made a lasting impression on me.
Raygun said:
Police State said:
My nomination is the late, great John Martyn.
I would agree PS if the title of the thread was 'Most underrated artist ever'My excuse is, I didn’t know much about art, but I knew what I liked.
Police State said:
Raygun said:
Police State said:
My nomination is the late, great John Martyn.
I would agree PS if the title of the thread was 'Most underrated artist ever'I was lucky and privileged to see him live a very long time ago in a small venue when I was just 11yrs young, in a trio of Danny Thompson, I think playing double bass. and I seem to recall a half drum kit. Anyway, the memories of that night made a lasting impression on me.
I got to see him at least 10 or 11 times in the 80s, fantastic shows, the Piece By Piece tour I see him 3 times it was that good. Around the time of the new millennium my mate said to me "do you want me to get you a ticket to see John Martyn at the Cambridge Corn Exchange?" I was busy so had to say no, when I called him up the next day after the show to see how it went my mate said "it was a disaster, he was on stage about 20 minutes, pissed as an handcart". Thinking back to that now it must of been signs all was not well, he had to have his right leg amputated below the knee in 2003, things were going from bad to worse culminating in his death in 2009.
I was in the crowd somewhere here and this is how I like to remember him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zET-ozTletY
R.I.P Big Man, your much missed.
JM is a strange one, I’ve seen him twice at a big venue and a small, intimate one. At the big one he was heckled pretty bad.
Good singer with a unique voice though.
My Spotify has been spitting out ian brown/roses stuff lately and the more I listen to it nowadays the more I agree he’s the thread winner. I didn’t think he was much good back when they were the in thing but my goodness he’s terrible.
I actually think his limitations became part of their “sound” as producers tried to dial out his week voice whilst still making him audible!
Good singer with a unique voice though.
My Spotify has been spitting out ian brown/roses stuff lately and the more I listen to it nowadays the more I agree he’s the thread winner. I didn’t think he was much good back when they were the in thing but my goodness he’s terrible.
I actually think his limitations became part of their “sound” as producers tried to dial out his week voice whilst still making him audible!
LaurasOtherHalf said:
JM is a strange one, I’ve seen him twice at a big venue and a small, intimate one. At the big one he was heckled pretty bad.
Good singer with a unique voice though.
My Spotify has been spitting out ian brown/roses stuff lately and the more I listen to it nowadays the more I agree he’s the thread winner. I didn’t think he was much good back when they were the in thing but my goodness he’s terrible.
I actually think his limitations became part of their “sound” as producers tried to dial out his week voice whilst still making him audible!
IMHO he wrote brilliant lyrics, but he just couldn't sing them unfortunately.Good singer with a unique voice though.
My Spotify has been spitting out ian brown/roses stuff lately and the more I listen to it nowadays the more I agree he’s the thread winner. I didn’t think he was much good back when they were the in thing but my goodness he’s terrible.
I actually think his limitations became part of their “sound” as producers tried to dial out his week voice whilst still making him audible!
His Glastonbury performance on Youtube is well worth a listen. I don't mind it too much as I can just tune out his considerable weaknesses, and the crowd were singing along too so I guess a lot of them let it pass them by. But, he sounds abysmal.
Frank7 said:
Raygun said:
Police State said:
My nomination is the late, great John Martyn.
I would agree PS if the title of the thread was 'Most underrated artist ever'My excuse is, I didn’t know much about art, but I knew what I liked.
See also Steve Hillage. His 'singing' on Live Herald is woeful.
Police State said:
Meanwhile, I would be interested to know who you consider the best singer/guitarist. (seeing as you are Paulguitar!... )
My nomination is the late, great John Martyn.
John Martyn had a world of talent, and his version of 'May you Never' from the Old Grey Whistle Test is still one of my favourite performances of any song. He clearly had personal issues and it is sad that he declined so much later on.)My nomination is the late, great John Martyn.
For my troubadour choice, I'd have to nominate James Taylor. He's singing and guitar playing are both exceptional. He's a true craftsman and clearly thinks long and hard about how he voices his chords and organizes his arrangements. His voice is perfect, really, relaxed and musical. He never pushes himself in terms of range, a sadly rare thing amongst singers. In a world of show-offs and dreadful talent shows, where the participants must make an impression in less than a minute, his music and performances are slow-burning, making their points confidently and yet subtly.
Halmyre said:
Frank7 said:
Raygun said:
Police State said:
My nomination is the late, great John Martyn.
I would agree PS if the title of the thread was 'Most underrated artist ever'My excuse is, I didn’t know much about art, but I knew what I liked.
Frank7 said:
Even though I’m probably twice as old as many of you connoisseurs of music and guitar playing, I recall listening for hours to Stevie Ray Vaughan.
My excuse is, I didn’t know much about art, but I knew what I liked.
My favourite guitarist. I don't think he's underrated at all, often cited by those in the know as being one of the most influential of all time. And responsible, almost single-handedly, for bringing the blues back to the forefront of popular culture in the 80s. He was know for bringing his heroes up with him and giving a lot of them a new career many years after their heydays.My excuse is, I didn’t know much about art, but I knew what I liked.
I am no music expert and couldn't carry a tune in a bucket, but I do enjoy watching real experts breakdown how the greats do it. Seems he was almost unique in that he used extremely heavy strings which he was able to bend and manipulate like few others are capable of, very physically draining apparently. Explains his 'sound'.
paulguitar said:
John Martyn had a world of talent, and his version of 'May you Never' from the Old Grey Whistle Test is still one of my favourite performances of any song. He clearly had personal issues and it is sad that he declined so much later on.
For my troubadour choice, I'd have to nominate James Taylor. He's singing and guitar playing are both exceptional. He's a true craftsman and clearly thinks long and hard about how he voices his chords and organizes his arrangements. His voice is perfect, really, relaxed and musical. He never pushes himself in terms of range, a sadly rare thing amongst singers. In a world of show-offs and dreadful talent shows, where the participants must make an impression in less than a minute, his music and performances are slow-burning, making their points confidently and yet subtly.
James Taylor is a craftsman of his trade, fantastic, him, the people he has playing along side him are just talent of the highest calibre.For my troubadour choice, I'd have to nominate James Taylor. He's singing and guitar playing are both exceptional. He's a true craftsman and clearly thinks long and hard about how he voices his chords and organizes his arrangements. His voice is perfect, really, relaxed and musical. He never pushes himself in terms of range, a sadly rare thing amongst singers. In a world of show-offs and dreadful talent shows, where the participants must make an impression in less than a minute, his music and performances are slow-burning, making their points confidently and yet subtly.
Gassing Station | Music | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff