Best Ever Singer?

[PennyNotSoWise]

AIBU to be a nosy caah and ask who you think the best singer the world has ever seen is?

Mine is Freddie Mercury. I've just seen the ad for Amazon music (I think that's what it was) where it's just his voice singing Somebody To Love, music drowned out, and Sweet.Baby.Jesus, it gave me goosebumps. If I didn't have alopecia, my hair would be standing on end, I tell you Wow, could that man sing!

I told DP and he said, "meh, he was alright."

Who are your favourites? And any particular song where they're at their best?

Annie Lennox

early Rod Steward, Robert Plan and Frankie Miller. Aso Emmylou Harris has an incredible voice

@GlitchStitch - that’s her! Thank you!

Have we mentioned Holly Johnson yet?

He did a cameo in 'Benidorm' not so long ago and he's totally still got it.

I haven't time to read 305 messages (sorry! I read the early ones the other day) but the best ever singer, without a doubt, is Iarla Ó Lionáird.
Listen and weep.

Or, lovely but easier...

Harry Nilsson anyone..another legend no longer with us.
Without you gives me goose bumps

British Sea Power are good. They share vocals. Hamilton has a really nice voice (see No Lucifer)

Hozier.
But not Ed Sheeran.
Ever.

CathyorClaire, Holly Johnson. Oh yes!
And the late Lee Brilleaux from Dr Feelgood. Really gravelly, a proper pub singer.

Hozier is good.
Loved Lee Brilleaux, too. Saw Dr Feelgood at the FTH round about 1975...

I was at Live Aid. Oh the atmosphere! And it really was like Bohemian Rhapsody portrays it.
I saw Queen at Wembley the following year (the Kind of Magic tour- it’s on YouTube). Such an amazing showman- all four of them really. To be in that crowd clapping to Radio Ga Ga...
Just closing my eyes takes me there.

On another note, it feels very strange to see a part of my life CGI’d. My parents and grand parents’, yes. Dunkirk, for example. But mine- when did I get so old?

PlasticPatty- I’m not criticising Hozier. I love his voice. And I’m deeply jealous that I’m too young to have seen Dr Feelgood.

Someone mentioned dean martin upthread.
The quiz we go to, he’s only a young chap but he usually finishes off with
Dean martins amore..and it just gives you a lovely swishy feeling on your way home

@Binky
One of the few advantages of old age is that I got to see a few good bands when young.
One of the few disadvantages of old age is that if I mention the bands I've seen, people know how very old I am.

And no, no-one would disrespect Hozier. Lovely voice, seems like a sweet boy.

Oh, and I watched LiveAid on television. That was the last time I got all my ironing finished.

Mariah Carey in her hey day!

I heard she wrecked her voice from being made to tour so much so now she lip syncs

Patty,
I agree. You could see big bands at Portsmouth Guildhall for £3.50. I saw U2, The Jam, The Damned, Gary Numan, Ultravox, Bauhaus, tons of them.
Manic Street Preachers (with Richey) at Portsmouth Polytechnic...

@WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll I haven't heard John Cale's version, will try and listen today.

Emmylou Harris
Joan Baez
Alison Krauss
Don Williams

Emmylou Harris is my favourite, she has the most beautiful and pure voice, if I had to choose just one singer to listen to for all time it would be her.

Her voice is just stunning.

I also like Eivor, from the Faroe Isles, I could listen to Trollabundin forever, she also sings the soundtrack for my most favourite show, The Last Kingdom, her voice is hauntingly beautiful, and sounds like it really does come from the 9th Century

Emma Kirkby

I love Roy Orbison's voice. And Aretha Franklin. When she had to do Nessun Dorma, with no notice, at the Grammys Incredible.

I've seen Dolly Parton live a couple of times and when she does 'Little Sparrow' a cappella her voice just soars. Genuinely spine-prickling.

kd lang's voice is beautiful and so expressive. I think it's particularly brilliant on her country-style album Shadowlands. Also Smokey Robinson. And that jaw-dropping recording of Marvin Gaye singing Through the Grapevine, with no backing track.

PJ Harvey for the variety in her voice and singing styles. On White Chalk it's ethereal and ghostly and on Stories From the City... it's so swooping and lush and flexible.

I would love to hear Tom Chaplin sing Queen, is it still available to listen to?

I like Cat Stevens

I think the singer from Kings of Leon has an interesting voice particularly on Fans

Beyoncé sings well too

I do like Fleetwood Mac but I prefer Christine Mcvie's vocals as Stevie is a bit gurgly for me as is Fergal Sharkie

Love Rosie Frame's vocals and Siousie Sioux was a good live singer

Serj Tankian has an amazing voice.

Also a little bit in live with Matisyahu singing too

Tony Bennett

Without wanting to bring down the tone of this thread or being unnecessarily unkind, I think the emotion with which people sing is just as important as the actual voice.

Totally agree, nothing unkind about it. I love when you can hear the passion and emotion in their voices, like mentioned earlier, some Roy Orbison songs can break your heart because you can really feel the sadness.

I was at Live Aid. Oh the atmosphere! And it really was like Bohemian Rhapsody portrays it.
I saw Queen at Wembley the following year (the Kind of Magic tour- it’s on YouTube). Such an amazing showman- all four of them really. To be in that crowd clapping to Radio Ga Ga...
Just closing my eyes takes me there.

So jealous Binky. I've seen it on Youtube (the Live Aid set) and they were just electric! I can only imagine the feeling being there, I bet the atmosphere was on fucking fire! I haven't watched Bohemian Rhapsody yet, definitely on my to-do list. Rami Malek is adorable, love him.

Also going to try and find the Tom Chaplin vid mentioned upthread.

So many pages in and I'm still learning new names! Thank you for broadening my musical tastes everyone, I love this thread.