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?

I guess it depends on what you’re looking for in a singer. Most people’s choices here are based on range and technical ability. That sort of singing bores me (& my choices may well bore lots of you!). I like singers who have distinctive voices, and who interpret songs in a distinctive way.

My top two are Van Morrison and Amy Winehouse. Van’s Cypress Avenue or anything off his Veedon Fleece, Amy’s October Song or Don’t Go to Strangers. Followed by ...

Macy Gray
Lauryn Hill
Dolores Riordan
Shane McGowan
Tracey Thorn
Rick Danko
Lulu
Steve Page
Bjork
Pete Townsend

well, it's not like technical ability and distinctive voices are mutually exclusive. You could spot Kathleen Ferrier a hundred miles off.

For sure, but for me a lot of the ones mentioned earlier in the thread are quite samey.

Someone who I think has been overlooked on here is Shirley Bassey. I was once at a posh private party (not my usual thing, I did some work for the owners) and she was their guest. (As an aside she was a thoroughly nice down to earth lady who insisted on queuing for the loo with the rest of us :))

Half way through the evening someone asked her to sing and she did. She was already pretty much retired then, but she sang with no mike, no accompaniment, just stood up and sang and was absolutely incredible. You did not have to be a fan to know you were in the presence of someone with an amazing talent.

I listed Shirley Bassey along with Dinah Washington.

For me,Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode has the best voice ever.

Most people’s choices here are based on range and technical ability

What matters to me is the beauty of the sound, closely followed by the spirituality of the delivery.

Liam Gallagher...... No, I'm sorry but he may have swagger and stage presence but he sings through his nose.

Robert Plant - Led Zep
Phil Lynott - Thin Lizzy
Steve Perry - Journey
David Coverdale - Deep Purple
Aretha
Mariah
Freddy M
Whitney H

So many actually and very difficult to choose but the above singers all make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up!

Tim Buckley
Jeff Buckley
Sandy Denny
Aretha
Joni Mitchell
Joy Williams
Christina Aguilera
Ella Fitzgerald
Anita ODay
John Martyn
Ray LaMontagne
Muddy Waters
Big Mama Thornton
Bonnie Raitt
Susan Tedeschi
Paul Janeway

My votes go to:
Soul: Otis Reading
Country: Patsy Cline
80s Pop: Boy George
Recent Pop: Aloe Blacc
Opera: Kathleen Battle

Disfordarkchocolqte

I don't think Paul McCartney has been in tune since about 1974, he's painful to listen to now.

probably when Faul took over 😂

I also love Phil Lynott's (from Thin Lizzy) voice.

Regina Spektor
she makes me life better

my*

Bravo @lululu16

Bloody good call.

Samson is a thing of beauty.

Anyone for Tony Hadley of Spandau Ballet? I think his voice is superb and haven't seen him mentioned here.

I think he’s a club singer, sorry.

I only know the theme from OITNB @lululu16 but it, along with the show, basically saved my life coming out of an abusive marriage. It expressed everything i needed to say.

Florence Welch definitely, or adele, her voice goes through to my bones and out again, I could listen to them both for hours... no backing tracks or instruments just raw voices 😍😍

I went to see Keane at the weekend and Tom Chaplin was absolutely bloody amazing!

I will also say Tyler Joseph from twenty one pilots because I'm completely obsessed with them atm.

Karen Carpenter, totally awesome.

Me. I can sing every song ever perfectly. In my dreams.

I love Tony but I have to agree he’s a club singer with a big voice

Tom Chaplin has always been a fave of mine since Keane started but i have a feeling he's an ex choirboy or something so maybe not surprising? Or did I make that up because he had such a cherubic face at that point?!

Definitely

Saw Keane recently. Brilliant show

Radio 2 listing for everyone interested in hearing Tom Chaplin singing Queen songs www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0002hql