Great singers that don't have great voices

[taliac]

Hey all, I need some help please..

Am compiling a CD for a friend's son.

He wants to be a singer songwriter and from what I've heard his songs are pretty decent. However, his voice is a bit variable. Not awful, but he's trying to sing like Jeff Buckley and lets face it not many people can.

So I'm trying to prove that there are many different ways to deliver a song, and that you don't necessarily have to have a great voice to be a great singer.

But I need some examples.

Here are a handful to kick off with..

Tom Waits - Martha
Nico - Fairest of the Seasons
Leonard Cohen - Hallelujah
Lou Reed - Candy Says

Anyone got any ideas? Old or new, but in the singer songwriter genre for preference..

TIA..

Robbie Williams

Shane MacGowan of the Pogues.
Hardly a technically great singer, but his voice is full of soul and passion and character.

Both good ideas.. UnquietDad, any particular song you'd go for?

I'm not a fan of hers but Madonna has to win the prize for pretty feeble voice but awesome performer.

I'd say the stuff he sings on the albums "Rum, Sodomy & the Lash" and "If I Should Fall From Grace With God" are best.

If I Should Fall

Of course there is the classic Fairytale of New York

Also "Thousands Are Sailing" and "Sally Maclennane", or "Dirty old Town" for a slower one.

He's awful now though... shadow of his former self.

I think a lot of supposedly big pop stars have fairly average voices - Madonna, Robbie Williams, Kylie etc.

That's why a lot of these X Factor shows are a bit of a farce - they always concentrate on the singing ability (despite the name of the show). Leona Lewis - yes - she can sing - but will she still be releasing records and playing sold out concerts in 20+ year's time ??

I don't think Springsteen has that great a voice either - is that heresy? It's all in the confident delivery.

Billie Holiday despite having an amazing voice early on towards the end it was completely wrecked but somehow the songs sounded incredible.

Billy Bragg?
Bob Dylan?

Lots of great ideas, thanks.. Springsteen is an excellent one, as is Dylan..

Any recent indie schmindie examples?

I love Graham Coxon, and Steven Malkmus (Pavement) and neither is exceptionally blessed in the vocal department.

yes was going to say Dylan

very funny take on Dylan and others in this rather interesting song

WARNING A LITTLE RISQUE AND OFFENSIVE TO GAY ESKIMOS

yes Graham Coxon - the object of my teenage infatuations!

oh lovely graham coxon.. "Bittersweet Bundle of Misery" is going on..

George Formby ?

I think maybe I'm tone deaf, because ALL the male singers mentioned here are great favourites of mine.

Arctic Monkeys
Oasis
Most bands really, they make great music but technically their voices aren't perfect.

Yes but thats the point, they're favourites of mine too but technically speaking their voices aren't amazing..

Nancy Sinatra, for example, she couldn't sing but boy could she deliver a song..

Tim Burgess of the Charlatans - bloody awful singer live gorgeous though

Ian Brown form Stone Roses not very good singer.

Ian Brown is universally reognised as not being able to sing. Pretty successful though.

My mum always says Ronan Keatng and she knows quite a bit about singing. (scurries away in case anyone thinks she is a fan- just answering the question, honest)

Johnny Cash couldn't sing, but what a star.

Rod Stewart?

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