Good voice vs. good singer

[buldog5151bass]

Sintra didn't have the greatest voice of his age (Dean Martin and many others had better voices). But no one used their voice as an instrument better than he.

I put Neil Young with Kris Kristofferson, Joe Walsh and Bob Dylan - great songwriters, but as vocalists... no.

 

[xk49w]

Curious, but I find I can name more women singers I enjoy than men.

In addition to the ones mentioned,
Iris Dement. I'd like to say she's an acquired taste but I acquired it easily. I like bluegrass, decent country, good singers.
Invalid Link Removed. She's also a classic contemporary singer. I include this one for personal reasons.
Maura O'Connell. She came from Ireland, started hanging out in Nashville. Then she started getting a lot of work.
Eva Cassidy. Sad story there but she left us with some great things.

 

[bassbully]

I agree its more about the style and voice than the singing if that makes Sense. I love folk and blues 90% of those cats are not good singers some in fact are quite horrible but when they sing to their music =magic! Look at hard rock allot of those guys are not great singers but they do a great job with their music.

 

[skwee]

It works both ways. I often hear (and have worked with) folks who have gorgeous instruments, but have no clue how to be a good singer. The best have a balance of beauty, expressiveness, clarity, and distinct color.

 

[bassbully]

Here's another example of someone with a not-so-great voice that's a great singer. Gin Wigmore...her voice is an acquired taste. Personally, I love it!

Oh heck Ya!

 

[bswag]

Sometimes. But then other times, he does something like:

Avast, ye faragin' bastige! Y'dare to dis one o'me favorite albums?!? Aaarghh!!!

And the funny thing is, I absolutely cannot tolerate Geddy Lee's voice! Though of course the Ayn-Rand-y lyrics don't help.

However, to be fair to the Neil-haters out there, I recall what one of my electronics teachers said about his voice: "Sounds like he jumped over a barbed-wire fence and one hung low..." (Thanks, Harry!) Lines forming now, pick your favorite Canadian screeching weasel...

 

[elgecko]

Avast, ye faragin' bastige! Y'dare to dis one o'me favorite albums?!? Aaarghh!!!

And the funny thing is, I absolutely cannot tolerate Geddy Lee's voice! Though of course the Ayn-Rand-y lyrics don't help.

However, to be fair to the Neil-haters out there, I recall what one of my electronics teachers said about his voice: "Sounds like he jumped over a barbed-wire fence and one hung low..." (Thanks, Harry!) Lines forming now, pick your favorite Canadian screeching weasel...

Actually, I love the album too. But you have to admit, it has some real doozies!

"Lonesome whistle on the railroad track" always makes me smile.

 

[Alkali Ike]

Good singer is sometimes in the ear of the beholder. My mom generally had no use for any pop rock type singers but I introduced her to Leon Russell and she heard something authentic and sincere and likable from him. Same for Neil Young.

There are singers and there are crooners. Those are very different things.