How do bad singers get away with sounding good?

[richntiff]

Correction: Baggy jeans, BUSCH lite, and pickup trucks.

'Just sayin', ya'll.

Carry on.

oh no, Bud Lite is ok again now, apparently.

 

[richntiff]

Interesting thread - and it made me realize that I much prefer a singer with some 'flavor' to their voice over a technically perfect singer. It's the same with instrumentalists - I'd much rather listen to a player with some stank/slop/attitude to their playing than the technically perfect. Tim Henson/Matteo Mancuso and the like, way back down to Yngwie - I've never been able to listen to them. Petrucci bores me to tears. But EVH, Nuno, Knopfler, etc - players with obvious technical skill, but more dominated by sheer feel and groove than straight technique - they make me listen. I won't mention bass players I like vs dislike for those same reasons, because I won't want to start an argument here lol! But the point is - my favorite singers/front persons are most definitely NOT the technical/perfect ones. I need soul, attitude, and uniqueness - they connect me to the lyric.

 

[jimmydean]

Some people just have that ''conviction thing" that gets them over . The singer in my band is not my cup of tea , but people come to the gigs because of him........that's life , kidz .

 

[jerry]

There is an excellent overlooked movie in the 90's called Georgia with Mare Winningham and Jennifer Jason Leigh playing sisters who are also singers, Winningham, is the talented successful Joni style singer while Leigh is a heavy-living punk singer, there is a scene where that both cover a Van Morrison song, Winningham sings it straight that most people like but Leigh sings it with heart and soul but nowhere the talent level of her sister. They are both legit to me.
Great movie and cast!

 

[Ostie]

There is an excellent overlooked movie in the 90's called Georgia with Mare Winningham and Jennifer Jason Leigh playing sisters who are also singers, Winningham, is the talented successful Joni style singer while Leigh is a heavy-living punk singer, there is a scene where that both cover a Van Morrison song, Winningham sings it straight that most people like but Leigh sings it with heart and soul but nowhere the talent level of her sister. They are both legit to me.
Great movie and cast!

This right here. It’s gotta have soul. I can appreciate technical singers, but if it ain’t got soul, it ain’t got me.

 

[DCErik]

How do bad singers get away with sounding good?

With decades of musical experience behind me, I've noticed that there are some well respected singers who aren't technically good singers, but are often credited with having voices that are pleasant. Often, they're described as being "charismatic".

What's the explanation for that?

Since when do singers have to "get away" with sounding good?

 

[factory presets]

Since when do singers have to "get away" with sounding good?

When they're fleeing the technique Nazis, I guess. Maybe Julie Andrews can shed some light.

 

[Nuage420]

David Lee Roth, Ozzie, Madonna (along with Jagger). None of them great singers, but all great front persons.

I only disagree on Madonna. She could sing really well. I'd put her at least one level above the others you mentioned

 

[pepj]

Pitch correction.
The number of live concerts featuring it is unreal. And some very well reknown vocalists to boot.

 

[Mastermold]

Lead singers are frontpersons - their job is to put on a good show. It's charisma. Mick Jagger has been doing it for over half a century.

Yeah, I don’t want to hear Mick sing the National Anthem, and I don’t like when polished singers sing Stones songs either.