Under-rated/over-rated vocalists

[Ostie]

Overrated: Freddy Mercury. Way too over the top, too much multi-tracking, over-produced.

Underrated: Paul Rodgers. Great pitch, gritty when needed, bluesy, one of the best rock singers ever.

 

[jerry]

Yeah but, within two notes you know it's her.

Overrated? For me it has to be Sade. Lots of long notes, no inflection, no vibrato or any other indication that there's any emotion being emoted there, and very limited range. But I know lots of people just love her.

 

[zubrycky]

Overrated? I wouldn't classify anyone as being overrated. There are vocalists that I don't like, of course, but my personal opinion about them doesn't make me blind to the fact that they are great being themselves. My hat is off to them.

Underrated? Oh, Benny Mardones. Definitely Benny Mardones.

 

[bolophonic]

LOL @ talking junk about Deep Purple AND Iron Maiden. Just... unquestionably silly posturing.

 

[bolophonic]

Overrated: Ozzy

Underrated: Scott Weinrich

Alex Hurst

 

[buldog5151bass]

I am strictly talking about pure vocal ability. For instance, Mick Jagger is one of the world's greatest front men, but not a great singer. Christine McVie has a very good voice, but I saw her front a band in concert, and she was boring.

 

[Watchootognbout]

Under-rated:Tatiana Shmailuk of Jinjer.

 

[LBS-bass]

Yeah but, within two notes you know it's her.

So? I know it’s Weird Al, when I hear him, too. Doesn’t make him great.

 

[ELG60]

Underrated: Burton Cummings

Overrated: Springsteen

 

[39-Bassist]

Under rated:
Rhett Forrester
Guy Speranza

Over rated:
Too many to name now a days, unfortunately.

 

[Danny O Danny]

I think John Fogerty's singing with Creedence Clearwater Revival is underrated (as is his guitar playing), perhaps because it is eclipsed by his great songwriting.

Overrated? A lot of those female pop singers who all (to me) sound alike.

 

[LBS-bass]

Underrated: Burton Cummings

I'd go along with that.

 

[ELG60]

I'd go along with that.

"Undone"

 

[LBS-bass]

"Undone"

What a great song.

 

[ELG60]

Here's a version showing that he could do it live as well:

 

[rashrader]

Underrated... That guy at Karaoke last week. He was awesome.

Overrated: Anyone that I don’t like.

 

[BassplayinBob]

Kind of a follow-up to my "musicians you appreciate but don't like" thread, who are some truly under-rated (and over-rated) vocalists?

I nominate Ann Wilson of Heart as most under-rated. Early Heart is so powerful. As a runner up I nominate (as I prepare to duck the slings and arrows) Meatloaf. Yes, his music was overly bombastic, but the dude had a set of pipes.

Most over-rated? Ozzy Osbourne. Heck of a front man, but not a talented vocalist at all. I remember reading an interview of Tommy Iommi, where he said there was a reason they didn't put out live albums with him as vocalist.

Overrated: John Lennon

Underrated: Layne Staley

 

[dkelley]

Here's a version showing that he could do it live as well:

Randy bachman says Burt learned the flute just for that song and never played it before.

Seriously.

 

[LBS-bass]

Randy bachman says Burt learned the flute just for that song and never played it before.

Seriously.

There are people who are crazy talented like that. It's amazing.

 

[Bassngtr]

Underrated: Christine McVie. Awesome, essential band member, honey sweet voice.
(WAY) Over-rated: Stevie Nicks