Best vocalist of all time?

[4est]

For me, the brilliance of this topic is that for some of us, it's a chance to revisit. For others, a chance at discovery.

 

Ah, discovery!

 

Some less well known that may be of interest:

 

Ted Hawkins- A street singer who died before he made it big.

Terry Callier- From the sixties but never quite made it. He is on a couple of Beth Orton cuts.

Cilette Swann of Gypsy Soul. Her live rendition of "Amazing Grace" blows the house down.

 

None are what I would call the best, but worth a listen to those whom like vocalists.

[MetalNuts]

A controversial question, best vocalist of yours or mine, the best in the past, 50's 60's or 70's, jazz, classical, pop or rock or the best still performing nowadays? I have too many best vocalists and it changes from time to time, Maria Callas, Ella Fitzgerad, Teresa Teng, even Rod Stewart and Louis Armstrong can be the best in their own style. Records are made to be broken, so the best of the past is replaced by the best of today and the best of today will be replaced by best of tomorrow unless there is no more tomorrow.

[Garf]

Tom Waits

 

wait...

[chumlie]

Bryan Ferry

[wisnon]

Luther Vandross?

[REShaman]

Frank Sinatra at any age, solo or singing duets.

Best,

Richard

[The Computer Audiophile]

Nat King Cole.

 

There are other vocalists that may be technically perfect, but Nat's voice on his own music is remarkable. I guess my answer is somewhat like selecting an audio component for how it sounds and the emotion it may bring out rather than on specs only :~)