Best Singer of All Time is...

[PYP]

Frank and Louis:

 

 

[Audiophile Neuroscience]

14 hours ago, GregWormald said:

Diana has had about 12 years of vocal/performance training.

Brief history. (Parts may be distressing to some.)

At age 3 some relatives found Diana roaming the street in eastern Russia. She had been kicked out of home by mom after attempting to drown her.  Mom is alcoholic with 11 abortions and one failed abortion—Diana. Nobody wanted Diana as it was assumed she was retarded. She was unable to speak much at all and spent much of her time crying. Investigation at the rescue home showed knife scars, cigarette burns and a broken collarbone. The masseuse at the home often brought her teenage daughter to work and the daughter said if mum didn't adopt Diana, as soon as she turned 18 she would.

After mum adopted her, Diana was sent to singing lessons to see if her speech could be improved and they discovered her talents. The family moved away from the east when Diana's mum, seeing that she was becoming famous, threatened to try and take Diana back.

Diana had won over 50 child competitions before appearing on the Russian talent show for disadvantaged/orphaned kids, You Are Super. She triumphed, winning 48% of the final vote between 8 finalists. Second place received 9%. The master of the show, Igor Krutoy, provided Diana and family with a residence in Moscow so she could continue her music training with the best teachers. The result is what you hear today. Diana was 17 on 31 May this year and is competing for entry to tertiary education at a prominent music and performance academy.

She has now had 3 or 4 songs written for her and has started arranging.

 

Poor baby! No doubt her life has turned around since those dark days and if I'm right she has a very rosy future as a pop artist (or whatever).

The music/vocal training and experience certainly does explain how she comes across so polished for a 17 year old which was otherwise a bit baffling to me. Someone is also doing some pretty nifty arrangements for her. Not taking away one little bit from her talent tho.

[gmgraves]

8 hours ago, Audiophile Neuroscience said:

Yeah but for me there is more to a great singer than technical chops (not that I am implying that is your intention George). I think the basic requirement is to sing in tune but after that I go for tone and originality. It may be a bit different for opera singers but even then, there appears to be an endless amount of cookie-cutter voices or copycats in just about every genre.

That’s because in opera, the type of voice and singing is proscribed by the composer. There are certain things that must be done in a certain way. For example (and not opera related) would be a production of Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” done in motorcycle outfits. That would be so jarringly wrong as to make the play meaningless. In some things there is just no room for that kind individual expressionism.

8 hours ago, Audiophile Neuroscience said:

 

So while I have heard it argued many times that Bob Dylan was a terrible "singer" I think he has a great original voice. That said, I really don't listen much to his music. I think there are quite a few that fit into this category and especially in pop or rock. As soon I hear James Taylor's voice I instantly like it. I wouldn't call him a great singer by any stretch. It's about the tone, the mannerisms, the phrasing and all the little quirks that go into make his voice individual and make his personality and charisma shine through. If it becomes more relatable, more personal, it becomes more emotionally convincing for me. I go full circle and this is why I think Frank was so good because he had such a great charismatic one-off voice and was a great singer, technically and otherwise.

 Oh we’re talking taste here now. I like some of Dylan’s songs such as “Tomorrow is a Long Time”. It’s a gorgeous song, but to me, not with Dylan singing it. However, with Ian and Sylvia singing it, it’s beautiful. I personally cannot stand to listen to Dylan and I never have. I recall a spoof of Dylan done by Mad Magazine back in the‘60’s In which a Dylan record was “reviewed”. The review mentioned that Dylan actually produces two musical notes; one on side A and another on side B. 🤪

[gmgraves]

8 hours ago, PYP said:

 

 I think that is a common reaction, however, I seemed to remember that several singers, including Frank Sinatra, thought Louis could sing:  

 

"As early as 1924, Armstrong was summarily dismissed by bandleader Fletcher Henderson when he asked to sing on a record.

Henderson's disparaging comments were neither the first nor the last Armstrong would hear about his singing. Ironically, he soon became the central singer in jazz and pop history. His gritty tenor mirrored his trumpet style and influenced practically every singer in pop and jazz. Artists including Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughan deeply admired Armstrong's singing and used his example to mold their own vocal styles."

 

On Ella and Louis, the juxtaposition of the fluid and the gritty delivery is just a wonderful stew.  I especially like when Ella imitates his singing.  You can "hear" them smiling at each other in appreciation of their respective talents.  

Well, technically, of course he was “singing“. And I enjoy him, but I wouldn’t want to hear him try “Nessun Dorma“.😉

[Audiophile Neuroscience]

22 minutes ago, gmgraves said:

The review mentioned that Dylan actually produces two musical notes; one on side A and another on side B. 🤪

 

Yes but it's what he does with those two notes that a lesser singer with a thousand 'runs' could not 😜

[Audiophile Neuroscience]

22 minutes ago, gmgraves said:

Well, technically, of course he was “singing“. And I enjoy him, but I wouldn’t want to hear him try “Nessun Dorma“.😉

 

or Frank Sinatra

[gmgraves]

4 hours ago, Audiophile Neuroscience said:

 

Yes but it's what he does with those two notes that a lesser singer with a thousand 'runs' could not 😜

If you mean he is unique, I’ll agree. Still can do without his singing, though.

[gmgraves]

4 hours ago, Audiophile Neuroscience said:

 

or Frank Sinatra

Of course. Although Frank’s rendition of “Old Man River” is vastly different from William Warfield’s, It’s just as effective even though the song was written for an operatic bass-baritone and Frankie wasn’t that!

[Bill Brown]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/u2bigf337aU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

Hope my embedding works.  First ever try!

 

Ellas's voice was close to perfect.  The pitch, tone, held notes, non-excessive vibrato (think Sarah Vaughan, though I also love her), just enough embellishment without the modern "vocal gymnastics"/technique for technique's sake that I hear.  Billie Holiday had the phrasing, oh my (like Frank!), but certainly not the voice.  In general, though, she knocks me out more.

 

I wish I could find the documentary on Louis' singing I saw years ago.  Historical context is important in this.  If you can think of non-classical singing before him in the 20's (wish I could demonstrate), you could see.  What he started was completely unique, just like his trumpet playing, and influences everything we have heard in non-classical since.

 

Sinatra called Tony Bennett the greatest singer.  I'll take Sinatra.

 

Rock:  Layne Staley!

 

 

Bill

[Bill Brown]

Damn!  Swing and a miss on the embedding.  Now it worked automatically!  Shouldn't have tried so hard

 

 

[Bill Brown]

George- wonderful reference to "Old Man River."  My favorite version:

 

 

 

[PYP]

20 minutes ago, Bill Brown said:

I wish I could find the documentary on Louis' singing I saw years ago.  Historical context is important in this.  If you can think of non-classical singing before him in the 20's (wish I could demonstrate), you could see.  What he started was completely unique, just like his trumpet playing, and influences everything we have heard in non-classical since.

 

Exactly.  He was an innovator and a natural.  What is is that each of the great singers "took" from his singing?  That may be the best way to appreciate his singing.  

[botrytis]

People forget Bing Crosby. The man had the most amazing baritone as well as business acumen. He started Ampex and recording on tape. He brought Tequila to the US (Jose Cuervo) and he sang in almost every genre out there. You could say, he was the first multimedia star - radio, television, movies, music.

 

https://www.grunge.com/215525/the-tragic-real-life-story-of-bing-crosby/

 

 

[Albrecht]

6 minutes ago, botrytis said:

People forget Bing Crosby. The man had the most amazing baritone as well as business acumen. He started Ampex and recording on tape. He brought Tequila to the US (Jose Cuervo) and he sang in almost every genre out there. You could say, he was the first multimedia star - radio, television, movies, music.

 

https://www.grunge.com/215525/the-tragic-real-life-story-of-bing-crosby/

 

 

Yet.. he had a lot of trouble holding & hitting notes. I was blown away by watching David Bowie blow him away singing "Little Drummer Boy" at that Christmas special. 

 

But, - it's always hard for me to detach singer/songwriter from singer. I don't take any "singer" seriously that doesn't write their own songs. That's probably not good as the definition of singer as something other than songwriter. For example, I would never, ever, consider Bing Crosby in the same "league" as David Bowie or Roy Orbison. 

 

Frank Sinatra completely SUCKS when you compare him to Bono of U2. U2's worst 10 minutes of rock pretentiousness & self-indulgence is still worlds better than a "crooner."

[Bill Brown]

1 hour ago, Albrecht said:

 

Frank Sinatra completely SUCKS when you compare him to Bono of U2. U2's worst 10 minutes of rock pretentiousness & self-indulgence is still worlds better than a "crooner."

 

Oh my.....

[Audiophile Neuroscience]

6 hours ago, botrytis said:

People forget Bing Crosby. The man had the most amazing baritone as well as business acumen. He started Ampex and recording on tape. He brought Tequila to the US (Jose Cuervo) and he sang in almost every genre out there. You could say, he was the first multimedia star - radio, television, movies, music.

 

https://www.grunge.com/215525/the-tragic-real-life-story-of-bing-crosby/

 

 

As much as I can enjoy Bing Crosby singing and he does have a unique voice, for me personally, he wouldn't make my top 10 list. I heard rumours that he was not such a nice fellow but I am not necessarily believing them. He may have just been a complex individual. Where I absolutely adore him is in the road movies with Bob Hope. I think their chemistry and comedic timing is just sheer genius. I even like the singing! I freely admit that there is probably a larger dollop of nostalgia in that assessment. I remember as a boy doing a 'Ferris Bueller' on my parents and staying home watching Bob Hope and Bing Crosby get up to shenanigans on the road to some new exotic location!

[Audiophile Neuroscience]

4 hours ago, Bill Brown said:

5 hours ago, Albrecht said:

 

Frank Sinatra completely SUCKS when you compare him to Bono of U2. U2's worst 10 minutes of rock pretentiousness & self-indulgence is still worlds better than a "crooner."

 

Oh my.....

I second your "oh my"....😁

[JoeWhip]

Not a huge Frank fan, but I second your second oh my,

[PYP]

On 8/26/2020 at 7:46 AM, JoeWhip said:

Come on guys, everyone in the know knows who the best singer is! 😎

 

 

Is is true that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree?  

[JoeWhip]

No, I can’t sing but was pretty good twinkling the ivories when I was young. It helps that he looks like his mom, but gets his style from me! 😀

[Audiophile Neuroscience]

On 8/27/2020 at 12:46 AM, JoeWhip said:

Come on guys, everyone in the know knows who the best singer is! 😎

 

 

 

Ah, of course this is your son. Sorry, when I first read this I thought it was a joke, that you were trying to make out you were a young good-looking talented singer that just happened to have a similar name. I am even more stupid because you happened to mention your son in a PM to me. Anyway, congratulations and my apologies for the oversight

[JoeWhip]

I wish I looked that good in 2016!

[gmgraves]

9 hours ago, Bill Brown said:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/u2bigf337aU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

Hope my embedding works.  First ever try!

 

Ellas's voice was close to perfect.  The pitch, tone, held notes, non-excessive vibrato (think Sarah Vaughan, though I also love her), just enough embellishment without the modern "vocal gymnastics"/technique for technique's sake that I hear.  Billie Holiday had the phrasing, oh my (like Frank!), but certainly not the voice.  In general, though, she knocks me out more.

I agree about Ella and Sarah Vaughan. I also loved to hear Dinah Washington sing.  She was “unforgettable”. 

Quote

 

I wish I could find the documentary on Louis' singing I saw years ago.  Historical context is important in this.  If you can think of non-classical singing before him in the 20's (wish I could demonstrate), you could see.  What he started was completely unique, just like his trumpet playing, and influences everything we have heard in non-classical since.

 

Sinatra called Tony Bennett the greatest singer.  I'll take Sinatra.

 

Rock:  Layne Staley!

 

 

Bill

Well, Tony Bennett May have had a better singing voice than Sinatra, but Sinatra’s talent was in his phrasing and the way he “wrapped his voice around a lyric”. And all I have to say about Louis Armstrong is that he was a National Treasure.

[gmgraves]

3 hours ago, Audiophile Neuroscience said:

As much as I can enjoy Bing Crosby singing and he does have a unique voice, for me personally, he wouldn't make my top 10 list. I heard rumours that he was not such a nice fellow but I am not necessarily believing them. He may have just been a complex individual. Where I absolutely adore him is in the road movies with Bob Hope. I think their chemistry and comedic timing is just sheer genius. I even like the singing! I freely admit that there is probably a larger dollop of nostalgia in that assessment. I remember as a boy doing a 'Ferris Bueller' on my parents and staying home watching Bob Hope and Bing Crosby get up to shenanigans on the road to some new exotic location!

About Bing’s personality. In the hills behind Stanford University, there used to be a “road house” that was, originally, a stage coach stop In the 1850’s. I can’t recall what they called the place, but I used to go there when I first moved to the Palo Alto CA area. They had cheap beer, and you could always find a stimulating conversation there as it was a hangout for Stanford students. One Friday evening, a friend and I were in there, and we noticed a gaggle of people gathered in a knot all around the bar. I couldn’t tell what the fascination was, but in the center of it all, I saw the top of a straw “pork-pie” fedora. So we mosey’d over to where everyone was gathered. When we got closer, I saw that the hat belonged to none-other than Bing Crosby. He was holding forth, telling stories about Hollywood, and some of the many stars he worked with, including (naturally) Bob Hope. We listened as Bing continued to drink and get a bit tipsy. Eventually, the throng thinned out and my friend and I found ourselves talking to Bing by ourselves. I asked him about something I had long noticed about his voice and always wondered about. In the early thirties, his voice was almost a tenor, but, by the late thirties it was a baritone. So I asked him how that happened. He lit up like a Christmas tree at that question (well, he was already partially lit) and told us that he had had a throat operation in (I believe he said 1935, but don’t quote me) and was told by the doctor not to try to speak for about 6 months. The doc also told him that his singing career was probably over, as the operation involved his larynx. Well, he followed the doctor’s advice and only whispered for about half a year. When the doc told him to try to speak, he found that his voice pitch had dropped an entire register. On his way home in his Packard, he tried singing and found that he could sing as well as ever, only in a lower register. He immediately called his Decca records producer and booked a recording session. The record that came from that session as “Deep Purple” and it was the first with his “new voice”. It became a big hit, world-wide (even the Germans liked him. They called him “Der Bingle”) and he was apprehensive that his fans wouldn’t accept his deeper voice.He needn’t have worried, as he said that it gave his career a big boost because the tenor crooner had fallen out of style and baritone singers like Tony Martin were becoming popular.

From that time on, anytime I was at that place (sure wish that I could remember it’s name. I seemed to recall it was an Italian name, but that’s as close as I can come to it, at this time.) at the same time as Crosby, he’d come over and sit with me. I thought he was a very friendly guy. He lived in Hillsborough, just a few miles up the San Francisco Peninsula from this Stanford hangout (Ernie Ford lived there too). He said that he enjoyed the company of young people that’s why he came to that place. I never got the sense that he was not a “nice fellow” or that he was stuck-up or self important like many celebrities seem to be. Of course, I can certainly understand why many celebrities come across as stand-offish. Privacy is thin on the ground when you are famous and everybody recognizes you whenever you go out in public.

[gmgraves]

2 hours ago, JoeWhip said:

I wish I looked that good in 2016!

Hell, I wished that I looked that good EVER! My dad looked like a movie star when he was young, but I, unfortunately, did not inherit his great looks. I inherited my mom’s mediocre looks, with a dash of the “ugly stick” thrown in for good measure..