I am trying not to let classics rule this list. Just because the voice is older doesn't make it better. However, the older voices are known for a reason.
Shirley Manson- Out of everyone on this list, except may
be Karen O and definitely Grace Slick, she ROCKED. That is not common for a female voice.
Duffy, New on the scene, but I just can't get enough pf her songs. She is a as great of a songwriter/performer as she is musician, which is a reason she only gets an honorable mention here, even though she is more my favorite than many
on the Top 5.
Karen O (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)- I am shocked she doesn't make the Top 5. But that is the trouble with a top 5 list. There can only be 5. I gave her an honorable mention only because her band adds a lot to her sound.
Billy Holliday- Alright, possibly her voice is better than some in my top 5, but I don't really crave listening to Billie Holiday, so I couldn't, in good conscience, put her in my top 5.
5. Beth Gibbons (Portishead),
This chick's voice is fuckin' sick. She invokes amazing levels of emotion. Her surprise lyrics don't hurt either.
4. Grace Slick (Jefferson Starship),
Grace Slick was fucked up. But like many great musicians her unfortunate drug addictions either helped or didn't hinder her amazing songs. Amazing.
3 Aretha Franklin,
Give R-E-S-P-E-C-T where it is due. This lady had pipes.
Yeah, I know what your thinking, "Why is she in the top 5 with Aretha and Ella?" Well, history aside, I think Zooey's voice is legendary. It's rare I think its shame someone got success as an actor before their fame as a musician, because Zooey makes ridiculously good music.1 .Ella Fitzgerald,
How many people have fallen in love without one of her songs as part of the theme track? I don't know any, myself included. She is inconquerable. And I don't use that word lightly.
Posts
2 comments:
Billy Holliday doesnt crack the top 5? Duffy gets mention but no Adele? Ever hear Nina Simone sing now that was a voice. But I must thank you for not even going the Beyonce route. I know you don't posses enough estrogen to mention Sarah Mclachlan, but i assumed you were white boy enough to mention alison krauss
Do you mean, "many" in the line about Ella Fitzgerald instead of "any"? Because one of my fav moments back when I was with Jess involved Fitzgerald in the background. She is the best female voice ever.
And Zooey should not be in the Top Five. I like her voice too, but come on. Top Five??
And you got to put Dinah Washington on this list. Has to be there. And two more obscure ones that I can't complain aren't on here--Claire Tory, the vocalist that has the booming voice on Pink Floyd's "Great Gig in the Sky". Also, Mary Clayton should be a honorable mention. She does the great voice in the middle of the Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter" that is so famous now. Clayton's daughter, Merry (yeah can you believe that?) has sang on a couple of Sparta songs that are good.
Post a Comment