Most amazing voice you've ever heard?

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  • tempo_n_groove
    tempo_n_groove Posts: 41,385

    He's no Freddie Mercury, he's no Ella Fitzgerald, but, for me, speaking as :ahem: a woman, there never will be another Benjamin Orr. He had the sexiest voice I've ever heard; thirty-eight (!) years after this song's release, I still need a cold shower after watching this video.

    Edit to add: Should this go in the "best bass face" thread, too?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vffk--hPySU

    Very feisty!
  • hedonist
    hedonist Posts: 24,524

    He's no Freddie Mercury, he's no Ella Fitzgerald, but, for me, speaking as :ahem: a woman, there never will be another Benjamin Orr. He had the sexiest voice I've ever heard; thirty-eight (!) years after this song's release, I still need a cold shower after watching this video.

    Edit to add: Should this go in the "best bass face" thread, too?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vffk--hPySU

    Loved his voice in All Mixed Up.

    He's among those I felt such sadness when learning of his passing.
  • pljam
    pljam Posts: 387
    ED VED as well for me,from the point of view that Ed really forces the emotion of the particular song especially through the first decade ,his voice during those younger years drew you in,the aggression of the heavier songs and soulfulness of the slower
    No way am I saying the greatest vocalist but in answering most amazing Ed is top ranked I think,he has the unique ability and voice to take you into the song IMO
  • nooram
    nooram Posts: 392
    Seattle 8/91, MPLS 3/92, St Paul 8/92, Denver 6/95, Missoula 6/98, MPLS 6/98, Albuquerque 10/00, Seattle 12/02, St Paul 6/03, Thunder Bay 9/05, DC 5/06, St Paul x2 6/06, Vancouver (EV) 4/08, DC 6/08, Chicago x2 8/09, KC 5/10, MPLS (EV) 7/11, Chicago 7/13, St Paul 10/14, Santiago 11/15, Missoula 8/18, Denver 9/22, Saint Paul 8/23, Saint Paul 9/23, Auckland, NZ x2 11/24
  • DarthMaeglin
    DarthMaeglin Toronto Posts: 2,994
    I don't know if I should mention Clare Torry who most famously wailed beautifully on Pink Floyd's The Great Gig In The Sky.

    I hesitate only because that's the only work of hers that I've knowingly heard, but 25+ years after first hearing the song, and countless listens, it stills gives me a lump in my throat, lol. It's as much Richard Wright's haunting melodies as well, but when that song comes on, I stop and listen (whenever feasible, lol).
    "The world is full of idiots and I am but one of them."

    10-30-1991 Toronto, Toronto 1 & 2 2016, Toronto 2022
  • hedonist
    hedonist Posts: 24,524
    Who knew Sam Kinison had such a voice?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjaGQpuBmW4
    Really though, Elton's old-school voice (and music) gets me every time.


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFbCd-gGigM
  • tempo_n_groove
    tempo_n_groove Posts: 41,385
    No Nick Hexum, Elvis, james Brown, Bradley Noel or Celine Dione lovers?
  • toolie
    toolie Posts: 397
    Best voice live??? That would go to Dallas Green (City and Colour). He's dorky looking and was with a screamo band forever but when I saw him solo live he made the hair on my neck stand. Dude's got the voice of an angel!!!!
    And best all around?? Ella Fitzgerald. She's only #4 on my "wish I'd seen em" list (Behind AIC with Layne, The Doors and The Band (#1)) but man she had the pipes.
  • pjalive21
    pjalive21 St. Louis, MO Posts: 2,818
    Going off music i grew up with....

    Layne Staley...while everyone tried copying Vedder, Layne was in a class of his own
  • hedonist
    hedonist Posts: 24,524
    I think it's just what hits. Cuts through when and where we need it. How voice/emotion is given, and taken.

    Bowie? Love him.

    But her?
    :heart:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5nYX-iuUFk
  • Merkin Baller
    Merkin Baller Posts: 12,787
    pjalive21 said:

    Going off music i grew up with....

    Layne Staley...while everyone tried copying Vedder, Layne was in a class of his own

    +1

    I never knew about him singing in "Ring them Bells" with Heart until a couple years ago. (Around the Mad Season reissue)

    I listened that night & it was pretty awesome to hear his voice in a new song again. Man, I miss that guy's singing.
  • JustaPJFan
    JustaPJFan Posts: 710
    Eddie Vedder, Matthew Bellamy, Tom Smith, Bono.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXUCFk8VJFY
  • JH6056
    JH6056 Posts: 2,437

    He's no Freddie Mercury, he's no Ella Fitzgerald, but, for me, speaking as :ahem: a woman, there never will be another Benjamin Orr. He had the sexiest voice I've ever heard; thirty-eight (!) years after this song's release, I still need a cold shower after watching this video.

    Edit to add: Should this go in the "best bass face" thread, too?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vffk--hPySU

    Oh YEAH! He would have never occurred to me for this thread of most wow voices, but that man and that song... I also need a cold shower now! Always adored that song... There are some good videos from that show "The Midnight Special" of the Cars, if you haven't checked those out.
  • JH6056
    JH6056 Posts: 2,437
    hedonist said:

    I think it's just what hits. Cuts through when and where we need it. How voice/emotion is given, and taken.

    Bowie? Love him.

    But her?
    :heart:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5nYX-iuUFk

    So glad you posted this. Aside from missing Bowie something awful, she is truly amazing and I'd never seen this video. Lovely! Bowie didn't mess around with anyone less than the best, but he found the best in so many areas most major musicians don't look. Will always love him for that.
  • JH6056
    JH6056 Posts: 2,437
    edited July 2016
    As usual with good threads, I had certain people in mind when I read the title, then read through and added a whole other long list to my original list! Interesting also that this list doesn't completely correspond with my top favorite artists ever... I'd never have the Clash or Rage Against the Machine on my best vocalist list, but they're definitely on my favorite bands ever list.

    But if I'm really limiting it to the 10 or so most "WOW" voices I can think of off the bat, it would be these:

    Jeff Buckley
    Billie Holiday
    Cassandra Wilson (check out album Blue Light Til Dawn)
    Mahalia Jackson (yes, astounding voice!)
    Sam Cooke
    Thom Yorke
    Glen Hansard
    Michael Stipe
    Eddie Vedder
    And even though I almost never see anyone talk about this guy here, his voice is astounding: Hozier - check out this acoustic video

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bH9mRs3sW7A
    Post edited by JH6056 on
  • tempo_n_groove
    tempo_n_groove Posts: 41,385
    Sure there are many great voices out there, I love a bunch of the ones that everyone have said but do any of them move you to tears?

    Keep them coming!!!
  • pickupyourwill
    pickupyourwill Posts: 3,135
    edited July 2016
    JH6056 said:

    As usual with good threads, I had certain people in mind when I read the title, then read through and added a whole other long list to my original list! Interesting also that this list doesn't completely correspond with my top favorite artists ever... I'd never have the Clash or Rage Against the Machine on my best vocalist list, but they're definitely on my favorite bands ever list.

    But if I'm really limiting it to the 10 or so most "WOW" voices I can think of off the bat, it would be these:

    Jeff Buckley
    Billie Holiday
    Cassandra Wilson (check out album Blue Light Til Dawn)
    Mahalia Jackson (yes, astounding voice!)
    Sam Cooke
    Thom Yorke
    Glen Hansard
    Michael Stipe
    Eddie Vedder
    And even though I almost never see anyone talk about this guy here, his voice is astounding: Hozier - check out this acoustic video

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bH9mRs3sW7A

    I was just telling a friend about Hozier tonight~~swoon~~ :) lol, jk

    He IS amazing!! I just heard From Eden for the first time a couple weeks ago~~dude's got skills and SOUL...hard to believe he's only 26!! I know he's Irish, but its the way he forms his words when he sings that is so unique....and his lyrics kick ass! Only other ones I know of his are Someone New and Take Me to Church--great songs.

    Your top 10 list is amazing, JH6056. There's 2 I've never heard of--will have to check them out.

    Post edited by pickupyourwill on
  • FinsburyParkCarrots
    FinsburyParkCarrots Seattle, WA Posts: 12,223
    Here's something they don't teach you at school: soul.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4LpCw9C85M
  • JH6056
    JH6056 Posts: 2,437

    JH6056 said:

    As usual with good threads, I had certain people in mind when I read the title, then read through and added a whole other long list to my original list! Interesting also that this list doesn't completely correspond with my top favorite artists ever... I'd never have the Clash or Rage Against the Machine on my best vocalist list, but they're definitely on my favorite bands ever list.

    But if I'm really limiting it to the 10 or so most "WOW" voices I can think of off the bat, it would be these:

    Jeff Buckley
    Billie Holiday
    Cassandra Wilson (check out album Blue Light Til Dawn)
    Mahalia Jackson (yes, astounding voice!)
    Sam Cooke
    Thom Yorke
    Glen Hansard
    Michael Stipe
    Eddie Vedder
    And even though I almost never see anyone talk about this guy here, his voice is astounding: Hozier - check out this acoustic video

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bH9mRs3sW7A

    I was just telling a friend about Hozier tonight~~swoon~~ :) lol, jk

    He IS amazing!! I just heard From Eden for the first time a couple weeks ago~~dude's got skills and SOUL...hard to believe he's only 26!! I know he's Irish, but its the way he forms his words when he sings that is so unique....and his lyrics kick ass! Only other ones I know of his are Someone New and Take Me to Church--great songs.

    Your top 10 list is amazing, JH6056. There's 2 I've never heard of--will have to check them out.

    Cool, which 2 had you not heard of?

    Honey, don't even get me started on Hozier! I can gush about him waaaaay too long... inappropriately long! If you can find either his Bonnaroo 2015 set or Glastonbury, you'll get a good idea of what else he's capable of.

    This here though, it's my favorite song of his if I had to pick one (Arsonists Lullabye)... slow start, but powerful and lyrics amazing, like all his lyrics. Literally, they're all either good, great, or mind-fucking-blown great...

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5e3D39Yn4I