I have avoided legendary sopranos like Pavarotti and likes and tried to include multiple genres. I’ve avoided opera singers of all sorts because if I had picked them, then the list would have been an impossible one to populate.
One Caveat - this is my list heh heh. I’ll try to include a description of my choices and also a song or two that might be worth a listen:)
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The Ten That I Chose - Female
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:10: Karen Carpenter
She was the voice that made The Carpenters a household name. The Carpenters were Richard and Karen, two extremely gifted siblings. Karen’s voice was so crisp and crystal clear that you could identify every syllable she sang. She died of anorexia in the early 80’s. My Pick: Contact(calling occupants of interplanetary craft)
:09: Annie Lennox
Eurythmics anyone? A woman with an awesome voice. Listen to her on songs like Here Comes The Rain Again and Sweet Dreams Are Made Of These
:08: Mariah Carey
She has a vocal range that can only be termed INCREDIBLE. Although I’ve never been a fan of her songs, there is no denying the fact that she must be one of the greatest female vocalists of all times.
:07: Aretha Franklin
The mama of gospel, soul, Rhythm n Blues, rock n roll. Amazing voice and an awesome stage presence. Has teamed up with a lot of major names including George Michael for a nice little song called - I Knew You Were Waiting For Me.
:06: Sinead O’Connor
Years ago, I remember hearing a song called Mandinka by Sinead O’Connor - a beautiful woman with a shaved head and an amazing voice that leapt from high to low within the matter of seconds. She’s supposed to have shaved her head to prevent people from staring at her beauty(Oh well.). She did a great version of Prince’s Nothing Compares 2 You. Listen to Mandinka. brilliant song.
:05: Julie Andrews
In a list of Favourite Things, one cant exclude this legendary lady. All you got to do is remember that the hills are still alive with the SOUND OF MUSIC.
:04: Janis Joplin
Hers was a life cut short by drug abuse. Hers was also a gutwrenching voice that could churn out some of the most soulful blues rock. Grab this song - Piece Of My Heart
:03: Sade
Why did I even pick Sade? Because she has one of the crispest and most beautiful voices. Imagine a night club with just a crooner and some nice synth pop music. Sade would be that crooner. Listen to Smooth Operator and Sweetest Taboo
:02: Enya
Incredibly talented lady who spawned a number of new age hits and movie soundtracks like The Gladiator and Last Of The Mohicans. I’d have to write a whole review on Enya to do justice to her. Grab the record - Paint The Sky With Stars - to experience Enya
:01: Diamanda Galas
The greatest female vocalist of them all. You might go HUH when you see this name here but let me explain. Here’s a lady with a FIVE octave voice that can hit highs that can shatter glass. Enough said.
Special Mention: Whitney Houston, Tina Turner, Madonna, Barbara Streisand etc.
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The Ten That I Chose - Male
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See. this is where my my rock roots kick in.
:10: Eddie Vedder
The frontman of Pearl Jam. I had to include him in here because of that extremely powerful voice of his and also that beautiful song on Dead Man Walking - the Sean Penn / Susan Sarandon movie. Listen to Pearl Jam’s first two records Ten and Vs. for a taste of his sound.
:09: Axl Rose
One of the greatest frontmen of all time, he could hit the highs and the lows with relative ease. There was this video I had of the Guns n Roses’ Japanese tour. He must have run atleast 10 miles up and down the stage while singing and he must have had atleast 50+ outfit changes. talk about being hyper.
The beautiful song November Rain owes its existance to Axl Rose
:08: Bono
The man who deserves a knighthood for two reasons - his incredible music and his awesome work in many a humanitarian cause. His talents at writing and his incredible vocals are best showcased in the grammy winning record - Joshua Tree
:07: Rob Halford
Years ago, when I wasnt into heavy metal, I heard this man sing. I was hooked. Judas Priest made me listen to metal. There’s a song called PAINKILLER. Listen to it and you will wonder how the hell he hit those notes.
:06: Elvis Presley
The rock n roll legend had one of the most versatile voices ever. My favourite songs - Jailhouse Rock, King Creole and Heartbreak Hotel. oh well. lots more:)
:05: Sebastian Bach
Boy, does he have a powerful voice or does he have a powerful voice. He sang for Skid Row. Songs to listen to are - 18 and Life and Wasted Time
:04: Ian Gillan
The Silver Throated Screamer from Deep Purple. The man that sang Child In Time, Smoke On The Water and other classics. What more to say.
:03: George Michael
I remember getting my first taste of popularity when I learnt how to sing Careless Whispers without sounding all that bad. George Michael is one of my all time favourites. My Pick: Father Figure
:02: Freddie Mercury
The extremely gifted singer of Queen. all one has to do is hear Bohemian Rhapsody to understand why his was one of the greatest throats of all time. He died of AIDS in the early 90s.
:01: Robert Plant
The man who inspired me! Led Zeppelin is my inspiration and Robert Plant - the perfect frontman. What to listen to? EVERYTHING HE’S EVER SUNG!
Special Mention: Those legendary bluesmen like Muddy Waters, Elton John, Sting, Bruce Dickinson etc.
~finis~
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Tribute
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Here are some voices that have given me joy and some great songs
Cat Stevens
Harry Belafonte
Bob Dylan
J J Cale
PS: Formatting this took more time than writing it. groan.