JoeBala said:

Fernandito Villanova(Fantastic Dominican Singer)

So funny. I was going to put Fernandito in my top ten as well but I didn't think anyone would know who he was besides other dominicans.

Sam Cooke
Al Green
Ron Isley (w/Isley Bros)
Howard Hewitt
Stokley Williams
Kim Burrell
Aretha
Stevie
Caron Wheeler
Conya Doss

mjscarousal said:

LiLi1992 said:

add another 10 favorites:
11. David Gilmour
12. Michael Stipe
13. Elton John
14. James Hetfield
15. Amy Lee
16. David Bowie
17. Sting
18. Marc Anthony
19. Amy Winehouse
20. John Lennon

Damn I forgot about Amy Lee LOL her voice is beautiful...

Yes.
My immortal systematically brings me back to life.
One of my favorite songs of the 21st century.

Interestingly, in my list of top 20 only 3 girls and 2 of them - Amy. Something magical about the name.

"Favorite" singing voices, not necessarily "technically the best/flawless" -

George Michael

Smokey Robinson

Pedro Fernandez

Prince

Ella Fitzgerald

Sarah Vaughn

Norah Jones

Alison Krauss

Sufjan Stevens

John Mayer

Julie Andrews

(oops, that's 11)

LiLi1992 said:

mjscarousal said:

Damn I forgot about Amy Lee LOL her voice is beautiful...

Yes.
My immortal systematically brings me back to life.
One of my favorite songs of the 21st century.

Interestingly, in my list of top 20 only 3 girls and 2 of them - Amy. Something magical about the name.

My dog [the one in my avatar] is named Amy Lee, after the singer.

CrabalockerFishwife said:

LiLi1992 said:

Yes.
My immortal systematically brings me back to life.
One of my favorite songs of the 21st century.

Interestingly, in my list of top 20 only 3 girls and 2 of them - Amy. Something magical about the name.

My dog [the one in my avatar] is named Amy Lee, after the singer.

Lucky dog with a cute name.

El DeBarge

Michael Jackson

Boy George

Minnie Ripperton

Prince

Stevie Nicks

Stevie Wonder

Chaka

Gladys Knight

Jason Kay (Jamiroquai)

Sade

Roisin Murphy

[Edited 1/3/12 15:39pm]

I was exposed 2 way 2 much shit 2 just do 10, so don't mind me lol

Ron Isley

Marvin/David/Be Be/Ce Ce Winans

R. Kelly

Brandon Casey (Jagged Edge)

K-Ci & Jo Jo

Glenn Jones

Keith John (Stevie Wonder)

Gary Glenn/Johnathan Rasboro (Silk)

Ralph Tresvant/Ricky Bell (NE/BBD)

Dave Hollister (Force One Network/Blackstreet)

Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner/Billy Beck/James "Diamond" Williams (Ohio Players)

Jefferey Osbourne (LTD)

Michael Cooper/Felton Pilate (ConFunkShun)

Maurice White/Phllip Bailey (EWF)

Chaka Khan

Janis Joplin

Bille Holiday

Nancy Wilson

Val Young/JoAnn McDuffie (Mary Jane Girls)

Rick James

Bobby Womack

Marvin Gaye

Al Green

Gerald Levert

Melvin Riley (RFTW)

Allen McNeil/Steve Russell (Troop)

Eddie Levert/Walter Williams (The O'Jays)

Vanessa Williams

Gwen Stefani (No Doubt)

Sly Stone/Rosie Stone/Larry Graham (Sly & The Family Stone)

Jason Bryant/Mary Davis (SOS Band)

Lou Gramm (Foreginer)

Axl Rose

Lionel Richie/Walter Orange (Commodores)

Cory Glover (Living Colour)

Aaron Hall (Guy)

Maxwell

Stokley (Mint Condition)

Rapheal Saddiq/D'Wayne Wiggins (Toni Tony Tone)

Eddie Hazel/Phillipe Wynn/Garry Shider (P-Funk)

Curtis Mayfield

Sting

Seal

George Johnson (Brothers Johnson)

Ann Wilson (Heart)

DLH/Sammy Hagar

Issac Hayes

Phil Collins/Peter Gabriel (Genesis)

TTD/Sananda

Lenny Kravitz

Dug Pinnick (King's X)

Gary Cherone (Extreme)

Barry White

Sam Porter/Dave Prater

Leslie & Melvin Wilson/Londee Wiggins (The New Birth)

Pete Rivera (Rare Earth)

Dennis Edwards/Eddie Kendricks (Temptations)

Levi Stubbs (Four Tops)

Roger Troutman/Bobby Glover (Zapp)

Joyce Kennedy (Mother's Finest)

Michael/Jermaine Jackson

Peter Cox (Go West)

Bill Champlin/Peter Cetera/Robert Lamm (Chicago)

Stevie Wonder

Bob Marley/Peter Tosh

Stevie Ray Vaughn

[Edited 1/3/12 17:53pm]

[Edited 1/3/12 18:00pm]

[Edited 1/3/12 18:12pm]

[Edited 1/3/12 18:16pm]

Harlepolis said:

From my end, the reason why I included Prince was because of his ability to sing the same way he manipulated his guitar playing to fit a style. Like the Jazz vocalists of the past, you could tell he regards his own voice as one of the instruments, as opposed to viechle for singing.

Doesn't possesse a large vocal range, but the sheer versitality compensated for it. This is the reason why I have him in my list, and this is also the common factor that linked the rest of the singers I mentioned, save for Lady Day.

^^ I agree with that. That's why I enjoy the "jazz" vocalists (in quotes because that's kind of a nebulous genre nowadays) - it's pleasing in the context of the whole music, harmonizing, and expressive, and not just histrionics.

Michael Jackson

Stevie Wonder

Donny Hathaway

George Michael

Terence Trent D'Arby

Paul Weller

Patti Labelle

Kate Bush

Chuckii Booker

Alexander O'Neal

Male

1. Sam Cooke

2. Freddie Mercury

3. Elvis Presley

4. Ray Charles

5. Michael Jackson (preferably as a kid)

6. Prince

7. Marvin Gaye

8. Frank Sinatra

9. Johnny Mathis

10. Peabo Bryson

Female

1. Aretha Franklin

2. Whitney Houston

3. Patti Labelle

4. Mariah Carey

5. Christina Aguilera

6. Deniece Williams

7. Kelly Clarkson

8. Gladys Knight

9. Carrie Underwood

10. Celine Dion

In no particular order (and of course with many names missing to stay at 10):

Robert Plant

Prince

Elvis

Aretha

Marvin

Jackie Wilson

Sam Cooke

Janis Joplin

Dolly Parton

Dean Martin

Something that most of my favorite vocalists have in common, is first off a great instrument to start with and secondly and really maybe even more importantly, a distinct and emotional use of that instrument.

There has been some criticism of Prince's voice in this thread, which I can certainly understand, but he so often nails the combination of what his voice can do and how he chooses to do it. For instance the film version of "The Cross"; the way he breaks his voice perfectly on the lyric "sweet song of salvation, a pregnant mother sings" is an incredible example of this quality.

No particular order:

Shanice

Mariah Carey

Celine Dion

Christina Aguilera

Heather Headley

Sade

Patti LaBelle

Luther Vandross

Maxwell

Prince

Cheating because I gotta do a Top 20 (in no particular order either):

Jennifer Hudson

CeCe Winans

Donna Summer

Anita Baker

P!nk

Monica

Marvin Gaye

Donny Hathaway

John Mayer

Tevin Campbell

Default just because she was soo good but now not so much:

OLD Whitney Houston

Slap me for not saying Luther Vandross because he was one of the premier voices of all time!!

Also Regina Belle.

And Lisa Fischer!!!

And underrated Tracie Spencer.

And Brandy and Monica.

1. Marvin Gaye

2.Prince

3.The Delfonics

4.The Stylistics

5.Tina Turner

6.Steve Perry (from Journey)

7.Michael Jackson

8.Janet Jackson

9.Lady Gaga

10.Adele

1. Michael Jackson (I have never heard a voice make me cry as much as his does, his voice had so much raw emotion that nobody can come close to)

2. Aretha Franklin (Her sass and flare and vocals were amazing during her height)

3. Whitney Houston (When she was good, she beat everyone in ths list, but when she was bad, oooh man she was bad, that's why she's here)

4. Janet Jackson (Her voice sometimes would become apart of instrumentation. Very emotional vocals, and very angry vocals, great mx.

5. Prince (Do I have to say why?)

6. Marvin Gaye (Sexy, emotioal, sweet, dirty, clean, fun, all at the same time. A true tortured genius)

7. Lady Gaga (Put those voice effects down and she can really sing. Absolutely love when she goes crazy)

8. Sade (Sensual, jaw-dropping vocals, nobody sounds anything like her)

9. George Michael (Very emotional vocals during his height, Carless Whispers still remains, to me, one of the greatest songs emotionlly by any artist)

10. Teena Marie (Very much a feel good artist. Her vocals were so similar to African vocals yet 80's white girl at the same time)

11. Mariah Carey (She's too repetitive for me)

12. Luther Vandross

13. Chaka Khan/Patti LaBelle (Can't pick whch one I like more)

14. Amy Winehouse

15. Sam Cooke

16. Adele

17. R. Kelly

18. Steve Wonder

19. Rick James

20. Freddie Mercury

estelle81 said:

No particular order:

Shanice

Mariah Carey

Celine Dion

Christina Aguilera

Heather Headley

Sade

Patti LaBelle

Luther Vandross

Maxwell

Prince

Cheating because I gotta do a Top 20 (in no particular order either):

Jennifer Hudson

CeCe Winans

Donna Summer

Anita Baker

P!nk

Monica

Marvin Gaye

Donny Hathaway

John Mayer

Tevin Campbell

Default just because she was soo good but now not so much:

OLD Whitney Houston

YESSSSS TEVIN

diamond537 said:

1. Marvin Gaye

2.Prince

3.The Delfonics

4.The Stylistics

5.Tina Turner

6.Steve Perry (from Journey)

7.Michael Jackson

8.Janet Jackson

9.Lady Gaga

10.Adele

Im glad someone else loves the Stylistics... I LOVE them so much lol

lezama said:

JoeBala said:

Fernandito Villanova(Fantastic Dominican Singer)

So funny. I was going to put Fernandito in my top ten as well but I didn't think anyone would know who he was besides other dominicans.

Yeah Lezama I've been a longtime fan since Los Hijos Del Rey. If you like Latin music you can't miss this truly blessed singer.

aardvark15 said:

1. Michael Jackson (I have never heard a voice make me cry as much as his does, his voice had so much raw emotion that nobody can come close to)

2. Aretha Franklin (Her sass and flare and vocals were amazing during her height)

3. Whitney Houston (When she was good, she beat everyone in ths list, but when she was bad, oooh man she was bad, that's why she's here)

4. Janet Jackson (Her voice sometimes would become apart of instrumentation. Very emotional vocals, and very angry vocals, great mx.

5. Prince (Do I have to say why?)

6. Marvin Gaye (Sexy, emotioal, sweet, dirty, clean, fun, all at the same time. A true tortured genius)

7. Lady Gaga (Put those voice effects down and she can really sing. Absolutely love when she goes crazy)

8. Sade (Sensual, jaw-dropping vocals, nobody sounds anything like her)

9. George Michael (Very emotional vocals during his height, Carless Whispers still remains, to me, one of the greatest songs emotionlly by any artist)

10. Teena Marie (Very much a feel good artist. Her vocals were so similar to African vocals yet 80's white girl at the same time)

11. Mariah Carey (She's too repetitive for me)

12. Luther Vandross

13. Chaka Khan/Patti LaBelle (Can't pick whch one I like more)

14. Amy Winehouse

15. Sam Cooke

16. Adele

17. R. Kelly

18. Steve Wonder

19. Rick James

20. Freddie Mercury

Gaga? Well, yes ..
The girl can sing.

A good list to me, close to my taste, 80% of people among my favorites too.

Paul Carrack (Mike & The Mechanics)

Hall & Oates

Jose Feliciano

Otis Redding

George Duke

Larry Dodson/Sherman Guy (Bar Kays)

Ray Charles

Chuckii Booker

Gregory "Sugar Bear" Elliot/Edward "Junie" Henderson (E.U.)

David Lewis/Wayne Lewis/Sharon Bryant/Barbara Weathers (Atlantic Starr)

Joi Giliiam

Alicia Keys

Me'Shell Ndegeocello

Bowlegged Lou & Paul Anthony (Full Force)

Erykah Badu

Andre 3000 (Outkast)

Jill Scott

N'Dea Davenport (Brand New Heavies)

Charlie Wilson (Gap Band)

Donnie McClurkin

Force MD's

Larry Blackmon/Tomi Jenkins/Wayne Cooper (Cameo)

Anthony Hamilton

D'Angelo

Buddy Guy

Kim Wilson (Fabulous Thunderbirds)

Eric Clapton

Henry & JoJo Garza (Los Lonley Boys)

In no particular order -

James Brown

Elvis Presley

Roy Orbison

Howlin Wolf

Louis Armstrong

Carl Wilson (of the Beach Boys)

Freddie Mercury

Beatles (John, Paul and George harmonising together)

Scott Walker

Johnny Cash

Honourable mentions -

Sly Stone

Dennis Chambers (in his Temptations era)

Phillip Bailey

Curtis Mayfield

Stevie Wonder

Prince

Bob Dylan (Time Out of Mind era)

David Bowie

Willie Nelson

Sarah Vaughn

Mahalia Jackson

Kate Bush

John Lee Hooker

Jim Morrison

Muddy Waters

Gary Shider

Nat King Cole

Jimi Hendrix

Bob Marley

Horace Andy

Bobby Darin

Frank Sinatra

Tom Jones

Gene Pitney

And many more:-)

I like her voice a lot

Lara Fabian - Je t`aime

ONLY 10?

Prince

Stokely Williams

Donny Hathaway

Lalah Hathaway

Sam Cooke

Rachel Ferrelle

Stevie Wonder

Luther

Charlie Wilson

Terence Trent D'Arby

Honestly a lot of the Prince comments on here have me doing the headscratch.

Listen to "Power Fantastic" or "There Is Lonely" and tell me with a straight face that that man can't sing. Is his voice THE best of all-time? No, but it's weird to me that people are denying the man can sing his ass off. Just because he uses his voice in an unorthodox way often (which I think is intentional), doesn't mean he doesn't have chops.

If you think Prince doesn't have a good (damn good) voice, then you're fucking tone-deaf.

mjscarousal said:

Another top Ten list of mine

Barry White

Teddy Pendegrass

Donny Hathoway

David Ruffin

George Michael

Minnie Ripperton

Doris Day

John Lennon

Otis Redding

Al Green

Ohhh lawd Jesus how could I forget EARTH WIND AND FIRE... shame on me.. smh I know better

CHARLIE WILSON

[Edited 12/30/11 9:50am]

the first one that came to mind. then Luther Vandross Whitney Houston (precrack era) Chaka Khan Karen Carpenter Minnie Ripperton Al Green All the women from Envogue EWF Anita Baker

Daunting question; if I tried to name off everybody I'd be over here a long time and frankly I can't be arsed to do that so I'll rattle off a few : Nikka Costa, Susannah Melvoin, MJ, Prince.

Dren5 said:

Honestly a lot of the Prince comments on here have me doing the headscratch.

Listen to "Power Fantastic" or "There Is Lonely" and tell me with a straight face that that man can't sing. Is his voice THE best of all-time? No, but it's weird to me that people are denying the man can sing his ass off. Just because he uses his voice in an unorthodox way often (which I think is intentional), doesn't mean he doesn't have chops.

If you think Prince doesn't have a good (damn good) voice, then you're fucking tone-deaf.

Prince can DEFINITELY sing. I purposely left him off my list because of this forum lol

I don't know if I forgot to mention Donny... I think there's too many "favorite singing voices".

Graycap23 said:

ONLY 10?

you can make a big list if you like, we do not have hard limits.

In no order;

Terence Trent D'arby

Michael Jackson

Janet Jackson

Denice Williams

Sade

George Michael

Luther Vandross

Diana Ross

Anita Baker

Chaka Khan