What is the best singer of all time? (without Miles Davis)

[mat.bez.lima]

I created a new topic about this because I commited a great error in my poll in my original topic and the majority of people joked in the votation. I was desinformed when I put Miles Davis, it was not a joke. I confess that I know little about music still. This poll will have 30 days.

[Pierre]

My favourite singers in popular music are, as stated in the other topic, Tim and Jeff Buckley, and, as stated into that same other topic, I'm generally more interested by the music than the vocals anyway.

As for who the best singer of all time is, I voted Another singer simply because I don't think it's possible to actually choose one. I think a lot of factors can be taken into account when judging a singer's performance. Actually, even Mark E. Smith can be perceived as a great singer for his particular approach, if you consider that vocal range and musicality are not the main criteria of evaluation for his own style. I'm not saying he is a great singer, mind you, just that his style is well suited to his artistic choices.

That said, someone explains to me what the heck is Christina Aguilera doing in the selection?

[luney6]

I forgot to mention Jim Morrison last time. Also: Judy Collins, Karen Carpenter, Alanis Morissette, and Billie Holiday even. And Grace Slick as well.

[spiritualized]

Actually, even Mark E. Smith can be perceived as a great singer for his particular approach, if you consider that vocal range and musicality are not the main criteria of evaluation for his own style. I'm not saying he is a great singer, mind you, just that his style is well suited to his artistic choices.

ROFL I love The Fall (#2 on my all-time artist list) , but Pierre, you would be the first person to imply (even though you're not really ) that Mark E Smith sings well - every time I make someone discover this band, it's unanimous : the bloke can't sing ! But that's what makes the charm of the Fall...

[Pierre]

Actually, even Mark E. Smith can be perceived as a great singer for his particular approach, if you consider that vocal range and musicality are not the main criteria of evaluation for his own style. I'm not saying he is a great singer, mind you, just that his style is well suited to his artistic choices.

ROFL I love The Fall (#2 on my all-time artist list) , but Pierre, you would be the first person to imply (even though you're not really ) that Mark E Smith sings well - every time I make someone discover this band, it's unanimous : the bloke can't sing ! But that's what makes the charm of the Fall...

Yeah, of course, and I didn't actually say he sings well But indeed, his singing is part of what makes The Fall, and without him on vocals, it wouldn't be the same. That's why I say he's well suited for what he does

[Daniel]

Kind of puzzled that you included Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and Barbra Streisand, but did not include David Bowie, Robert Plant, Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney or John Lennon.

Either way, I voted for Freddie Mercury, who I think is the best singer of all time.

[Listyguy]

In terms of pure vocal ability, I would have to go with either Aretha Franklin, Jeff Buckley or Freddie Mercury. Buckley's probably my top choice...his vocal range was remarkable.

[Dexter]

I bet the votes for "another singer" was for... Miles Davis!!! Kidding aside, I voted for Freddie Mercury. Mariah Carey and Christina Aguilera (and even Celine Dion) may register the higher notes but that does not make them great singers. Also, having a great voice is not limited to English-speaking singers, check out NPR's 50 greatest voices nominations:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... =114013402
As can be read in the NPR nominations, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan and Tom Waits can't sing in the traditional sense but their distinctive voices splendidly brought to life the lyrics they wrote.