The Best Singers Of All Time

I had this conversation the other night over dinner with some of my friends from the entertainment industry.

Who are the best singers of all time and why?

The conversation was exiting, stimulating, even heated (in a nice sort of way). The support for her, the "how can you say that" for him. There were no winners or losers but a great time was had by all. At least I wasn't ranting about the usual subjects. (You who have read my blogs before know what I'm talking about.)

Anyway I offer my choices and my arguments for. You are welcome to contribute, so leave your choice in the comments and I'll write about them in the next blog. Let's see if we can create a consensus of opinion. No particular order but here goes with my list:


Tony Bennet

Here is one of the greatest interpreters of lyric and melody ever. His phrasing and timing are out of this world. He seems to know instinctively what the composer has in mind, almost as if he lived with the song before performing it. Listen to the dynamic. You cannot help but be moved. Thanks Tony, for all the pleasure you have given me and my lovers.


Shirley Bassey

I first heard Shirley as a teenager, a while back (none of your business). Here is, for me, a role model for any aspiring young singer, male or female. How does she find the passion and expression that her wonderfully dynamic voice exudes? She moves me so much when I listen to her. When I listen and watch then I am a total mess for days afterwards.


Andrea Botcelli

Now having taken over from a list of superb classical voices that include, Pavarotti, Domingo, the very great Swedish tenor Jussi Bjorling and Mario Lanza. Andrea's trumpet like tenor is as clean as a church bell even when he soars effortlessly into the "d" above high "c". There is no compromise, he never falters staying true to the melody and even though he does not radiate "showbiz" his wonderful voice moves everyone irrespective of age or music choice.


Nina Simone

Where do you start with Nina? Here is a wonderful artist who has taken on the mantle of her people, the oppression they endured and narrated with music and song the struggles. There is not a chance on Earth that her interpretations, with that voice that seems to live the often sad lyrics, won’t influence you forever. Not just musically, Nina will influence your very soul. You always need to come back for more. It may even change the way you see the World and yourself.


Here I run up against a wall of great "pop" singers. The list could be long from, Sam Cooke, Otis Reading, David Ruffin, Ben E King, Luther Van dross, Aretha Franklin and yes even Michael Jackson. But I'm going for,


Barbra Streisand

An artist who has inspired so many of today’s talent. Celine Dion to name one. Here is truly one of the outstanding voices of all time. In fact if you forced me to choose just one to listen to for the rest of my life it would have to be "Babs".

Fantasia

Well! I have recently listened and watched, 2 years too late apparently, the singularly most inspiring and wonderful singer since Babs.
Fantasia, wow. a combination of Nina simone, Billy Holiday, Diana Ross and Aretha.
Easily the best voice for years.
Full of passion, fabulous timing, wondeful phrasing and has obviously lived the lyrics she expresses with the voice so rare. Thanks Fantasia.


So all of you who think I knock America too much! I believe that the "Great American Song Book" is the best modern music ever! That's it for now. Let's give it some thought and come back with some more.


Photo credit to Rahav Segev / Rolling Stone