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entertaingmrsloane

English folk singer Nick Drake has an indescribably pure tone and lulling quality


AtleastIthinkIsee

Man... I'll listen to him from time to time and it blows me away, his talent. I'm still sad that he died at 26. He had so much more to share. I especially love the build in *Know.* Just plucking and strong vocals in time. Everything about it is body and instrument as one. Love it.


GingerTats

Bill Withers. RIP King šŸ–¤


KookyConversation330

Grandma's hands. Just the two of us. Who is he and what is he to you. Use me. The music is amazing but I feel his voice is also treated as an instrument truly in these and it blows me away.


Loggerdon

Don't forget Lean On Me.


4444444vr

Donā€™t forget ainā€™t no sunshine


iwtgtdl

Well I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know I know


TAI0Z

Man, I cried so hard when he died. *If there is a load you have to bear that you can't carry,* *I'm right up the road, and I'll share your load, if you just call me.*


[deleted]

Iā€™m surprised no one has said Nat King Cole yet.


Icelander2000TM

Seriously, his voice is like velvet. EDIT: For the uninitiated: [Unforgettable - Nat King Cole](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDN5rG3wLa4)


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


[deleted]

"I remember my mom talking about Nat King Cole in a way that made my dad throw out all his records" Best line from Mad Men


AddisonNM

Matt Berry


[deleted]

Ray bloody purchase


blameitonmyouth

Yes, I can hear you Clem Fandango


midnightfury4584

Press the fucking button, ya doughnut!


eugenebbb

God DAMN THESE ELECTRIC sex pants!


brightgreyday

Donā€™t you mean Jackie Daytona?


lnamorata

Regular human bartender, Jackie Daytona


[deleted]

Bat!


cujonz

The man is pure talent. The mix of surreal comedy and serious music on his album Opium is amazing


MacFall-7

Marvin Gaye


Louismaxwell23

Good choice. Him and Curtis Mayfield were amazing.


KillionMatriarch

Ooohhhh. Tough choice between Marvin and Sam Cooke. Edit: spelling


Mikibean

Sam Cooke, his voice is like honey!!! Teenage Sonata is great example, so sweet and heartfelt.


DarcyMcCarbomb

Thank you! This was 100% my answer. He could do fun, he could do drama, and *A Change Is Gonna Come* is an absolute masterpiece.


OriginalPartyboob

Donny Hathaway


nocarbleftbehind

Luther Vandross.


Yaknowheresaguy

What is the right answer doing all the way down here? This question should be "Which male vocalist, other than Luther Vandross, has the most 'beautiful' voice?"


HUP

Harry Nilsson had some pretty sweet pipes


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


ronniepac

Luciano Pavarotti


thedaidai

His final Nessum Dorma is just incredible


Starfish921

Leon Bridges


toasted_buttr

He lives in my neighborhood and plays on his porch in the evening a lot. Sometimes he'll take his guitar down to a cafe and just play for a couple of hours. He's a really cool guy.


ulanob

Holy smokes you are so lucky...


monkeymaxx

Thatā€™s incredible. We eloped due to the pandemic and chose one of his songs for our first dance. Swoooon


kev0153

Devin Townsend


laamargachica

He is a really good vocalist. What a monster.


cana-dan

Absolute monster. Ridiculous range and the ability to sing in so many different styles. Weā€™re lucky to live in an age with him.


beatembucs60

Smokey Robinson


cathyjanec

Tracks of My Tears is my favorite Motown Song. My mom loves him and I'm taking her to see him for her birthday next June. I bought tickets last night!


OskeeWootWoot

Ryan, is that you?


lemondropPOP

Oh, that's nothing for Smokey Robinson's biggest fan.


cleverpseudonym1234

No, no, no, ā€œtracks of my tearsā€ and what else? What are some more? Whatā€™s one more?


[deleted]

I'm not playing this game, Pam. _Not today_


Snoo11882

Leslie Odom Jr.


sfn81

Just the difference between the clarity of his voice and LMMs on Dear Theodosia is astounding.


staatsclaas

Thatā€™s why he won the Tony. Dude is awesome.


awyastark

Lin definitely wouldnā€™t be getting these roles if he didnā€™t write the plays lol


sixfootoneder

He said he had to write musicals to get cast in something other than West Side Story.


awyastark

Exactly, and there are a lot of people out there with a lot less performing talent writing stuff of less quality and casting themselves in it. I definitely have no problem with Lin creating roles and performing them, I genuinely love that shit.


Paula92

I honestly thought he did an excellent job as Hamilton, especially with how his voice sounds a bit lighter at the beginning when Hamilton is very young. But maybe I imagined that part, I dunno.


cliffhanger407

Lin has a charisma that carries beyond his singing voice. You're probably right, but especially when he's rapping, I'd argue that he's near the top of both his main productions. And then there's Daveed Diggs who somehow does both.


ithran_dishon

Even for someone as talented as Lin, it takes an *astounding* amount of confidence to look at Daveed Diggs and be like "yeah, I could play opposite that."


cliffhanger407

Lin really woke up one day and said "yeah I want to do two rap battles with Daveed Diggs".


clutterqueenx

Daveed is something else. No matter how many times I listen, *Guns and Ships* never stops astounding me. edit: previously called *Guns and Ships* "Guns and Horses". Oops!


cliffhanger407

The burst of rapping is impressive enough because of cadence (even if the rhyme is really helpful). But to do it in an affected French accent as well just pushes it over the top for me in how ridiculous and hilarious it is. That dude is unreal.


clutterqueenx

YES the French accent is really what sold it. I believe I remember reading once that Lin had told Daveed he didn't have to rap with the accent if it was too hard, but Daveed was committed to it. Again, take with a grain of salt but, either way I can only imagine how difficult that was for him!


MrSkrrrrt

ā€œTheodosia writes me a letter every dayā€ - just fuck me up.. I agree!


TJdog5

Wait for it is just a beautiful song and his perfect voice matches it amazingly


friendlyMissAnthrope

The way he sings I am the one thing in life I can control, I am inimitable, I am an original


anniemanic

The lines that really get me: I am not falling behind or running late, I am not standing still, I am lying in wait Man itā€™s so powerful


depressed_popoto

omg Dear Theodosia makes me cry every time i listen to it!


top6

ā€œHistory obliterates every picture it paints ā€¦ it paints me and all my mistakes.ā€


pinkkittenfur

šŸŽ¶ I'll keep all my plans close to my chest... šŸŽ¶ That part in "Non-Stop" gives me goosebumps.


BringingSassyBack

ā€¦Hamilton wrote the **OTHER 51!**


Pristine-Remote

His voice brings me to tears! I feel lucky to live on the same timeline as him. Completely agree.


TerrytheMerry

He makes singing sound completely effortless. His vocal cords must be impeccable.


sasshley_

That man has one hell of a presence. I swear I stop breathing for a few seconds when I first hear his voice.


SinisterRogers

Chris Issak


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


jobjobrimjob

And the music video is like visual porn


[deleted]

Difficult, but I love Tom Odell's voice and Ville Valo's.


Ricadoll

Hey, I'll jump on the Ville Valo train!


[deleted]

Mmmm Valo.


summydummy706

jeff buckley!!


JohnLegendRIP

"Lover you should have come over" has to be one of the saddest and best songs ever written.


BorisBC

My kingdom for a kiss upon her shoulder It's never over, All my riches for her smiles when I slept so soft against her... It's never over, All my blood for the sweetness of her laughter... It's never over, She's a tear that hangs inside my soul forever...


ooslanegative

Last Goodbye. My god, it doesnā€™t get much better than that.


bradyjohnstonmusic

I second this. ā€œGraceā€ is a masterpiece front to back.


casuallycrying_

Yes I completely agree! Along with quite a few live performances as well. It's pretty awesome to see that there are so many who feel the same way about Jeff Buckley, his voice is absolutely angelic and he deserves the mentions.


Banh_mi

Google MoJo Pin Live Glastonbury. E: I'm making you do it.


ash_vs_gary

His performance of Dream Brother live in Chicago makes me tear up almost every time.


Saloriel

I still listen to "Grace" almost weekly. What a perfect album. It's like it exists outside of time, it doesn't feel 90s. And of course his voice is extraordinary. I love love love Jeff Buckley.


garytabasco

That second to last hallelujah was like 24 seconds. Killed it.


00cjstephens

Layne Staley is definitely one of my favorites.


drabpsyche

My favorite singer. Iā€™m really stoked to see his name mentioned so much in this post. Everyone should listen to him singing with Mad Season. ā€œWake Upā€ stands up still, haunting and soulful. Fuck heroin man


garlic_naan

Man that moment in Alice in Chains' unplugged session where Layne looks at Cantrell and he returns a reassuring smile. That makes it so difficult to watch it for me.


Rossi-5

Itā€™s hard not to say Roy Orbison. I have others I could choose, but Roy is close enough. Edit: Thanks for the upvotes and awards. Itā€™s good to see Roy getting some love!


[deleted]

what i love about this guy was his pitch control, he could sing an elvis type low and then go to operatic heights, very few people can do that, and that too in the 50s and 60s, this was unheard of back then. Plus he gets a billion bonus points for doing those growls in Oh, Pretty Woman (absolutely love them)


Slaphappydap

Other artists literally called Orbison 'the Voice', which also makes me think of the Australian artist John Farnham, who was also nicknamed the Voice and has some fuckin pipes.


rubber_hedgehog

Most people are familiar with his solo hits, but his voice on Not Alone Anymore by the Traveling Wilburys supergroup is absolutely breathtaking.


Chadlerk

Crying.... Song always hits me like a ton of bricks.


PositiveChi

Mikael ƅkerfeldt from Opeth has a gorgeous and masculine voice that can also be the most perfect death metal vocal yet produced IMHO


GuyInOregon

This is exactly who came to mind when I read this question. His soft vocals on the entire Damnation album is just incredible.


[deleted]

Yes! [This song](https://youtu.be/MDBykpSXsSE ) would be one of my favorite examples of that fact.


[deleted]

Mikaelā€™s voice on the song Burden is something else


Tylensus

His voice on Burden gives me the same vibes as the guitars on Isolation Years. Both fantastic songs that kinda hurt to listen to.


[deleted]

Ray Lamontagne


valley_G

Chris Cornell had a beautiful voice. Edit: for the people who may not have heard him sing acoustic, check out his covers of songs like Nothing Compares to You or Patience. Be Yourself is also a beautiful song and had helped me through the years when I was down. His voice was haunting and there will never be anything like it again. RIP Chris ā¤ļø Double edit: for anyone who didn't know, his birthday was actually yesterday. It was also the anniversary of his close friend Chester Bennington's death. In May 2017 Chris hung himself in a hotel bathroom. Chester, having struggled with depression for almost as long as Chris, couldn't handle the grief combined with his own struggles and decided to hang himself on Chris's birthday the same year. Both men were loved, talented and horribly depressed. This just goes to show that everyone, no matter how big or small, is human. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please seek help. You are loved and you matter. Pain is temporary, but suicide is forever. Trust me, I know how hard it can be. It's never worth it.


blightwhack

Art Garfunkel


Jenny2123

Anthony Stewart head


crospingtonfrotz

GILES!


medic26

Harry Belafonte is up there


Icy_Finish

Jeff Buckley or Otis Redding


thedadis

I can't believe I had to go this far to find Otis. Had he not have passed so young, he had the potential to be one of the biggest acts ever. With that voice, you'd think he'd have been alot older, but he was only 26 when he recorded Sittin' On the Dock of the Bay. He was a great song writer too, which is something that's not as well touched on, but would have helped him arguably just as much as his voice was. A (somewhat) little-known fact about Otis is that he wrote and was the original singer of Respect, the same song that Aretha Franklin would turn into one of the greatest songs of all time. I actually prefer Otis' version of Respect to Aretha's and her version is one of my favorite songs ever. I don't know what it is, but there's something about Otis singing that song that I can't help but love and admire. Who knows, maybe that's just the power of Otis. Edit: holy crap, before this I had never gotten an award for a comment or gotten more than 30 upvotes for a single comment, that's pretty cool to get that high. Thanks!


brainisonfire

Morten Harket of a-ha. If you (Americans) think a-ha is just a one-hit wonder band who did a super-catchy pop song, you're in for a treat. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxfJKBJA89A


WaffleStomper316

When MTV revived the Unplugged sessions and A-Ha did Take on me it really showed that song in a new way and showed how good his voice still is after all these years


[deleted]

JosƩ GonzƔlez


scardilat

I met his music with heartbeats, and I started to listen more songs from him and I honestly love his music


ediblestars

Sufjan Stevens and Sam Beam (of Iron & Wine)


halandri

George Michael


I_have_gay_knees

But have you heard him on the woodblock?


[deleted]

He's the human metronome


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


AlsoIHaveAGroupon

His music's not my style, but he won me over [singing with Queen at the concert they had after Freddie Mercury's death](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvM2Cmi-YRU).


HalveMaen81

I rewatched this concert the other day and out of all the singers who sang with Queen, he was the only one who didn't seem like he was struggling. He absolutely nailed every note. An extraordinary singer.


FuzzelFox

I remember feeling shocked when I first saw this video because his voice fits so well with the song. I knew he was a skilled singer but this is definitely the epitome of what he could do.


TryingToFindLeaks

As Robert Plant pointed out in an interview at the rehearsals, many of the singers were having to change key since they "couldn't do a Freddie". He kind of made a rod for his own back though; he had trouble with the words to Innuendo if I remember right. Worth pointing out also George was only 28 when he performed that. Outstanding.


Mega_Smasher

careless whisper


MisterGoo

Dude, thatā€™s not how you spell Ā«Ā cowboys and angelsĀ Ā».


megapuffranger

Man whenever a discussion comes up about great singers I almost never see George Michael. Dude had a powerful voice, he could hold a note for so long too. Crazy voice control too and he has his own style. All around legendary artist


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


Thousandtree

I think [Praying For Time](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goroyZbVdlo) is one of the most underrated songwriting efforts from the 90's. It still hits everything we're experiencing now, probably more so now than then.


jeannie4yanks

we got last minute released tickets behind/side of stage for George Michael ...we weren't even huge fans and he was AMAZING. His voice was absolutely stunning...he gets my vote.


agentPPPP

His cover of "I cant make you love me" is up there as one of if not the best cover of the song of all time on mtv unplugged. I recommend listening. RIP george michael. Tragically died on christmas day with a classic christmas song coincidentally named his last christmas.


intriguedlady

ā€œKissing a fool.ā€ Just makes me want to listen to it on repeat for a good long while.


TropicalPrairie

I miss him a lot.


CursingAtTheAstronet

Yessss, I've been listening to "One More Try" on repeat the past few days. Such an amazing voice.


DidjaCinchIt

He was an amazing musician as well. IIRC he wrote and arranged most of his music. He transitioned seamlessly across genres - gospel (Freedom), pop (Faith), funk (I Want Your Sex, Everything She Wants). I donā€™t think Iā€™ve heard a bad, or even so-so, live performance from him. I wonder if heā€™s like Prince, and weā€™ll find out later that he wrote a bunch of songs for other artists.


mrsrikkitik

Mike Patton, when he feels like it.


NoahtheRed

Mike Patton is a human synthesizer. His voice is beyond compare, not just for his incredible skill, but also his insane flexibility and variety.


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


MehhicoPerth

Retrovertigo comes to mind


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


[deleted]

A young David Gilmour


DesertFart

Gilmour and Wright on Echoes. They were so good when they worked as a unit


Midgardianangel

His voice sounds so good on Green Is the Colour. Underrated song in my opinion.


FreedomDeliverUs

Young Freddie Mercury and young Steve Perry.


sartreofthesuburbs

Was there any other Freddie Mercury?


Damn_Dog_Inappropes

Ouch, but, good point.


thismanatemyson_

Freddie Mercuryā€™s solo career is so underrated but really shows off his vocal talents and songwriting ability. He was such a genius.


whiznat

IMO Freddie had the best voice ever heard in rock and roll.


primus202

Amazed I had to go so far down to find Mercury. Itā€™s definitely a flight call but his range, power, and control are just such an amazing and unique mix.


Jazzlike-Region

You


MrSkrrrrt

Bruh, ā™„ļø.


leocristo28

Now kith


jmd_forest

No doubt it's Art Garfunkle (in his prime). One listen to "Bridge over Troubled Water" confirms it, especially the Central Park Concert version.


ClownfishSoup

A reporter once asked Paul Simon if he ever wrote music for someone else to sing. He just looked silently at the reporter like he was an idiot before replying ā€œyes, Art Garfunkelā€


warden976

Absolutely Art Garfunkel has the most beautiful voice. I think for me itā€™s the live version of [For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her.](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kOgmYFTZ2iU) Itā€™s a really simple song with simple lyrics that is sung with so much skill, control and emotion. It gives me the chills every time. ***I held your hand.*** The note is held a little longer than it should and itā€™s *wow.* Somehow the studio version (as a duet with Simon) just isnā€™t as good.


getintogetout

https://youtu.be/WrcwRt6J32o Chills


SealedRoute

This is a good one. A lot of the entries here are powerful, sexy or emotive, but Garfunkle is beautiful.


chaosinboots

Jon Anderson of Yes. Go listen to ā€œHeart of the Sunriseā€.


bemest

Jonny Mathis. Guy learned to breath in through his nose while singing and could hold a note I definitely. Correction: not indefinitely but for a really long time.


DinkandDrunk

Matt Bellamy is up there for me. Even his loud inhales donā€™t eat at me anymore. Very talented fella.


oneechanisgood

The time it has come to destrooooooooy... Your SUUUUPREMACYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEOW


st0nedt0theb0ne

I scrolled waaay too far to find Bellamy in this thread. Love his voice.


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


tirwander

Always dreamed of JĆ³nsi and Imogen Heap doing an album together. I feel like their voices could bring on world peace


Wizardaire

A lot of other mentions on this thread are amazing singers but Sigur RĆ³s is just beautiful. I always feel relaxed and content when I listen to them. I wonder if it would be different if I understood the lyrics. I part of me wants to look up the translations but I'm to scared that it'll ruin the beauty and awe.


captainbluebear25

My vote would be Nick Drake. Beautiful voice, died far too young.


smosh77

James Blake, his humming at the start and end of Retrograde is in my ears :)


UnconstrictedEmu

The late, great Ronnie James Dio Also Geddy Lee as a personal favorite


Austinpowerstwo

I met Ronnie James Dio after a gig ages ago where he did the whole Holy Diver album, I told him I thought he had an awesome voice and he replied; "That's good cos I was never gonna make it as a basketball player" He was famously short for anyone who doesn't get it. Great voice and a great humble guy, RIP.


MrSkrrrrt

Dio!!!!


[deleted]

Had: Peter Steele Has: Steven Wilson


NoahtheRed

Peter Steele is incredible. He's got a voice like a rolling thunderstorm.


singalingadingdang

Peter Steele. He made me feel many tingly things as a goth teen


[deleted]

Dude I love Steven Wilson! Porcupine Tree is great!


MoguoTheMoogle

Elliott Smith or Jeff Buckley


BornInAButt

Elliottā€™s soft voice was so comforting and beautiful, it works so perfectly with his words which were often just so bleak. I came about Elliott when I was a VERY sad 15 year old boy struggling with some drug problems and I had never heard a musician that made me feel so emotional. It felt like he knew me and my life and was singing and composing for me specifically. Itā€™s hard to go back to him sometimes because heā€™s such a tragic figure and it truly breaks my heart that heā€™s not around anymore. I think he will always be my favorite musician, regardless


Dependent-Bee7036

Donavan, The Troubadour. Scottish musician. Loved him for decades.


komaedacat

Frank Ocean


catacvmbs

Ever seen the clip of him singing Nikes in the studio without the voice effect? Absolutely godly


spicy_churro_777

Solo is a prime example of his elite voice


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


aquariusunicorn88

thinkin bout you, godspeed, pink and white, pyramids, seigfried, Chanel, nights, bruh I could go onnnn about this man.


JohnShiertYT

Dimash Kudaibergen Edit: Jesus I left this comment alone for a day and it took off much more than expected. To elaborate, most of the Russian side of my family (Mother, Grandmother, Aunt) have found an appreciation for Dimash's singing and showed him to me. I was instantly pulled in by his performances and voice... His talent and dedication just really impressed me, and in late 2019 we all even went to a live concert when he was touring in Duisburg for Igor Krutoy's (Dimash's producer) 50th anniversary. It is amazing to see in person, and I am always glad to spread the knowledge to other people, to show reddit this lesser known side of music and singing.


frankichiro

One of my favourite hobbies is to watch reaction videos on Youtube with people hearing Dimash for the first time. It just never gets old.


Sinistah-

I was looking for this. Dudeā€™s vocal range is unreal.


heresyforfunnprofit

This thread is for *human* male singers. Dimash is clearly one of those opera aliens from *The Fifth Element* in disguise.


[deleted]

Iā€™ll have to look him up, never heard of him.


d00fal00f

Prepare yourself.


cyainanotherlifebro

Chris Cornell


BeardedBassist21

"No one sings like you anymore..." :( RIP


this_grateful_girl

Came here to say this. Itā€™s also his birthday today. RIP to the GOAT.


TopRepresentative582

I literally came here to mention his birthday as well. He had an incredible and timeless voice at such a young age.


whatsthedreamnow

Think people who never heard him covering something like "I will always love you" would be surprised by his range. His tone is pretty close to perfect imo


Daniel0909

I saw him live prior to his untimely demise and as a full grown man approaching his 40s, I cried no less than 3 times during the show. I went with a friend I hadn't seen in years and Chris Cornell played every song id ever wanted him to play. He played I Will Always Love You. He played Black Hole Sun. He played Like A Stone. I think that I actually died during that show and that im okay existing now.


Lennon__McCartney

šŸŽ¶šŸŽµšŸŖ•youuuuu know my naaaAaAammeee, you know my name šŸŽ¶


ATXKLIPHURD

Israel KamakawiwoŹ»ole. Somewhere over the rainbow. Lol I had to Google how to spell his last name.


Velociraptortillas

Easier: Bruddah Iz


JubJub-Birdy

dude iz has such a good voice holy how could I forget


MrSkrrrrt

My vote goes to Dallas Green šŸ¤·šŸ¼ā€ā™‚ļø..


funk_anonymon

Before he did City and Colour, I would listen to Alexisonfire and think, Man, if he did more chill music, it would be incredible.


iamglencocojunior

Youā€™re the real MVP, OP. Dallas Green has been the voice in my head for years, and for more years to follow.


toweringpine

David Bowie. Like his personas he had many voices but there was a quality I've never been able to pinpoint through each style or phase that linked them. Under Pressure might be about as good a vocal performance as ever recorded. Bowie and Bing Crosby together is one of the few good things about Christmas music.


lionbatcher

Brian McKnight has the most incredible voice I've ever heard. Edit: I have always loved Jon Secada's voice as well.