binsy Posted September 12, 2013 Posted September 12, 2013 Just a few off the top of my head but so hard to narrow it down James Carr Wilson Pickett Otis Clay O.V. Wright .... not the greatest voice but his phrasing and delivery was superb Johnnie Taylor Spencer Wiggins Aretha Franklin Frankie Gearing Millie Jackson I'm with you all the way mate 2
Stubbsy Posted September 12, 2013 Posted September 12, 2013 Teddy Pendergrass David Ruffin Levi Stubbs Marvin Gaye Tammi Terrell Gladys Knight
Guest Paul Posted September 12, 2013 Posted September 12, 2013 (edited) Hello Kev mate I was in a hurry so I thought I'd just name the most obvious one for now You know me, if I make a list it will soon become quite long... Al Green, David Ruffin, Bobby Womack, Aretha, Gladys, Marvin Junior etc. Edited September 12, 2013 by Paul
Mike Lofthouse Posted September 12, 2013 Posted September 12, 2013 do you think an artist needs a substantial body of work to be considered a great vocalist? 3
Guest Paul Posted September 12, 2013 Posted September 12, 2013 do you think an artist needs a substantial body of work to be considered a great vocalist? Hello Mike That's a good question because I think most people think first about those with a body of work, that's why I mentioned Levi Stubbs, Al Green, Bobby Womack etc. and when I get time I'll add Johnny Adams, The O'Jays and James Carr to that list. But as much as I love Aretha and Gladys (not to forget Candi) I also have a thing about some artists who weren't very prolific: Annette Snell, Debbie Taylor, Norma Jenkins, Jean Stanback, etc. The same applies to some artists who weren't always very musically consistent because I've always have a thing for people such as Don Covay, Donnie Elbert, Roy C and even Bunny Sigler who could amaze me with one record and bore me with another. But my problem, you probably know, is that when I make a list I don't know when to stop. Hope to catch up with you soon.
Geeselad Posted September 12, 2013 Posted September 12, 2013 think I got go for oits too, female it'd have to be Linda jones. Christ almighty what at on about lad! sorry its Eddie Kendricks and Rochelle Flemming today.
lorchand Posted September 12, 2013 Posted September 12, 2013 (edited) No disrespect to any of my fellow artists, whose voices I love dearly, but: Male, Johnny Mathis, Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson and female, Etta James. Lorraine Edited September 12, 2013 by lorchand 2
thomas96 Posted September 13, 2013 Posted September 13, 2013 Male: Bobby Taylor Female: Tammi Terrell, Kim Weston.
Guest Posted September 13, 2013 Posted September 13, 2013 (edited) male marvin gaye terry callier female brenda holloway gladys knight Edited September 13, 2013 by appy2be
Guest scottie Posted September 13, 2013 Posted September 13, 2013 for the men it`s the two jackies for me Jackie Wilson&Jackie Lee and for the ladies in a photo finish,can`t be separated Patti Austin&Gladys Knight
Back Street Blue Posted September 13, 2013 Posted September 13, 2013 do you think an artist needs a substantial body of work to be considered a great vocalist? yeah.....that's how I read the question raised in this thread....."greatest" meaning biggest and best in my personal view, too many great vocals on individual tracks so too difficult to narrow it down otherwise.
Kev Cane Posted September 13, 2013 Posted September 13, 2013 do you think an artist needs a substantial body of work to be considered a great vocalist? Yes defo Mike, singers like Albert Jones and Mike James Kirkland and Jo Armstead just failed to make "the cut" for me on that concept in comparison to the one,s mentioned Kev
Guest MissHongkongfuey Posted September 13, 2013 Posted September 13, 2013 The Boys..... Ray Charles, Johnnie Taylor, Little Willie John, Paul Williams and a shout for Merle Spears. The Girls.... Margie Hendrix, Ruth Brown, Etta James, Johnnie Mae Matthews and Della Reese.
Guest in town Mikey Posted September 13, 2013 Posted September 13, 2013 Marvin Gaye Sam Cooke (not soul but - Nat King Cole) How about Soul Source's Lorraine Chandler Martha Reeves.
Bazza Posted September 13, 2013 Posted September 13, 2013 Got to be Levi Stubbs for me , for the pure emotion he could put into a song Bazza 1
NEV Posted September 13, 2013 Posted September 13, 2013 (edited) Brenda holloway Gladys knight Levi Stubbs Smokey Robinson Spencer wiggins Edited September 13, 2013 by NEV
Garethx Posted September 13, 2013 Posted September 13, 2013 Jo Armstead is seriously underrated. So is Joe Tex. 1
Tiberius Posted September 13, 2013 Posted September 13, 2013 No surprises from me, Jackie Wilson & Aretha would get my votes. Really rate Willie Roundtree but, sadly like so many others, there's little material out there.
Peter99 Posted September 13, 2013 Posted September 13, 2013 Too many for me really - but Edwin Starr deserves a shout so he gets one from me. Edwin Starr Peter 1
Mike Lofthouse Posted September 13, 2013 Posted September 13, 2013 Too many for me really - but Edwin Starr deserves a shout so he gets one from me. Edwin Starr Peter Glad you mentioned Edwin. Way back when Greg Tormo had his own chat group, the magazine Mojo posted up their 100 top vocalists - black artists featured heavily with the usual suspects featured highly Marvin, Aretha etc I ran our own poll and we all voted for our top 10 (maybe 20) - I then compiled quite a long list. Edwin featured very high indeed. But the artist that was highest in our poll (not top) that did not feature in the Mojo 100 was Chuck Jackson. If anyone is interested I'll dig it out and post it up. Mike 3
Guest Brian Fradgley Posted September 13, 2013 Posted September 13, 2013 Male : Bobby Womack Sam Dees George Jackson Walter Jackson Female : Jo Armstead. Doris Duke Aretha Franklyn Gladys Knight
Guest Polyvelts Posted September 13, 2013 Posted September 13, 2013 Almost impossible to do this !! Teddy Pendergrass Jerry Butler Eddie Levert Aretha Franklin Tammi Terrell Millie Jackson
Guest Droylsdonian Posted September 13, 2013 Posted September 13, 2013 Stripping out what they were given to record & leaving sheer ability/soulfulness: Walter Jackson & Madeline Bell
Tiberius Posted September 13, 2013 Posted September 13, 2013 Looking back through the thread has Jimmy Radcliffe had a mention?
Guest Baby earl Posted September 13, 2013 Posted September 13, 2013 Male. Levi Stubbs Willie John Roy Hamilton Female. Big may belle Etta James Marie knight
Guest Institches Posted September 13, 2013 Posted September 13, 2013 Gladys Knight Dusty Springfield Judy Garland Donny Hathaway Jackie Wilson Frank Sinatra
soulski Posted September 13, 2013 Posted September 13, 2013 Lou Johnson Bobby Bland Marvin Gaye Aretha Linda Jones Tammi Terrell
Autumnstoned Posted September 13, 2013 Posted September 13, 2013 (edited) Most of the legends I would have chosen have been listed already Bobby Womack, Aretha et al. But what about Charles Bradley as a great male vocalist? His Victim of Love album shows what a great vocalist he is. Also Little Milton is overlooked. Edited September 13, 2013 by autumnstoned
Guest I KNOW NOTHING Posted September 15, 2013 Posted September 15, 2013 (edited) Levi Stubbs----Walter Jackson. Bobbie Smith----Almeta Lattimore. non soul.... Elvis Presley----Karen Carpenter. Edited September 15, 2013 by I KNOW NOTHING
richo991 Posted September 15, 2013 Posted September 15, 2013 Reaing through there are so many I agree with. Jackie Wilson Livi Stubbs J.J Barnes Diana Ross Gladys Knights Brenda Hollaway could go on & on
Garethx Posted September 15, 2013 Posted September 15, 2013 (edited) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg2ZuvOeEnI Edited September 15, 2013 by garethx 1
Garethx Posted September 15, 2013 Posted September 15, 2013 (edited) Edited September 15, 2013 by garethx 2
Twoshoes Posted September 15, 2013 Posted September 15, 2013 In no particular order Eddie Kendricks Roy Hamilton Philip Wynne Carolyn Crawford Irma Thomas Doris Duke
Twoshoes Posted September 15, 2013 Posted September 15, 2013 Just wondering if everyone who has replied to this thread replied again in a couple of weeks time without looking at their previous choices would come they up with the same ones, just a thought
Guest N5OUL Posted September 15, 2013 Posted September 15, 2013 Lead singer of The Tomangoes Roy Hamilton Luther Ingram Gloria Jones Sandy Wynns Barbara McNair
Guest manusf3a Posted September 15, 2013 Posted September 15, 2013 Just wondering if everyone who has replied to this thread replied again in a couple of weeks time without looking at their previous choices would come they up with the same ones, just a thought Yes Definately
Guest closed Posted September 15, 2013 Posted September 15, 2013 Ray Pollard by a country mile, no real stand-out on the females but Big Momma Thornton for Hound Dog is up there.
Biggordy Posted September 15, 2013 Posted September 15, 2013 Male: James Carr Oscar Toney Jr. Tommy Hunt Female: Doris Duke Etta James Big Maybelle 1
Guest Dave Turner Posted September 15, 2013 Posted September 15, 2013 Lead singer of The Tomangoes Roy Hamilton Luther Ingram Gloria Jones Sandy Wynns Barbara McNair Dusty Williams aka Claude Williams as on writer credits
Ceejay Posted September 15, 2013 Posted September 15, 2013 BIG MAMA THORNTON ARETHA FRANKLIN OTIS REDDING SMOKEY ROBINSON
Geeselad Posted September 15, 2013 Posted September 15, 2013 todays pick, my third stab at this, robert owens martha wash.
Soulsaddler Posted September 16, 2013 Posted September 16, 2013 Wouldn't disagree with most of the above. Not sure if these have been mentioned: Darrell Banks Norman General Johnson Kim Weston
Kev Cane Posted September 16, 2013 Posted September 16, 2013 Wouldn't disagree with most of the above. Not sure if these have been mentioned: Darrell Banks Norman General Johnson Kim Weston "The General" great choice, should of had him in mine Kev 1
binsy Posted September 16, 2013 Posted September 16, 2013 Reminds me of the superb George Jackson compilation that you were involved in Gareth.
Mike Lofthouse Posted September 16, 2013 Posted September 16, 2013 Don't think anyone has nominated Loleatta Holloway.......
Daved Posted September 16, 2013 Posted September 16, 2013 It never ceases to amaze me how many people misspell very famous soul singer’s names. For the record, mine’s Otis Reading
Mike Lofthouse Posted September 16, 2013 Posted September 16, 2013 It never ceases to amaze me how many people misspell very famous soul singer’s names. For the record, mine’s Otis Reading you have me worried . that's how you spell 'Loleatta Holloway' isn't it?
Guest phillybuster Posted September 16, 2013 Posted September 16, 2013 (edited) You're right Mike. Edited September 16, 2013 by phillybuster
Winsford Soul Posted September 16, 2013 Posted September 16, 2013 The simplest premise, who are your top two (or three, we'll have no fighting here) male and female vocalists of all time? There is no such thing as a wrong answer!!! Male Chuck Jackson Frank Beverly Female Dee Dee Sharp Thelma Houston Go! Levi Stubbs Chuck Jackson Edwin Starr Dusty Springfield Brenda Holloway Lisa Stansfield. Steve
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