Soul Singers With Unusual Vocal Styles

[Sunnysoul]

The other thread prompted me to start this one.

How about soul singers with downright strange or unusual voices, or vocal styles ?

First that comes to mind is Roshell Anderson.

Judging from what was written in Blues n Soul about him at the time in the early 70's, he caused a bit of stir when he surfaced with his LP on Sunburst , Contempo in the UK .

[Sean Hampsey]

Love Roshell Anderson's voice.

His "Know What You're Doing When You Leave" and "The Grapevine Will Lie Sometimes" are stone classics!

I also used to play his Jerri outing "Let's Steal Away" as a new release. A great little mover from the Tyrone Davis school with a superb mid ballad flip in "Come On Back".

Though I remember the reaction when he 'burst' onto the scene, I'm sure he gained lots of fans in the Deep soul fraternity and I well recall Dave Godin comparing him to Toussaint McCall at the time.

Also worth picking up his "I'm Cracking Up" again on Sunburst.

Sean

[Diggin' Dave]

Perhaps not as strange as Roshell Anderson, but you can't deny Esther Phillips's remarkable singing style. Sometimes it sounds like her recording booth was filled with helium...still a great singer though!

[Guest vinylvixen]

Perhaps not as strange as Roshell Anderson, but you can't deny Esther Phillips's remarkable singing style. Sometimes it sounds like her recording booth was filled with helium...still a great singer though!

Cookie Jackson has the same 'helium' voice and the masterful tones of Billy Stewart....maybe more his unusual delivery rather than his voice.....