Voice As Instrument

[bac0n]

I'm different from most music connoisseurs in that the things that draw my interest toward songs are the tonal and audio qualities of the songs themselves. It's interesting sounds that get me into songs more than moving lyrics or a particular vibe or whatnot.

Even in the voices themselves, I appreciate well-used vocal chords much more than I appreciate lyrical prowess. That's just the way I'm wired, I guess, but it probably has to do with the fact that I've been playing some sorta instrument or another since I was in 3rd grade.

So, it's with this in mind that I make a list of my favorite vocalists. These are the people who could light up a room with a microphone and a glass of water. These are the people who wield their throats with the intensity, virtuosity and art of a Miles Davis, Jimmy Hendrix, Itzhak Perlman, or... well, name your favorite instrument and then name the person you feel plays it the best... My instrument is the vocal chords, and the following are the people whom I feel are the true masters.

[bac0n]

George Jones
Such Beautiful Heartbreak
http://www.biography.com/biography/images/episode_images/George_Jones_320X240.jpg

I was a non-believer for way too many years, seeing George Jones as personifying all that I thought I hated about Country Music - boring trite shit that my grandparents in bum fucking egypt used to listen to. Well, that all changed when I heard this voice, this painful voice laying the pain in his heart bare and raw and shooting it up to the heavens like a mortar. That song was "She Thinks I Still Care" and the voice was that of George "Possum" Jones. No one can lay his pain out to dry for the world to see quite as beautifully as the Ol' Possum.

George has since kicked the bottle, settled down, and has gotten old, and while the power of his voice has wained, it has been replaced by the wisdom and confidence of hard lessons well learned. George Jones continues to be, in my opinion, the greatest American singer alive.

Songs you oughta listen to:


She Thinks I Still Care
Tender Years
White Lightnin'

[bac0n]

Chet Baker
Hard life, Soft Voice
http://www.thereeler.com/images/letsgetlost_365.jpg

Was Chet Baker a trumpeter who sings, or a singer who plays trumpet? Depends on who you ask, I guess, but both his singing and his bugling were velvety smooth, which is sad really, when you compare it to a life spent in the throes of heroin addiction.

Chet had a voice as comfortable as a warm sweater, as relaxing as sipping cognac in front of the fireplace, as sweet as an unexpected box of chocolates. Oh, to have been in San Francisco in the 50s when he was playing with ultra-smooth saxophone junkie Stan Getz. That woulda been somethin'.

Songs you oughta listen to:


My Funny Valentine
I've Never Been In Love Before

[bac0n]

Celine Dion
Oh, what could have been
http://cache.eb.com/eb/image?id=61103&rendTypeId=4

Sure, she's sort of a cooky-spook, sure, virtually all of her songs are tripe, but I think we all can agree on, boy, this lady has one set of pipes.

The way I see it is this. Celine Dion is like a person who owns a jeep that never leaves pavement, a person who owns the original Superman comic but has never taken it out of its wrapper to actually read the thing. She's wasted that great gift of hers on shit like "I'm Your Lady And You Are My Man" or whatever the fuck the song is called, and that gawdawful My Heart Will Go On song. Jesus, lady, get some new song writers and show us what you got!

Songs you oughta listen to:


I dunno, I haven't heard anything that I like. Just whatever you do, stay the hell away from her Christmas albums. It'll make an atheist outa anybody.

[rocus]

You had me until Celine. But your first two are so awesome that I'll forgive you.

As far as Jones goes, you have to list He Stopped Loving Her Today. Absolutely one of my favorite songs.

[D_Davis]

Cool thread. I am hoping that Lisa Gerard and Elizabeth Frazier make the list...

[dreamdead]

Cool thread. I am hoping that Lisa Gerard... make the list...

YES. YES. YES.

Hmm, I fear how that might be interpreted.

[Horbgorbler]

Meredith Monk was the first thing that came to mind upon reading the thread title.

[D_Davis]

YES. YES. YES.

Hmm, I fear how that might be interpreted.

Hey, with her voice the feeling is understandable.

[Ezee E]

Celine Dion making the list makes me think of American Psycho. I sure hope Whitney Houston makes it.

[jesse]

I'm more drawn to voices than anything else as well (well, besides for a string instrument), so I'll be following this with interest.


Celine Dion I don't know if you listen to foreign language music, but I recently came across another French Canadian chanteuse named Chantal Pary whose reminds me a lot of Celine as far as sheer vocal power goes, but seems to be slightly more nuanced in her presentation (which is my main complaint towards Dion--she's sings emotionlessly). FWIW.

[Russ]

Meredith Monk was the first thing that came to mind upon reading the thread title.
First thing that came to my mind were Tuvan throat singers, who I assume, won't be making an appearance.

Good topic.

[MadMan]

You had me until Celine. But your first two are so awesome that I'll forgive you.

As far as Jones goes, you have to list He Stopped Loving Her Today. Absolutely one of my favorite songs.Hell yeah that song is amazing. George Jones is the shit.

Celine Deon needs to go away. Forever.

I haven't heard anything from Chet Baker, so I should check him out. No matter what anyone says Bob Dylan should be featured on this list. His whispy voice is just as awesome as his lyrics and guitar playing. In fact I'd say he's a better song writer and singer than a guitar player. If Johnny Cash fails to be mentioned I may break something.

[bac0n]

Cool thread. I am hoping that Lisa Gerard and Elizabeth Frazier make the list...

Actually, neither of those two had occurred to me, and I love Elizabeth Frazier. Would you like to do the honors?

[bac0n]

Annie Lennox
Sister doing it for herself
http://www.mtv.com/shared/media/images/artist/l/lennox_annie/az_official/281x211.jpg

A know a lot of people can be hypnotized by a stopwatch swinging back and forth. For me, all it takes is watching (and listening to) Annie Lennox sing. There's both a visual as well as an audio component to the beauty of her voice. She exudes such confidence and grace in her voice that it's well, it's pretty damned sexy. Her voice is kinda like gazing into the grand canyon. It's humbling in a way.

Songs you oughta listen to:

There Must Be An Angel Playing With My Heart
Have I Lied To You
Journey's End (on the LotR soundtrack)

[bac0n]

Bryan Ferry
More than just about anything
http://www.la91fmchile.cl/artistas/fotos/bryan_ferry/bryan_ferry_3.jpg

I'm convinced that if I ever hear the angel Gabriel sing, his voice will sound exactly like that of Bryan Ferry. I don't think I really need to say any more than this.

Songs you oughta listen to:


More than This (with Roxy Music)
Don't Stop The Dance

[bac0n]

Midge Ure
UltraVox, indeed
http://www.carnglaze.com/images/midge1.jpg

Listening to Midge Ure take the mic is kinda like seeing Reggie Jackson step up to the plate. You know that at any moment, he can fire up the after burners and slug it right out of the park. And when he does, holy shit, hold on to your hats cuz the power of that voice of his is gonna hit you right in the sternum and throw you back into your seat. It's amazing that a five foot tall man packs such a punch.

Songs you oughta listen to:


Vienna (with UltraVox)
If I Was

[MadMan]

Journey's End (on the LotR soundtrack) almost brought me to tears when I heard it in the theater. It perfectly captured the sad feeling that I had when the credits for the third movie rolled. That it was all over. Just damn beautiful. And Sweet Dreams Are Made Of These is a pretty cool 80s track to boot.

[Philosophe_rouge]

Your title didn't actually make me think of vocalists, well it did... but not in the way you are implying. Rather a style some use, which is sometimes off putting as they appear to be singing off key or off note, but are literally using their voice as an instrument, to supliment the song. Joni Mitchell did this lots. I hope that makes sense?

I reluctantly have to agree that Celine can sing, but while most people have it bad, I live in Celine country... so much of her... everywhere, in everything! She was even on the Quebec Deal or No Deal!

[Boner M]

Damo Suzuki

http://www.bbc.co.uk/oxford/content/images/2006/01/27/damo_suzuki_4_420x284.jpg

Always a pleasure to see live, now that he resides in Melbourne. Wish he'd find a decent band to back him for once.

[megladon8]

bac0n, I dunno if you read many of my posts in the music thread on the old forum, but I am exactly like you with music.

Not only do I rarely understand song lyrics, but I almost never listen to what the person is saying. I am just listening to the voice as another instrument in the song.

I think that's probably why I like so much music with totally nonsensical lyrics...

[Acapelli]

Damo Suzuki

http://www.bbc.co.uk/oxford/content/images/2006/01/27/damo_suzuki_4_420x284.jpg

Always a pleasure to see live, now that he resides in Melbourne. Wish he'd find a decent band to back him for once.
Saw him a few weeks back with a few members of the Akron/Family and Oneida. Pretty great show, even if it did go on for a bit too long.

[bac0n]

I'm not familiar with Damo Suzuki. What's his story?

[D_Davis]

Midge Ure
UltraVox, indeed
http://www.carnglaze.com/images/midge1.jpg



Inspired choice! Nice.

[D_Davis]

How about Jón “Jónsi” Þór Birgisson?

Talk about a voice being used as an instrument.

[DSNT]

I'm not familiar with Damo Suzuki. What's his story?
Best known for singing with Can for a few years.

[bac0n]

Rakim
Follow The Leader
http://z.about.com/d/rap/1/5/d/B/-/-/RakimAllah.jpg

Back in the early 90s when I was an avid fan of this burgeoning thing called hip hop, Erik B & Rakim became rapid favorites. It was Erik B's thick beats and clever sampling that drew me in, but it was Rakim's smooth baritone delivery that kept me. Rakim has a voice that many have tried to imitate but to date I have yet to hear anyone successfully emulate - that understated confidence that says, "yeah, I'm the best, end of story, get over it". Hell, Rakim could say the word tomato and make it sound badass.

Songs You Oughta Listen To:

Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em
Don't Sweat the Technique
Tomato... Tomato... Tomato... Tomato... Tomato...

[bac0n]

Leslie Feist
Everything is Under Control
http://nymag.com/images/2/daily/entertainment/07/06/13_feist_lg.jpg

While Ms Feist might not have the firepower that some of the other folks on this list are blessed with, what she does do exceedingly well is working with what she has, something that made itself abundantly clear when I saw her live the last time she was in town. While others such as Midge Ure, Annie Lennox & George Jones really shine when they get their full diaphragm into it, it's Feist's restraint that sets her apart.

Take a closer look at how she sings, and you will see a person who can mold the sound coming out of her mouth to just about any shape she wants, be it a silent shout, a loud whisper, or anything in between.

Songs You Oughta Listen To:

Mushaboom
Inside and Out

[bac0n]

Jimmy Rushing
If These Are The Blues, Then I Don't Wanna Be Happy
http://umkc.edu/orgs/kcjazz/images/people/rushj_01.jpg

When it comes to belting out a blues tune, Ol' Mr. Five-By-Five stands alone. Or more accurately, he sits. On a really big chair. The thing is, tho, Jimmy has this friendly voice that sounds kinda like your grampa, so when he laments about his girl leaving him for someone new, he makes it out to sound like the world is laughing at him, and he's laughing too.

And then there's his chops when he sings some of that big-band jazz. He can get a room swinging with that depth charge of a voice of his. Big fun.

Songs You Oughta Listen To:


I'm Coming Virginia
It's A Sin To Tell A Lie
'Deed I Do
Did You Ever

[bac0n]

Bobby Darin
Handsome!
http://media.lvrj.com/images/1794411.jpg

If ever a voice captured the essence of suave, debonair, charm and outright handsome, it was the crooning of Bobby Darin. His voice had the ambiance of a smoky lounge with low lights and fancy cocktails, or maybe a night on a bearskin rug in front of the fireplace with your lover and a favorite glass of wine.

Bobby Darin will always hold a special place in my heart, because his song More was the first dance at my wedding.

Songs you oughta listen to:

More
Beyond The Sea
Mack The Knife (of course)

[bac0n]

Frank Sinatra
Fuck Yeah
http://www.capesius.com/images/sinatra.jpg

I mean, seriously. No discussion on the merits of vocal prowess has any legitimacy whatsoever without The Ultimate Master Himself, The Chairman of the Board, Frank F'n Sinatra. I mean, just look at the guy. I wish I had the balls to croon in a nice suit and a fedora.

Songs You Oughta Listen To:

Any you can find.

[Thirdy]

Tom Waits, anyone?

[MadMan]

Frank Sinatra
Fuck Yeah
http://www.capesius.com/images/sinatra.jpg

I mean, seriously. No discussion on the merits of vocal prowess has any legitimacy whatsoever without The Ultimate Master Himself, The Chairman of the Board, Frank F'n Sinatra. I mean, just look at the guy. I wish I had the balls to croon in a nice suit and a fedora.

Songs You Oughta Listen To:

Any you can find.
Damn straight. I need to get into more of Old Blues Eyes music, especially since "I Did It My Way" and "Fly Me To the Moon" are awesome.

And "Beyond the Sea" is fantastic and gloriously joyful. I don't mind its overuse in the slightest.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Bob Dylan and Regina Spektor need to make this list.

[bac0n]

Ya know, I've never been that enamored of Dylan's voice in and of itself, nor of the way in which he wields it, tho come to think of it, he went through that Lay Lady Lay phase where he was actually sounding not half bad.

[bac0n]

Iarla Ó Lionáird
Crown Jewel of the Emerald Isle
http://www.capesius.com/images/iarla.jpg

Okay, now for an obscure one. Iarla is one of the most prominent singers in the Irish Sean nós (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_nos) tradition, an old gaelic vocal style which relies heavily on the vocal prowess of its singers, for, sean nós singers typically do so without accompaniment. And the minute you hear his voice, you realize that, yes, his voice would be great by itself. Hell, I would even venture to say that having him singing in a band with guitars and drums and whatnot is kinda like putting A1 on a steak. Nonetheless, his band, The Afrocelts, seem to make it work somehow, but they are always sounding their best with Iarla's beautiful vocals front and center.

Songs You Oughta Listen To:

Eireann (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrJW33JkVlM&feature=related) (with The Afrocelts)
Lagan (with The Afrocelts)

[Kurosawa Fan]

Ya know, I've never been that enamored of Dylan's voice in and of itself, nor of the way in which he wields it, tho come to think of it, he went through that Lay Lady Lay phase where he was actually sounding not half bad.

His voice is an acquired taste, but the way he changes it to fit the genre of music he's creating seems to fit the description of "voice as an instrument". Also, if you're not familiar Regina Spektor, certainly seek her out. She can use her voice as powerfully as anyone I've heard, sending chills down my spine, and then literally use it as an instrument, making drum and beat sounds, in the next instant. She's amazing.

[jenniferofthejungle]

Good God, the awesome is strong in here, bac0n. :D

[bac0n]

I found an awesome clip of Jimmy Rushing performing with a full jazz orchestra, including the incomparable Count Basie.

Check it out (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2s4a8ma3tA) and behold the awesomeness of Jimmy Rushing.

[bac0n]

Allison Krauss
Angel of BlueGrass

http://www.stagefronttickets.com/Concerts/AlisonKrauss.jpg

Allison Krauss is a ludicrously beautiful woman with a voice to match. With a voice as soft and delicate as a rose petal and as innocent as a newborn, one can't help but wonder if there's a halo hidden under her hair and white wings tucked behind her back.

Like most bluegrass & country crooners, she's at her best when her heart's aching, though at times the soft pain in her voice is hard to take, leaving you wondering just how something so awful could happen to such a nice girl as Allison Krauss. But, still, to our benefit, the sad songs keep coming because, well in Allison's own words, if the songs "...make you feel like crap, you oughta do 'em."

Word.

Allison Krauss's latest is a collaboration with Robert Plant. I've only heard a few songs off of it, but what I've heard so far I've liked. A lot.

Songs You Oughta Listen To:


Molly Ban (with The Chieftains) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmq5TzyQEGM)
Down to the River To Pray (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa8mSJ9worU&feature=related)

[bac0n]

Elizabeth Fraser
A voice as mesmerizing as her eyes
http://www.nndb.com/people/813/000050663/fraser01.jpg

Most of the time when Fraser's singing, I can't make out what the hell she's saying, and on those rare occasions when I can, I can't ever ever make sense of the nonsensical words coming out of her mouth. But that's not the point, for Fraser's vocals are just another layer in the swirling, heavily layered ethereal soundscape of the Cocteau Twins, and you don't need to understand what's coming out of Fraser's mouth to enjoy the beauty of it.

Songs You Oughta Listen To:


Carolyn's Fingers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh83z5vIP0w)
Heaven or Las Vegas (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtBr5JKSuks&NR=1)

[Horbgorbler]

Major props for Liz.

That Krause/Chieftains collab used to make me weep like a baby. I'm pretty much desensitized to murder ballads, though, now.

[MadMan]

Allison Krauss is the shit. I really liked her work on the O Brother Where Art Thou? soundtrack.

Bob Dylan's voice is actually the second best thing that he does. I'd say his song writing ranks first of course, and I'd actually place his guitar work behind his vocals and song writing. Now before you tear me to pieces KF I still think he's a damn good guitarist. I just think that he could have benefited from having someone else do the guitar work instead, sort of like Bob Segar or in a way Bruce Springsteen (both let their back up bands do most, if not all of the, instrument work). I cite as an example Bob Dylan's version of Along the Watchtower, which is great except for the guitar work. I think Jimi Hendrix's version blows it out of the water because of the amazing guitar work. But I'll admit I haven't heard enough Dylan (only three albums thus far) to truly judge.

On a final note, Love and Theft was good but not half as good as Modern Times. Both pail in comparison to Blood On The Tracks (these are the only albums I've heard from Dylan so far). I was kind of disappointed about "Theft" since I've heard so many good things about it and I loved the other two discs.

[bac0n]

Tracey Thorn
The Sad Dance Diva
http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/f/f2/220px-TraceyThorn.jpg

With a face that seems locked in a permanent forlorn expression and the sort of voice you could take comfort in if your love walked out on you in a jazz club, Tracey Thorn, the voice behind Britpop band Everything But The Girl, is yet another one of those people who's at her best when when her emotions are in the toilet. Not the kinda thing you'd expect coming from a group that's produced quite a few dance hits, but I guess that is to be expected, for I don't think I've ever heard her actually sing a song that's actually... happy.

Songs You Oughta Listen To:

Missing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dswjG_rTBEM)
Walking Wounded (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUM96MknBnk)

[bac0n]

Ella Fitzgerald
The First Lady of Song
http://xroads.virginia.edu/~ASI/musi212/emily/images/fitzgerald.jpg
If anyone ever deserved to be on a list that celebrated vocal prowess, it's Ella Fitzgerald. I'm only now beginning to discover her power, so I'm probably not the best person to describe what it is that's so awesome about her singing abilities, so I'll let others do the talking for me.

"Man, woman or child, Ella is the greatest of them all." - Bing Crosby

"I didn't realize our songs were so good until Ella sang them." - Ira Gershwin

She was the best there ever was. Amongst all of us who sing, she was the best." - Johnny Mathis

"Play an Ella ballad with a cat in the room, and the animal will invariably go up to the speaker, lie down and purr." - Geoffrey Fidelman (author of the Ella Fitzgerald biography, First Lady of Song)

Songs You Oughta Listen To:


Oh, where to begin... for starters, you can check out her scat pwnage here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbL9vr4Q2LU), check out her take on Summertime (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkOuLZ2zcY0) by clicking here. Hell, just do what I do: go to youtube, search on her name and get ready to be dazzled.

[Sycophant]

Ella Fitzgerald has owned, does own, and will continue to own all.

[Horbgorbler]

Ella Fitzgerald has owned, does own, and will continue to own all.

QFT.

[SpaceOddity]

Elizabeth Fraser
A voice as mesmerizing as her eyes
http://www.cocteautwins.com/html/theband/liz/liz_1990_3.jpg

Most of the time when Fraser's singing, I can't make out what the hell she's saying, and on those rare occasions when I can, I can't ever ever make sense of the nonsensical words coming out of her mouth. But that's not the point, for Fraser's vocals are just another layer in the swirling, heavily layered ethereal soundscape of the Cocteau Twins, and you don't need to understand what's coming out of Fraser's mouth to enjoy the beauty of it.

Songs You Oughta Listen To:


Carolyn's Fingers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh83z5vIP0w)
Heaven or Las Vegas (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtBr5JKSuks&NR=1)

*approves*
My faves are Lorelei, Donimo, Fifty fifty clown, Fotzepolitic & I Wear your Ring.
Kinda despise her for being with Jeff Buckley, though.
*apoplectic with envy*

[bac0n]

Richard Ashcroft
King of the Shoegazers
http://www.capesius.com/images/ashy.jpg

Ya know, for someone who could really use a nice steak dinner, Richard Ashcroft sure can bellow with the best of them. Mr. Ashcroft is responsible for the most painfully sad lyric I have ever heard: "Like a cat in a bag, waiting to drown, I know I'm coming down."

Jesus. That lyric never fails to get me into a shitty mood. But what's worse, Ashcroft's ability to hang onto certain words and drag them out is what really gives that line a lot of its punch. It's like having to wait to get hanged, and I got to give a guy props when he can use subtle texture changes and nuances in his voice to effect such a powerful change in the feel of a song.

God, I love The Verve, and Ashcroft's vocal prowess is the main reason why.

Songs you oughta listen to.

This album:

http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/a/a2/TheVerveUrbanHymns.jpg
I mean, seriously. If you don't have this album, then you need to get it. Now. Stop what you're doing. Kill if you must.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Nice. I'm a big fan of that album. It's a shame they broke up so soon.

[bac0n]

Nice. I'm a big fan of that album. It's a shame they broke up so soon.

Last I heard, they were back together for a world tour and an album to be released in 2008. We'll see what becomes of it.

[DSNT]

Last I heard, they were back together for a world tour and an album to be released in 2008. We'll see what becomes of it.
That would be great, but I hope any new stuff doesn't resemble Ashcroft's disappointing solo work. I'd still love to see them play live.

[Lasse]

That would be great, but I hope any new stuff doesn't resemble Ashcroft's disappointing solo work. I'd still love to see them play live.

Yeah, his solo albums weren't all that. I really like Urban Hymns, though.

[bac0n]

For those of you interested, I create a station on Jango (http://www.jango.com) containing all the artists listed on this thread, both the ones listed by me such as George Jones & Midge Ure, and folks mentioned by you, such as Damo Suzuki (vis a vis his band Can), Bob Dylan & Regina Spektor.

Listen » (http://www.jango.com/stations/3532384;tunein?u=0&index=13)

Don't worry, I left Celine Dion off the list. I appreciate her voice, but I can't stand her music.

[D_Davis]

I used to love The Verve. Their first few EPs up and A Storm in Heaven are amazing. After that? Not so much. I think the production of A Northern Soul is terrible, and then they went all pseudo-bluesy and lost their edge. Ashcroft became a diva, their songs started sucking, they only wrote ballads, and then the band totally fell apart.

Blue is a masterpiece of modern rock.

I saw them live over 5 times. The first time it only cost $5! It was at this super small club in SF. They were amazing. Some of the best sound I've ever heard from a live band.

If you guys haven't heard their first 5 or so EPs, check them out. Man they were good.

[bac0n]

I can't believe I forgot to mention this guy :crazy:

Marty Robbins
The Cowboy Balladeer
http://www.capesius.com/images/marty.jpg


The Who's 2006 album "Endless Wire" includes the song "God Speaks, of Marty Robbins." The song's composer, Pete Townshend, explains that the song is about God's deciding to create the universe just so he can hear some music, "and most of all, one of his best creations, Marty Robbins."


Among those who tell stories with song, Marty Robbins is absolutely without peer. His voice has a certain kindness and a sincerity to it that makes you want to enjoy everything that Marty had to say. And boy did he have some great stories to tell...

Songs you oughta listen to.

http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drf800/f891/f89117pa3g8.jpg

A landmark album if ever there was one, Gunfighter Ballads plays like a musical version of a Sergio Leone film. Each song is a masterpiece in its own right, but the centerpiece is the iconic El Paso (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJx3ZI6mI6w), which garnered the first ever Grammy for a country music recording. The town which bears this song's name decided to return the favor by naming a park after Marty.