Good Singers

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

Pavarotti 17
Frank Sinatra 10
Elvis Presley 6
James Blunt 5
KT Tunstall 4
Madonna 4
Ella Fitzgerald 3
Katie Melua 3
Nina Simone 3
Norah Jones 3
Alicia Keys 2
Bono 2
Bryn Terfel 2
David Gray 2
Freddie Mercury 2
George Michael 2
Jeff Buckley 2
Joss Stone 2
Kylie Minogue 2
Michael Jackson 2
Morrissey 2
Neil Diamond 2
Paul Weller 2
Prince 2
Robbie Williams 2
Shirley Bassey 2
Stevie Wonder 2
Whitney Houston 2
Aled Jones 1
Annie Lennox 1
Anthony Rolfe Johnson 1
Axl Rose 1
Barbra Streisand 1
Beverly Knight 1
Bruce Springsteen 1
Bryan Ferry 1
Celine Dion 1
Charlotte Church 1
Cher 1
Damien Rice 1
Daniel Bedingfield 1
Dean Martin 1
Elton John 1
Emmylou Harris 1
Eric Clapton 1
Etta James 1
Eva Cassidy 1
Ian Brown 1
Jack Johnson 1
James Dean Bradfield 1
Johnny Cash 1
Joni Mitchell 1
kd lang 1
Kiri Te Kanawa 1
Lauryn Hill 1
Leslie Garrett 1
Marvin Gaye 1
Matt Monro 1
Me 1
Moby 1
My daughter 1
My dog 1
Nick Drake 1
Placido Domingo 1
Robben Ford 1
Rod Stewart 1
Roger Whittaker 1
Sarah McLachlan 1
Sheryl Crow 1
Sting 1
Timmy Mallett 1
Tina Turner 1
Tom Jones 1
Toni Braxton 1
Van Morrison 1
Victoria Beckham 1
Will Young 1

Comments

[dubdobdee.livejournal.com]

this list is redeemed by the rightful placement of n.drake below "MY DOG"

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

Surely not even the hardest of hardcore manics fans would seriously name James Dean Bradfield as their sole pick for "a good singer".

[braisedbywolves.livejournal.com]

I think it's easier for people who write their own lyrics because they get to write to their strengths, also their fans confuse the lyrics with the way that they're sung. CF lots of people with unconventional voices where the hardcore fans will insist that the singing is the BEST thing about the act: Bob Dylan, Stuart Murdoch, David Gedge, Tom Waits etc.

The only real indicator (not that there's a right answer to "What's your favourite singer") is cover versions, and the cover that the MSP did on the Help album is actually pretty ggod.

[dubdobdee.livejournal.com]

the indicator = other ppl covering the songs you have made famous -- if they make it sound rub you are better than them

viz the manics cover of "theme from the snowman" is ppor, so aled >>>> jdb

[alexmacpherson.livejournal.com]

I am astonished at people.

I would seriously love to know what Rhyming Slang Blunt fans actually hear when they listen to him, what kind of filter is in their brains.

[dubdobdee.livejournal.com]

given that pavarotti won, surely there is a huge element of "good = NOT what i like but what THEY like" to this kind of poll, where "they" = the public's idea of the public as a mass-in-general excluding themselves-in-particular

ie KTDunstall gets high marks because she's advertised on TV so the voter thinks "well i think she's meh but the rest of the world must think she's grebt or she wouldn't be advertisied on TV so her"

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

I think it's true for Pavarotti but not for Tunstall - my guess is the 4 ppl who put her down are actual KTT fans, ditto with Blunt, who are answering in a "who have I enjoyed recently" mode.

The reason I like FF polls so much is the way they reveal a public canon like this.

[martinskidmore.livejournal.com]

Was there no "I MUST GET OUT OF THIS COMPANY NOW" feeling when the results were coming in? Having said that, I work in what is basically a software house, but at least I have the sense not to depress myself by asking such questions.

Also, whoever voted for Victoria Beckham is totally taking the piss, unless you work with any of her relatives.

[tommymack.livejournal.com]

I'd say people voted for Pavorotti because he's the only singer with a voice of that calibre who they've heard of. I instantly thought Pavorotti as an answer in the quiz, then thought 'no, people are too thick' which made me think James Blunt, followed by 'no, people aren't that thick'. So the public's ear is better and worse than I thought. How confusing.

I'd say Frank Sinatra is a good vocalist (someone who uses their voice to pleasing effect and to create a distinctive style - my definition) rather than a good singer (someone gifted with a naturally great voice - again my def.) whereas Elvis is a great singer but only sometimes a good vocalist. I don't have any reference points to judge Pavorotti - he sounds pretty stunning to me, but then there might be dozens of opera tenors who can sing like that for all I know.

[jel-bugle.livejournal.com]

Where is this list from?

My list:

James Kochalka
Brett Michaels
J Mascis
Both of the girls outta Puffy Ami Yumi
Mike Love
Kelly Clarkson

yeah