Best singing voice in new wave

[pikeprof]

This is an interesting post-because "singing" per se has never been much of a requirement for rock and roll, c.f., Lou Reed, Neil Young, Dylan, etc.,and yet I would argue that all three of those chaps are evocative vocalists.

Elvis for a good share of his life had amazing range c.f, "love me" and I think had perfect pitch-he was a musical illiterate-could not read music.

One voice I can listen to forever in the NW realm is Mac from Echo-what control over dynamics.

[AMPCARSFAN]

HI Frayo! Really?? You think Ric Ocasek has a better voice than even Ben Orr? I think that's cool that you think so, but really he doesnt have the range that Ben did.. I would like to see Ric do more songs like "Emotion in Motion"- I will admit he does sound great on that- that was my wedding song, btw

[BombGangGirl]

Kate Bush immediately springs to my mind, but I think unlike traditional rock and roll, most great new wave required great voices. I think evocative is the perfect word for the genre.

Though there are exceptions, like Bernard Summer from New Order. Don't get me wrong, I love his voice and love NO but range the man does not have. But like any good singer, he makes his limitations work for him not against him.

[andrewkstone]

A lot of my faves mentioned here (Ric Ocasek/ Benn Orr, Tillbrook, Elvis). I'd include Aimee Mann -- from her days with 'til tuesday to today, she's always amazed me. I like to think of her as a female John Lennon in many ways, and one manner is her seamless shifts to and from falsetto. Beautiful.

Also, I'd put Robyn Hitchcock on my list -- I'm a huge fan of his, from the Soft Boys days as well as solo. While his voice is probably his least best attribute, I do think he's got a very effective voice -- it's distinctive and I can't imagine many others signing those great lyrics.

Some others in this ame "effective" category:

Andy Patridge (XTC)
Tom Verlaine (Television)
Larry Bangor (Human Sexual Response)

Cheers,

Andrew K. Stone
Author of
ALL FLOWERS DIE and DISAPPEAR INTO VIEW
read the first chapters at
http://www.sotherebooks.com

[whistledog]

[quote][i]Originally posted by schwenko[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by dearly beloved[/i]
<br>I have to second the motion on Midge Ure.

Also, Simon Lebon has remarkable range and control.

The singer from King (don't know name) always struck me as having above average vocal abilities.
[/quote]

Paul King
[/quote]

I agree! Paul King had a great voice!

'Love and Pride' is a classic! I also liked the song 'Fish'

[design_femme]

everybody named the best ones already!

I'd like to add:
Caroline Crawley of Shelleyan Orphan fame, but she's best known for her contribution to This Mortal Coil's [i]Blood[/i] album. Go, go, go find her cover of "Late Night."

Harriet Wheeler of the Sundays. She didn't grab me at first, but after listening to their debut album over and over again, I've realized she packs a lotta power for a wee little girly voice. It's girly, but a bit tomboyish, you know?

I am a sucker for Liz Fraser. While she's known for her soprano ways, I prefer her powerful wailings. Check out her backing vocals on Felt's "Primitive Painters":

"You… should… see… my trail of disgrace"

"I just wish… my life… could beeeeeeeee… as strange as a conspiracy"

oh god, her voice on that song sends chills down my back.

[GlitteringPrize]

Alison Moyet
Jimmy Sommerville

[zalasta]

annie lennox for female, and for male it's hard to argue with Peter Murphy. His voice just blows me away. amazing power and drama and feeling

[Frayo]

Cee Farrow...

And especially...
my favorite vocalist of all time...
The Lead Singer of the Dickies.

[Silvina Hernandez]

Male:
Martin Fry
Morten Harket
Jimmy Sommervile- pain
Neil Finn
Kevin Patterson (Fiction Factory)
Glenn Gregory
Andy McCluskey- heavenly
Neil Tennant
Tony Hadley
Mark Hollis-
Phil Oakey
Bono
Midge Ure- my favouite, especially live. His performance of Vienna at Live Aid was fantastic.

Female:
Bette Bright- my favorite.I love the way she expresses her vulnerability
Belinda Carlisle- the same
Pauline Black- strenght
Martha Davies- vulnerability, again.
Alison Moyet- strenght, again.

[SuNomi]

I'm amazed to not see a single mention of John Doe's flawless pipes in X or Paul Weller (especially in The Style Council). Where's the love people?

As for female, gotta go with the consensus Kate Bush, Liz Fraser and my personal favorite...the inimitable NINA HAGEN!

[Jim2]

Here's a handful:

Lene Lovich
Clare Grogan of Altered Images
Claudia Brucken of Propaganda
Elizabeth Fraser of The Cocteau Twins
Alison Moyet Of Yazoo
Grace Jones
Catherine Oblasney of Polyrock
Pal Shazar of Slow Children
Shona Laing
Martha Davies of The Motels

Paul Heaton Of The Housemartins
Gary Daly of China Crisis
Dieter Meier of Yello
Morten Harket of A-Ha
Glen Gregory of Heaven 17
Klaus Nomi
Robyn Hitchcock
Dave Vanian of The Damned
Johann (Hans) Hölzel aka Falco


I used to get a kick whenever I heard a New Wave Band like the Smiths or XTC on the radio. Now I hear them in the grocery store and in restaurants.

[ippudo]

Billy MacKenzie (Associates)
Roddy Frame (Aztec Camera)
Glenn Tilbrook (Squeeze)
David Sylvian
Glenn Gregory

[TragicMagic]

I'd agree with names like

Tony Hadley
Morten Harket
Alison Moyet
Neil Finn
Midge Ure
Id probably also add Annie Lennox

There are lots of distinguishable and appreciable voices (LeBon etc) but they may not be the most technically brilliant. Some just stand out as better trained / more powerful / larger range etc. Sometimes its hard to define a separation between the 2 classes.

TM

[profpike]

Female Voice: Annie Lennox-Still stunds me today

Male: Jimmy Sommerville-Still don't know how he hit some of those notes.-listen to the obligato on Fine Young Cannibals' cover of SUspicious Minds

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