November 12th, 2009
NPR: which are your five “great voices”?
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From NPR:
In January 2010, NPR will launch a year-long exploration of 50 great voices in recorded history. The series isn’t an attempt to catalog the so-called “greatest” singers. Instead, we hope to discover and re-discover awe-inspiring vocalists from around the world and across time.
This list has been whittled down a small cast of 50 to include some of my favourite singers, including Morrissey, Maria Callas and Elvis Presley. There are soundbites available for every singer on the list (just click ‘em to hear). The list is pretty American yet quite interesting from a pop perspective, in a way. I’m glad to see people like Benjamino Gigli and Notorious B.I.G., but where’s Jussi Björling and Rakim? Of course there will always be scrutiny when a list like this is published, and I won’t yak further about my gripes. Instead I’ll look into the voices I haven’t heard much from, e.g. Celia Cruz and Milton Nascimento.
The picture at the top of this post includes my five faves of the bunch. So, tell me your truth: which are your five faves?
Check out the list and cast your vote here. I’m really looking forward to this series to start broadcasting.
November 12th, 2009 at 12:58
ok. i have a HUGE gripe. one of the greatest voices alive today was left off and i'm wondering if NPR had a huge brainfart.
Bobby McFerrin
And if this isn't one of the most shining examples of his work…(he does ALL the voices and has like a nine octave range)
http://open.spotify.com/track/0R2Xy8mq2CwONVa5HjL...
Then maybe this is and it's off an album CALLED The Voice:
http://open.spotify.com/track/25d3TfTqfXEII5ZHYgv...
Sheesh. I'm upset.
November 12th, 2009 at 22:12
Intressant idé!
Mina val: Björk, Bowie, Freddie Mercury, Morrissey, Nina Simone.
November 13th, 2009 at 08:30
I'll definitely have to check out his stuff! Sadly, all that remains of him for me is "Don't Worry, Be Happy" which I'm guessing is not his usual style.
I miss Diamanda Galás in the list:
[youtube KzWVWY5QUzg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzWVWY5QUzg youtube]
Not to mention one that I definitely think should be there, namely Blixa Bargeld! Just check these two performances (that differ hugely as far as his voice is concerned) with his band, Einstürzende Neubauten:
[youtube rd-SpXJ3ops http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rd-SpXJ3ops youtube]
[youtube pm_aut6RDAY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pm_aut6RDAY youtube]
November 13th, 2009 at 08:33
Oväntat med Bowie, inte! Jag saknar Blixa Bargeld i listan. Bland andra!
November 16th, 2009 at 17:46
I could easily imagine Elvis Presley as the king and Timi Yuro his queen.