paul secor Posted June 2, 2003 Report Share Posted June 2, 2003 I didn't want to make this a poll, even though those are fun. There are just too many possibilities here, and I didn't want to leave any candidates out. So name your favorite, and add some thoughts as to why, if you choose. I have to go with Percy Sledge. There's something about the sound of his voice that has always grabbed me. Beyond the fact that he makes me believe what he's singing, his voice has a pleading quality which I love. There's also something about his voice that I can't quite pin down. It almost has an organ-like quality. He can be singing in a high range and it sounds like he's not, because of the undertones I hear. I guess if I were a musician, or at least a better writer, I could describe this more clearly, but that's the best I can do. Anyway, Percy's my number one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Posted June 2, 2003 Report Share Posted June 2, 2003 (edited) How hard a decision is that ! If i HAD to choose my from my favourites it would have to be Marvin Gaye (a close call between him & Otis Redding). Love all the classic albums (whats goin on / lets get it on / I want toy etc ) but my favourite is definately Here My Dear . The songs of a man & a marriage in turmoil. Even the more commercial tracks like Chained - what a voice Edited June 2, 2003 by Gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christiern Posted June 2, 2003 Report Share Posted June 2, 2003 Aretha! Aretha! Aretha! Aretha! Aretha! Aretha! Aretha! Aretha! Aretha! Aretha! Aretha! Aretha! Aretha! Aretha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster_Ties Posted June 2, 2003 Report Share Posted June 2, 2003 Ike Willis B) ( hehe ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownie Posted June 2, 2003 Report Share Posted June 2, 2003 Samanddave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster_Ties Posted June 2, 2003 Report Share Posted June 2, 2003 Actually, although I was only half kidding when I said Ike Willis, if I got serious about the question... I'd probably say my personal favorite would be Curtis Mayfield. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John L Posted June 2, 2003 Report Share Posted June 2, 2003 (edited) For me, it's no contest... Favorite soul singer: Sam Cooke Favorite living soul singer: Aretha Franklin Favorite soul artist: Sam Cooke Favorite living soul artist: James Brown Edited June 2, 2003 by John L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan C Posted June 2, 2003 Report Share Posted June 2, 2003 I'll also have to mention Sam Cooke. Aretha Franklin next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzbo Posted June 2, 2003 Report Share Posted June 2, 2003 (edited) For me it's either Aretha or Marvin. Both of them just reach out of the speakers and HIT ME. And both of them are such master technicians and all around master musicians. And they have the spirit, or the spiritual conflict, or something. . . . You know, when I lived in M'Babane, Swaziland at the close of the 'sixties, Percy Sledge was THE MAN there. He was the American soul artist they knew most and loved, because I believe he had come through there on a tour and just knocked them dead! This was the big one: Edited June 2, 2003 by jazzbo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kulu se mama Posted June 2, 2003 Report Share Posted June 2, 2003 let's hear it for etta james. the best living and the best ever. "at last" and "i'd rather go blind" are classics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlhoots Posted June 2, 2003 Report Share Posted June 2, 2003 Female - Ann Peebles Male - Otis Redding Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christiern Posted June 2, 2003 Report Share Posted June 2, 2003 I knew that Miles was a blond chick, but I don't remember Percy Sledge looking like that. Thanks Lon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connoisseur series500 Posted June 2, 2003 Report Share Posted June 2, 2003 Marvin Gaye for me because of the social commentary and stuff thrown in with a terrific voice and great musicianship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noj Posted June 2, 2003 Report Share Posted June 2, 2003 All of the above plus Al Green, Syl Johnson, O.V. Wright, Betty Davis, Millie Jackson, and Gwen McRae. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster_Ties Posted June 2, 2003 Report Share Posted June 2, 2003 All of the above plus... Wow, another vote for Ike Willis!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noj Posted June 2, 2003 Report Share Posted June 2, 2003 All of the above plus... Wow, another vote for Ike Willis!!! I haven't heard any Ike Willis, to be honest. What about other new cats? D'Angelo, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster_Ties Posted June 2, 2003 Report Share Posted June 2, 2003 I haven't heard any Ike Willis, to be honest. From Ike's own web-site (http://www.ikewillis.com) Ike Willis joined Frank Zappa's band in 1977 and took his place for more than ten years as singer (and guitarist) for some of the greatest bands you never heard in your life. Now if you've heard Zappa's bands, then you know Ike Willis. Ike is featured on nearly 30 Zappa CDs and is most popular for his seminal vocal work on such works as "Thing-Fish" and "Joe's Garage, Acts I, II (& III)". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noj Posted June 2, 2003 Report Share Posted June 2, 2003 Thanks Rooster--I've barely scratched the surface with Zappa having gotten Hot Rats this year. New territory for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soul Stream Posted June 2, 2003 Report Share Posted June 2, 2003 O.V Wright or James Carr, it's a toss up to me. With an honorable mention to William Bell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cali Posted June 2, 2003 Report Share Posted June 2, 2003 Female - Aretha Male - Sam Cooke, the original "soul" singer If you haven't checked it out, please rent "Standing In The Shadows Of Motown" on DVD. It's the story of the band that plays on all those great Motown hits. It gives a lot of insight to Marvin and other Motown artist. A truly great movie with great music and a very touching story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AfricaBrass Posted June 2, 2003 Report Share Posted June 2, 2003 My vote goes to Otis Redding. I had never explored his recordings until a couple years ago. Wow! I was missing out. Though many of the already listed artists are up there for me too! Especially Marvin. His Let's Get it On definitely has the SOUL and the groove. Here My Dear is the coolest divorce settlement ever. Ouch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kari S Posted June 2, 2003 Report Share Posted June 2, 2003 (edited) Donny Hathaway. He wrote one of the coolest tunes ever ("The Ghetto"), and was a great singer. Great stuff like Extension Of A Man, and especially Live on which he plays a killer Wurlitzer solo on "The Ghetto"! Edited June 2, 2003 by Kari S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noj Posted June 2, 2003 Report Share Posted June 2, 2003 Donny Hathaway. Yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harold_Z Posted June 2, 2003 Report Share Posted June 2, 2003 HOWARD TATE HOWARD TATE HOWARD TATE HOWARD TATEHOWARD TATE HOWARD TATE HOWARD TATE Can't let this thread go by without mentioning Howard Tate. GET IT WHILE YOU CAN is a Soul classic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danasgoodstuff Posted June 2, 2003 Report Share Posted June 2, 2003 Ray Charles, not just for bringing church and blues together, but for never forgetting it's about what's in your soul and that all peoples got soul even if some seems to get it out better/easier... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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