NPR is asking: tell us who in the whole world possesses the most beautiful, singular voice you have ever heard [deadline 16oct2009]. Leave your picks, along with a sentence defending each choice and a link to an... audio clip if possible, in the comments below, at:
http://www.npr.org/templates/s...hp?storyId=113301632

or email: greatvoices@npr.org

c h has 2 links on npr. tim has 2. liam has 4. but shockingly [to me] neil doesn't have any!

i can't exactly say that neil has a better voice than art garfunkel, or billie holiday. i do say: nobody moves me as a singer/songwriter, like neil finn does.

Wow. I'm not sure I could narrow it down to just one choice. I could certainly craft an argument for Neil Finn. But there are so many others too. I'll be interested to see who makes the final cut.

Do you think anyone will nominate Eddie Vedder? *crying*

I agree with the above ^^^

I really want to vote for Thom Yorke...

quote:

i can't exactly say that neil has a better voice than art garfunkel, or billie holiday.

Billie Holiday, no...but Art Garfunkel? His voice wasn't nearly as good as Paul Simon's IMO, whose voice is pleasant but not especially great in any way.

I think Neil's voice itself is one of the best and most unique of the last few decades...there's nothing especially strange about it on the surface (he's not David Byrne or Bjork in that sense), but it's still striking and you can't mistake him for somebody else. Put it this way: for a "normal" singing voice he's about as good as they come. And technically, he's pretty good as well; good range and control, can go from Paul McCartney's clarinet-style voice to John Lennon sandpaper with no problem.

Thom Yorke is also an incredible vocalist...the quality of his voice is beautiful and unique, but he doesn't have a lot of range IMO. All you need to do is listen to "Paranoid Android"; listen to that and you've pretty much heard 90% of what he's capable of, vocally. I don't really mean that as an insult; he's one of my favorite singers, mainly because he only has a few tricks up his sleeve, yet I never get tired of those tricks. And no matter what he's "doing" with his voice there's always tremendous energy behind it (even in ballads) and his phrasing is perfect.

I could nominate Neil, Damien Rice, Thom Yorke, Brett Anderson, Eddie Vedder or Paddy McAloon, they have such beautiful voices.
But the greatest i ever heard is the voice of the singer of the belgian band Arid. his name is Jasper Steverlinck and he has the most incredible voice i've heard. I saw him live a few months ago and it was gorgerous
here are some videos, words - Arid

me and my melody - Arid

Life on Mars

Male : Al Green (the King)
Female : Karen Carpenter (Hey, let's put the drummer up front !).

Honorable Mentions :

Male : Carl Wilson
Female : Allison Krauss

Frank Sinatra & nobody can deny that Whitney Houston has a great set of pipes - albeit the younger version.

Neil possesses my favourite pop voice. I nominated him without hesitation, although I love lots of singers' voices too.

Didn't we once have a thread like that, where we listed our favourite singers? Or was it bands/artists? Have to look it up.

I love NF's voice, but there are a few more that spring to mind before him: Sam Cooke, Ben E. King, Cass Elliot...

thanks to everybody who went to the effort of making nominations for your choices!

must admit that on frenz: artists/neil finn.... i thought i would have a captive audience to try to have neil recogised, and featured as one of npr’s [national public radio] 50 greatest voices in 2010.

deadline is 16oct2009 [u s a]. doesn’t look very likely at this point?!

I just emailed my nomination, how could I not to me, Neil is THE man... I was going to say 'the voice' but that sounds like I am being John Farnham

James Taylor (dueting with Neil)

Missed nominating someone but I think Chris Isaak is one of the best male singer around these days. I never tire of his holding that note for what seems like ages on "Wicked Game." I also love Bryan Ferry's voice. And of course I love Neil's voice too. It's the voice of a friend to me.