Forum Home Forum Home > Progressive Music Lounges > Prog Bands, Artists and Genres Appreciation
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Who are some of the best vocalists in prog?
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Topic ClosedWho are some of the best vocalists in prog?

 Post Reply Post Reply Page  123 5>
Author
Message
StrengthandWisdom View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: August 19 2009
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 104
Direct Link To This Post Topic: Who are some of the best vocalists in prog?
    Posted: April 08 2011 at 18:39
I want singers who've had at least some degree of vocal training, and don't sing with a glottal voice.

Who are some of your favorites? Which bands have really good vocalists? I like Neal Morse and Steven Wilson's voice.
Back to Top
Dellinger View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar
VIP Member

Joined: June 18 2009
Location: Mexico
Status: Offline
Points: 12732
Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 08 2011 at 21:25
From the more famous bands that I know, I go for John Anderson, Annie Haslam, and Freddy Mercury... and then many of the female fronted metal bands too. Very special mention and better than most, are italian singers Francesco di Giancomo (from Banco del Mutuo Socorso), and Jimmy Spitaleri from Metamorfosi.
Back to Top
Mushroom Sword View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: September 28 2010
Status: Offline
Points: 426
Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 08 2011 at 21:34
Geoff Tate. No doubt, he has an amazing voice. Like Dellinger said above, Freddie Mercury (probably the best rock vocalist of all time) and Jon Anderson.
Cedric Bixler-Zavala of TMV can wail pretty well.

Edit: oops. Fixed it!


Edited by Mushroom Sword - April 10 2011 at 00:48
Back to Top
Harry Hood View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: August 15 2005
Status: Offline
Points: 1305
Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 08 2011 at 22:43
As far as range and technical prowess go:

Daniel Gildenlow
Peter Hammill
Steve Walsh (in his younger days)
Dan Swano
Fish (in his younger days)
Ross Jennings (lesser known, he's in a band called Haken and has an incredibly diverse range)

Then theres the singers who aren't as technically gifted but can still belt out some tunes with some real intensity:
Fish (in more recent years)
Steve Hogarth
Steve Walsh (more recently)'
Hasse Froberg
Roine Stolt
Nad Sylvan
Rob Sowden
Peter Nichols
Chuck Schuldiner


In many ways I actually prefer the latter singers to the former.
Back to Top
rogerthat View Drop Down
Prog Reviewer
Prog Reviewer


Joined: September 03 2006
Location: .
Status: Offline
Points: 9869
Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 08 2011 at 23:31
I endorse the suggestions of Haslam, Gildenlow and Walsh.  Also, doesn't really have a huge range but a very pleasant voice: Richard Sinclair.  Phil Collins in the four man Genesis days too, especially the song Ripples.  Not particularly trained, these last two but given that you mentioned Morse and Wilson, I am not sure that is exactly what you're looking for.  Would also suggest The Gathering's singer Anneke van Giersbergen, especially the album How to Measure A Planet. 
Back to Top
Man Overboard View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: November 07 2004
Location: Austin, TX
Status: Offline
Points: 3830
Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 09 2011 at 00:11
Originally posted by rogerthat rogerthat wrote:

Not particularly trained, these last two but given that you mentioned Morse and Wilson, I am not sure that is exactly what you're looking for.  

Glad somebody said it LOL
Back to Top
richardh View Drop Down
Prog Reviewer
Prog Reviewer
Avatar

Joined: February 18 2004
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 28039
Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 09 2011 at 01:47
Always loved Bryan Ferry's strange 'wobbly' voice.
 
On an emotional level Pete Nicholls (IQ) does it for me. I also like Matt Bellamy for sheer intensity (check out Sing For Absolution)
 
Technically the best imo:
Chris Thompson
Bruce Dickinson
 
The worst:
The guy from Eloy although I love the band
 
Back to Top
SimZeppelin View Drop Down
Forum Newbie
Forum Newbie
Avatar

Joined: December 23 2009
Location: Newcastle, UK
Status: Offline
Points: 13
Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 09 2011 at 03:13
Personal favourites of mine are Peter Nicholls (IQ),  Rikard Sjoblom (Beardfish) and Derek Shulman (Gentle Giant).

Then of course there are the all-time prog greats like Gabriel, Mercury, anderson and Geddy Lee.

Although Andy Tillison's voice has never been great, I always appreciated that his songs were very personal, so I guess good vocals aren't always so important LOL
Going to trial with a lawyer who considers your whole lifestyle a crime-in-progress is not a happy prospect.
Back to Top
Billy Pilgrim View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: September 28 2010
Location: Austin
Status: Offline
Points: 1505
Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 09 2011 at 03:36
Originally posted by Mushroom Sword Mushroom Sword wrote:

Omar Rodriguez Lopez can wail pretty well.


Omar is the Voltas guitar player. Cedric is the singer.


Back to Top
Snow Dog View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator

Joined: March 23 2005
Location: Caerdydd
Status: Offline
Points: 32995
Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 09 2011 at 03:48
Originally posted by richardh richardh wrote:


Technically the best imo:

Bruce Dickinson
 


How can a screamer be technically the best?LOL
Back to Top
martinprog77 View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: December 31 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 2523
Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 09 2011 at 03:55
Patrik Lundström  from ritual and kaipa  has an amazing voice

Edited by martinprog77 - April 09 2011 at 03:55
Nothing can last
there are no second chances.
Never give a day away.
Always live for today.


Back to Top
rogerthat View Drop Down
Prog Reviewer
Prog Reviewer


Joined: September 03 2006
Location: .
Status: Offline
Points: 9869
Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 09 2011 at 04:36
Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:

Originally posted by richardh richardh wrote:


Technically the best imo:

Bruce Dickinson
 


How can a screamer be technically the best?LOL

While I agree that Bruce is not technically the best, there's much more to his singing than just screaming.  He used to sing at the top of a tenor's range all the time in the 80s so that is very demanding. Sure, we have so very many of those metal sirens by now but it's still not for everyone. And not just the fact that he hits those notes, he belts them powerfully. And he sings in tune all the time, so it's not screaming in the Tom Araya-sense at all.  Lacked adaptability and favoured an overwrought style of emoting but that's a different story.  
Back to Top
Snow Dog View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator

Joined: March 23 2005
Location: Caerdydd
Status: Offline
Points: 32995
Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 09 2011 at 04:41
Originally posted by rogerthat rogerthat wrote:

Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:

Originally posted by richardh richardh wrote:


Technically the best imo:

Bruce Dickinson
 


How can a screamer be technically the best?LOL

While I agree that Bruce is not technically the best, there's much more to his singing than just screaming.  He used to sing at the top of a tenor's range all the time in the 80s so that is very demanding. Sure, we have so very many of those metal sirens by now but it's still not for everyone. And not just the fact that he hits those notes, he belts them powerfully. And he sings in tune all the time, so it's not screaming in the Tom Araya-sense at all.  Lacked adaptability and favoured an overwrought style of emoting but that's a different story.  

I meant shouter rather than screamer. My mistake. He shouts. 
Back to Top
rogerthat View Drop Down
Prog Reviewer
Prog Reviewer


Joined: September 03 2006
Location: .
Status: Offline
Points: 9869
Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 09 2011 at 04:45
Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:

Originally posted by rogerthat rogerthat wrote:

Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:

Originally posted by richardh richardh wrote:


Technically the best imo:

Bruce Dickinson
 


How can a screamer be technically the best?LOL

While I agree that Bruce is not technically the best, there's much more to his singing than just screaming.  He used to sing at the top of a tenor's range all the time in the 80s so that is very demanding. Sure, we have so very many of those metal sirens by now but it's still not for everyone. And not just the fact that he hits those notes, he belts them powerfully. And he sings in tune all the time, so it's not screaming in the Tom Araya-sense at all.  Lacked adaptability and favoured an overwrought style of emoting but that's a different story.  

I meant shouter rather than screamer. My mistake. He shouts. 

Well, maybe my objections come across as semantic, but Bruce is simply belting hard at high pitch. It's not shouting because he's very much in tune.  The last lines of Hallowed Be Thy Name, for example, are SUNG.  With a lot of power and fury, yes, but it's still singing. I would not call it shouting or screaming because trying to shout out those notes like that day in day out in concert can wreck the singer's voice. Bruce was absolutely in control and knew what he was doing.
Back to Top
Snow Dog View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator

Joined: March 23 2005
Location: Caerdydd
Status: Offline
Points: 32995
Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 09 2011 at 04:47
Originally posted by rogerthat rogerthat wrote:

Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:

Originally posted by rogerthat rogerthat wrote:

Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:

Originally posted by richardh richardh wrote:


Technically the best imo:

Bruce Dickinson
 


How can a screamer be technically the best?LOL

While I agree that Bruce is not technically the best, there's much more to his singing than just screaming.  He used to sing at the top of a tenor's range all the time in the 80s so that is very demanding. Sure, we have so very many of those metal sirens by now but it's still not for everyone. And not just the fact that he hits those notes, he belts them powerfully. And he sings in tune all the time, so it's not screaming in the Tom Araya-sense at all.  Lacked adaptability and favoured an overwrought style of emoting but that's a different story.  

I meant shouter rather than screamer. My mistake. He shouts. 

Well, maybe my objections come across as semantic, but Bruce is simply belting hard at high pitch. It's not shouting because he's very much in tune.  The last lines of Hallowed Be Thy Name, for example, are SUNG.  With a lot of power and fury, yes, but it's still singing. I would not call it shouting or screaming because trying to shout out those notes like that day in day out in concert can wreck the singer's voice. Bruce was absolutely in control and knew what he was doing.

Lets get this clear...to me he is a shouter. Nothing you say will sway that opinion.Smile
Back to Top
rogerthat View Drop Down
Prog Reviewer
Prog Reviewer


Joined: September 03 2006
Location: .
Status: Offline
Points: 9869
Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 09 2011 at 04:52
Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:

 

Lets get this clear...to me he is a shouter. Nothing you say will sway that opinion.Smile

Fine, but I raised the objection only because you are questioning another's assessment of Bruce's technical abilities based on what appear to be somewhat inaccurate observations.  You are free to call him what you like, but factually, Bruce is a singer, he's not a typical thrash metal shouter sort at all. 
Back to Top
Snow Dog View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator

Joined: March 23 2005
Location: Caerdydd
Status: Offline
Points: 32995
Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 09 2011 at 04:55
Originally posted by rogerthat rogerthat wrote:

Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:

 

Lets get this clear...to me he is a shouter. Nothing you say will sway that opinion.Smile

Fine, but I raised the objection only because you are questioning another's assessment of Bruce's technical abilities based on what appear to be somewhat inaccurate observations.  You are free to call him what you like, but factually, Bruce is a singer, he's not a typical thrash metal shouter sort at all. 

He shouts. Belting a song throughout is shouting. And of course factually he is a singer. So is mark Knoppfler factually a singer even though he talks. he's a talker. Don't pull this my opinion are true nonsense.


Edited by Snow Dog - April 09 2011 at 04:57
Back to Top
rogerthat View Drop Down
Prog Reviewer
Prog Reviewer


Joined: September 03 2006
Location: .
Status: Offline
Points: 9869
Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 09 2011 at 05:00
Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:

 

He shouts. Belting a song throughout is shouting.

Wrong. Belting is simply maintaining chest resonance even at pitches where you'd normally be required to move to head.  Sounds of the Sea chorus is as much belted as Hallowed...., just used for different purposes.

 
Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:

 And of course factually he is a singer. So is mark Knoppfler factually a singer even though he talks. he's a talker. Don't pull this my facts are true nonsense.

I really haven't heard enough Dire Straits to relate to that analogy but if your point is simply that any vocalist is a singer, that's not what I was saying at all.  A vocalist projecting tuneful melodies is a singer.  Bruce definitely meets that criterion, whether he sings gently or at the top of his voice is irrelevant.  If your point was that he cannot emote over gentle or sparse settings, many technically accomplished singers don't fare very well at that either so diversity or adaptability has nothing to do with technical skill.  
Back to Top
Snow Dog View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator

Joined: March 23 2005
Location: Caerdydd
Status: Offline
Points: 32995
Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 09 2011 at 05:04
Originally posted by rogerthat rogerthat wrote:

Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:

 

He shouts. Belting a song throughout is shouting.

Wrong. Belting is simply maintaining chest resonance even at pitches where you'd normally be required to move to head.  Sounds of the Sea chorus is as much belted as Hallowed...., just used for different purposes.

 
Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:

 And of course factually he is a singer. So is mark Knoppfler factually a singer even though he talks. he's a talker. Don't pull this my facts are true nonsense.

I really haven't heard enough Dire Straits to relate to that analogy but if your point is simply that any vocalist is a singer, that's not what I was saying at all.  A vocalist projecting tuneful melodies is a singer.  Bruce definitely meets that criterion, whether he sings gently or at the top of his voice is irrelevant.  If your point was that he cannot emote over gentle or sparse settings, many technically accomplished singers don't fare very well at that either so diversity or adaptability has nothing to do with technical skill.  

You're wrong ( to use your term)
 

He shouts. he shouts in tune. But he shouts.

Having said that, I love Iron Maiden and Bruce.( just wish he wouldn't shout so much)
Back to Top
BaldFriede View Drop Down
Prog Reviewer
Prog Reviewer
Avatar

Joined: June 02 2005
Location: Germany
Status: Offline
Points: 10261
Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 09 2011 at 05:08
Originally posted by StrengthandWisdom StrengthandWisdom wrote:

I want singers who've had at least some degree of vocal training, and don't sing with a glottal voice.

Who are some of your favorites? Which bands have really good vocalists? I like Neal Morse and Steven Wilson's voice.

Even singers WITH training use "glottal voice" (I presume you mean "head voice"); you can't reach certain high notes without using head voice. If you don't believe me read the wikipedia entry about vocal resonation:
http://vocal resonation
Vocal training only teaches you  how to switch between them effortlessly and to support the sung note with the diaphragm.



Edited by BaldFriede - April 09 2011 at 05:12


BaldJean and I; I am the one in blue.
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  123 5>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down



This page was generated in 0.149 seconds.
Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.