Jennifer Holliday - Best Singer in the World?

I hold this opinion, really. I can't really think of anybody who could out blow her in terms of vocal power or interpretation.

Maybe at one time, but her signature song, "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going", has no passion any more. It's all tricks, and they all come on schedule. Watch her perform it twice in different venues--it's always exactly the same; her little "ha, ha"s, etc., are all set in stone. Her fans make it too easy for her--she comes on stage, walks into the spotlight, and sings the first line, and they give her a standing ovation--it's almost unnecessary for her to actually perform the rest of the song.

---

Until you've heard every singer in the world, how could you say she is the best singer IN THE WORLD?

Agreeing with Rath and Roquat. Her performances of "And I Am Telling You..." have become VERY sterile.

I think she's one of the musical theatre's greatest voices, but I think calling her the greatest ever is an overstatement.

I'm kinda weird about my musical taste I'd prefer a beautiful voice over a powerful one any day. So I'm not really a big fan. And on top of that I think a long list of pop, rock, soul, and R & B stars would give her a run for her money. And are definitely more pleasing to listen too.
____________________________________________

And this list would be? And lets clear a few people off. Whitney? Her voice is blown. Mariah? Her voice is shot. Christina? Nah. Celine? LOL. Anyone else?

I totally agree with Jaso_n because, lately, it seems that people look for power before beauty. Years ago when technology was not exactly"state of the art" a powerful voice carried better. But with advances in sound technology, a "pretty" yet less overpowering voice can be carried just as far without the shout-like-jennifer-holliday-belt.

---

In regard to Jennifer's performance on Broadway's Leading Ladies, it was a concert, so of course you're not going to get the fire and the buildup of having a whole first act before that. It's never going to have the same effect when someone just comes out and sings that song versus when you hear it in the context of the play.

Whether Jen is the best singer in the world is a matter of opinion. It just depends on taste. Now, it doesn't seem like she's interested in being an artist, and moreso about doing a concert featuring her hits every now and again to make some cash. But in her prime she could easily put Mariah, Shoshana, Christina, and Cyndi to rest (not just in regard to sheer power). Patti, Whitney, and Aretha (at their primes) are probably the only ones that could compete with her, and it really just depends on the type of song their singing.

To say anyone is "the best singer in the world," is a pretty tall order. I would think this "crown" could be worn only by a singer with a good-sized body of work, over a healthy period of time.

Jennifer's been around a long while now... but she's really only "the best" at one song. Her signature song that put her on the map. I agree with those that say it's a calculated, audio-animatronic performance now. I would also argue that this happens with MOST singer's signature songs... including Garland (who always choked up at the exact same moment in Over the Rainbow in later years) and LuPone (who always chokes up at the exact same moment in Don't Cry For Me, Argentina in recent years), etc. They sing these songs because audiences want to hear them. Not (necessarily) because they themselves love them. They fully understand the power of their "song" though, and the notoriety it's brought them.

But anyone in my "best singer in the world" display cabinet has to rise to that distinction on many songs over many years, constantly turning in definitive performances, or at least IMO definitive. It's a very short list for me. Most of them are dead already. Only Streisand and Aretha Franklin are still around. And then you could argue that they're past their primes now, and can't deliver the goods like they used to. But their body of work precedes them, and you can't change that. You can't take away their history. You can choose to forget it or ignore it, but it's still there, regardless. Other than those living divas, my list includes Garland, Mama Cass, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Janis Joplin, Peggy Lee, Billie Holliday, Frank Sinatra and Mel Torme. Jennifer's got a lot of catching up to do, if she wants to join that group.

---

Updated On: 12/24/05 at 10:38 AM

It is universally agreed that Celine Dion is THE GREATEST SINGER IN THE WORLD!

My comment was a tongue in cheek; Ana Gasteyer used to play Celine on Saturday Night Live and always said, "I'm the greatest singer...in the world!"
But you're right, CD is pretty darn good!

"I know nothing of this Jennifer Holliday you speak of. It is I, Celine, who is...THE GREATEST SINGER...IN THE WORLD!"

---