Most glorious voices ever heard

[Dave19]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 9:45pm

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, after years of listening to many people singing. I know preferences for certain voices are all a matter of taste, but I would like to share what I think are the best singing voices I have ever heard. I tend to like voices that are crystal clear, silky, soft and powerful at the same time and are able to convey emotion through various factors like intonations, placements and rising and coloring of every note and syllable. I love it when it is almost as if every little detail and nuance is so perfect in conveying the message/emotion, that a song feels like pure art, I don't know how else to put it. I found that only very few singers posess this fine quality. Also, I think it is important that the singer keeps a certain kind of “reality” to their singing which makes it sound like a direct extension of speech, in combination with mastering the craft extremely well. Only then I am moved by acting through song. On the radio, as well as in theatre or musical films. For example, no doubt that Rebecca Caine can sing, but she forms her voice into a sort of “hollow” sound that is a little too deep for her natural voice, like a trick, a technique, not real enough for my taste. With Sarah Brightman the same thing, good voice but too nasal/distorted, doesn’t feel like an extension of speech, bad pronunciation to me. Basically too many singers either do things that distract from the real voice or don't master the craft of singing well enough.
So here are my picks and I would love to hear yours.

Female:

Lea Salonga:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kl4hJ4j48s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSYtZRMFozc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67XrqXXTceM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjfmP7h3gBw

Joke de Kruijf:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lpuKuSIrc8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_fKFQZxtAA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ateBD6Vf_PE


Julie Andrews:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OobPl_irg34

Whitney Houston:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HR5-Bzdw0sU

Karen Carpenter:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIDGgJHEDRU

Sandi Patty:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHh12LJLJVE

Claire Moore:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5XetQeFu-0

Male:

John Owen Jones:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCPiAKDLjKY

Anthony Warlow:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq18yXagGNg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k67mhasVZKE

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 9:53pm

Carol Channing...
Hooray

[Dave19]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 10:00pm

Jay, now I see where the Nicki Minaj' of these days have been listening to in their youth If only they were exposed to a little more beauty while growing up.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 10:01pm

The gorgeous Steven Pasquale

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVEkCujOHkg

The luminous Kelli O'Hara

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gpHsUXvsxc

James Barbour, who was meant to be on stage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouwHLadMr8U

The flawless Joshua Henry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Lr28TO6ufo

[Showface]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 10:12pm

Ha!

"Carol Channing is Better Than You"

I love it!

[Fantod]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 10:19pm

Edda Moser

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 10:21pm

Barbra Streisand
Judy Kuhn
Betty Buckley
Barbara Cook
Audra McDonald

Updated On: 3/16/15 at 10:21 PM

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 10:25pm

Two words: Liz Callaway. I don't have the expertise to describe her voice, technically, but all I know is that she has the voice of an angel.

Liz Callaway Sings "Meadowlark"

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 10:29pm

[seahag2]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 10:32pm

Who else was seriously taken aback the first time they heard Eden Espinosa sing? I tried to get used to it but still am not a huge fan to this day...

[iholland95]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 10:47pm

Mine would have to be Sierra Boggess:

Part of Your World
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyNMdpu8cYg

Love Never Dies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_4fo5KSnQk

If I Loved You
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mSEb7Bl0hU

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZq2AcksHBk

Donde Lieta
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBTWBwk42Jc

[heybroadwayhey]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 10:50pm

Seahag2 Yeah, I'm with you. Not my favorite. I don't think I've seen her perform since Wicked in 2006...

[Pootie2]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 10:51pm

"Who else was seriously taken aback the first time they heard Eden Espinosa sing? I tried to get used to it but still am not a huge fan to this day..."
"Seahag2 Yeah, I'm with you. Not my favorite. I don't think I've seen her perform since Wicked in 2006..."

You're in the wrong thread.

[adam.peterson44]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 10:57pm

Kelli O'Hara
James Snyder
Steven Pasquale
Brian Stokes Mitchell
Liz Callaway
Marin Mazzie
Norm Lewis
Aaron Tveit
Jerry Dixon
Jason Tam
Tam Mutu
Megan Hilty
Jeremy Jordan
LaChanze


Updated On: 3/16/15 at 10:57 PM

[broadwayboy223]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 10:59pm

Judy Garland, Eydie Gorme, Babs, Audra, Kelli O'hara and I can't think of anymore at the moment.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 11:11pm

Based on that "Meadowlark", it's a good thing Calloway has a beautiful tone (and excellent enunciation, while we're at it) because she can't find a downbeat to save her soul. (Yes, I know it's intentional, but damn!)

[JoseLee_]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 11:21pm

Terrence Mann
Cheyenne Jackson
Brian Stokes Mitchell
Lea Salonga
James Snyder
Adam Pascal
Mary Martin
Julie Andrews
Idina Menzel
Ramin Karimloo
John Cameron Mitchell
Stark Sands
Victoria Clark
Matt Doyle
Kristin Chenoweth
Lea Michele
Sierra Boggess
Angela Lansbury
Sutton Foster
Glenn Close
Nathan Lane
Kelli O'Hara
Kerry Butler
Ethel Merman
Matthew James Thomas
Barbra Streisand
Heather Headley
Caissie Levy
Laura Osnes
Constantine Maroulis
Jeremy Jordan
Billy Porter
Krysta Rodriguez
Reeve Carney
Steven Pasquale
Hugh Jackman
Megan Hilty
Laura Bell Bundy
Jonathan Groff
Patina Miller
Stephanie Mills
Jennifer Holliday
Sherie Rene Scott
Jessie Mueller
Bebe Neuwirth
John Tartaglia
Gavin Creel
Chita Rivera
Charlotte d'Amboise
Laura Benanti
Brent Carver
Donna Murphy
LaChanze
Aaron Tveit
John Gallagher Jr.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 11:36pm

Damn, a whole page of names and not an opera singer within a mile. That's impressive.

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 11:38pm

Renee Fleming. Are you happy now Hogan?

[Marianne2]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 11:39pm

Sara Ramirez

[seahag2]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 11:39pm

A few years ago I would have said Ariana Grande (her range at 13 years old was amazing) but now I find her pop star stuff so laboring. It just sounds very nasal and mushy. Still amazing, but not the technique/style I like as much.

Lea Salonga, Laura Osnes, Bernadette Peters, and Daisy Eagan for sure though

Updated On: 3/17/15 at 11:39 PM

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 11:41pm

Damn, a whole page of names and not an opera singer within a mile. That's impressive.

Edda Moser is an opera singer. Perhaps you've never heard of her.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 11:46pm

Zing!

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 11:48pm

Judy Kuhn
Mandy Patinkin
Bernadette Peters
Donna Murphy
Audra Mcdonald

[Fantod]

Posted: 3/16/15 at 11:50pm

HogansHero,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNEOl4bcfkc&spfreload=10

Stunning.