Whether it is a soaring soprano or distinctive baritone, a great voice is the cornerstone of great music. When paired with stunning compositions and expert instrumentation, an iconic voice helps create iconic songs. * Here are some all-time great voices in music ranging from R&B icons to opera stars, pop idols and everyone in between. Not in any particular order:
Celine Dion, Barbara Streisand, Etta James, Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Smokey Robinson, Mariah Carey, Andrea Bocelli, Elton John, Freddie Mercury, Adele, Prince, Frank Sinatra, Janis Joplin, Billie Holiday, Linda Ronstadt, Mick Jagger, Amy Winehouse, Luciano Pavarotti, David Bowie, Sam Cooke, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Maria Callas, Beyonce’, Al Green, Robert Plant, Ann Wilson, Hank Williams, Selena Quintanilla Perez, Paul McCarney, Kelly Clarkson, Stevie Wonder.
Pairing these voices with music compositions, arrangements, orchestrations, and knowing the vocal artist, songwriters and composers mold the music around the artist to create iconic tunes for iconic artists. A great voice, a great composition of music, is the true cornerstone to great music.
(*part credit to Amy McCarthy at yardbird.com)