This is meant to be a very personal topic. Please don't make fun of anyone who has the guts or trust to share with us. I know, I could name a dozen members who are self-confident and open to bashing someone's opinions, but for me, if not for them or you, cut them slack at least for the rest of July.

I have to preface this by telling you that my mom's favorite vocalists were The Ink Spots, and a little later, Nat King Cole. Now, since I was exposed to them, I can appreciate that my mom had very good taste, even if it was for a time before me.
I would add that Ray Charles' "Georgia on My Mind" and Louis Armstrong's "Wonderful World" will always stand the test of time, at least for me and my loved ones.

Now getting closer to my own thread. The best present-day female vocalists would have to include Bjork, PJ Harvey, Lucinda Williams, Loretta Lynn, and whomever YOU love.

Current male vocalists of major note would have to include Grant-Lee Phillips, Chris Isaak, Thom Yorke (YES, somehow had a brain fart and forgot him first time around!), and this obscure lead singer for "The Coral", James Skelly, who knocks my socks off without spamming, but that has more to do with vocal-uniqueness than product-placement. Later, Gators.

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Jeff Buckley is by far the best male vocalist that Ive ever heard. Notable mentions include John Lennon, Jack White and Axl Rose.

As for female vocalists, there are a ton but off the top of my head Sarah Brightman sticks out at the top.

My Choice would be The Temptations. They've had countless members throughout the years but somehow they still manage to keep that particular sound that seperates them from the rest.
Even today, they're still leagues above most other groups in the black music community.

Beth Orton
Tracey Thorn of Everything but the Girl
Esthero

And lately I have been super impressed by the vocals of Joanna Swan from Ilya.

Member 27, you're absolutely correct about Jeff Buckley. I've mentioned my love around here for his version of "Hallelujah". Singing can't get much better than that.

Although he's not my favorite vocalist, I think that Mike Patton is the most technically proficient vocalist to ever live. That said, I think that Thom Yorke and Jonsi (from Sigur Ros) deserve mentions, because they're one of those rare vocalists that can actually hit the notes that they sing on record in a live setting.

In terms of style, and influenced by my own opinion, Patton, Yorke and Jonsi aside, I'd have to say that I'm very fond of Black Francis (from The Pixies). His vocal style is very eclectic, as he switches from throat-destroying shouts to breathy coos. It's also a joy to listen to. Isaac Brock is a vocalist I like a lot, too, because he reminds me of Black Francis if he was doing a country sing-along thing.

Bjork, too, is an incredible vocalist. While she, at times, sounds vulnerable and sad, she never seems any less powerful or conscious. And Blinda Butcher (from My Bloody Valentine) is one of my favorite vocalists because her voice is just very lovely to me. It's kinda even romantic. There are a lot of vocalists whose voices strike me as romantic, like Kim Gordon (from Sonic Youth, and when she's not crazy), Leslie Feist (from Broken Social Scene), Sam Beam (Iron & Wine) and J Spaceman/Jason Pierce (from Spiritualized and Spacemen 3).

However, my absolute favorite vocalist, personally, is David Byrne. He reminds me of Robin Williams if he was a maniacal preacher on the street, and his lyrics couldn't sound anymore fitting and intelligent coming from his mouth. Stylistically, too, I don't think it can get much weirder/cooler than David Byrne. I am referring to Stop Making Sense and David Byrne's big suit. (And his interview with himself deserves an honorable mention.)

Other vocalists who I can't write about but I think deserve mention are:
Sufjan Stevens
Jeff Tweedy (from Wilco)
Rivers Cuomo (from Weezer)
Thurston Moore (from Sonic Youth)
Lee Ranaldo (from Sonic Youth)
Morrissey (from The Smiths)
Ian Curtis (from Joy Division)
Kurt Cobain (from Nirvana)
Joni Mitchell
Mikael Akerfeldt (from Opeth)
Stephen Malkmus (from Pavement)

my favorite vocalists in current music include Broadcast's Trish Keenan and Clinic's Ade Blackburn.

Other than that I would like to mention Dan Bejar. At first I could not stand his voice. I just thought it was awful. It grew on me very much and now I think he is one of today's most orignal vocalists.

Does anybody else think that Ben Gibbard has an awful voice?

Adam Drucker aka Dose One from Clouddead. I mentioned him in the favorite rappers thread. Pretensious as fuck, but he's also genius enough to pull it off.

Falco from Mclusky. Mclusky lyrics are hilarious when read off of paper, but when he sings them, they ascend to an even higher level of mega funniness. Even though the guy looks like a total bro, he is cool.

A big "tru dat" to whoever mentioned Trish Keenan from Broadcast. Shit is bomb.

Props to Member 27 for mentioning Axl Rose. I don't know how he can makes those screams without hurting himself. Umm...maybe that's why he can't perform live or put out records anymore?

For my money, I like Sarah Cracknell (of St. Etienne fame), Mark Eitzel, Mark Kozelek, Paul Weller, Paul Westerberg, Jeff Tweedy, and Ken Stringfellow (of the Posies).

I'm not a huge Buckley fan, but he did have quite an amazing voice. I'm told the same thing about Rufus Wainwright, but I can't vouch for it myself.

Chester Bennington(linkin park) Everytime he lets out some lyrics my skin starts to tingle.. I think thats a good qualification for a great vocalist.

I love Cat Power's vocals. Sexiest voice in the business in my opion. Listen to her cover of The Velvet Underground's "I Found A Reason" for proof.

As far as guys go, I don't think anyone has a more honest voice then Jeff Tweedy. Hearing him sing "all my lies are always wishes" breaks my heart every time.

I would have to agree with those who put Bjork atop female vocalists.
As for the males, Thom Yorke would top my list. Liam Gallagher was always a favorite of mine as well.

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Originally posted by St. Ides Heaven:
I love Cat Power's vocals. Sexiest voice in the business in my opinion. Listen to her cover of The Velvet Underground's "I Found A Reason" for proof.

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I second that emotion. Also add Bilinda Butcher for me.

As far as the dudes, I currently like Ted Leo and Tunde Adebimpe from TV on the Radio.

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Originally posted by MattChesnut:
As far as the dudes, I currently like Ted Leo and Tunde Adebimpe from TV on the Radio.

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Tunde's voice is jaw-droppingly good. "Mr. Grieves," with him multi-tracked and re-multi-tracked, is heaven for me.

I'll go with Mike Patton and Bjork. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is the greatest vocalist of the 20th Century though.

I feel that I should also mention Maynard James Keenan as an amazing vocalist.

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Patton, Tunde, Bjork, Axl: all rad

Jason Lytle of Grandaddy is pretty awesome. He's got that high, awkward voice, but he can emote a bottomless melancholy like a motherfucker.

Magas from Lake of Dracula and Magas. He lets off yells that try to be angry, but can just barely hold in a hearty laugh. Technically, he's not great, but he's a very entertaining guy to listen to.

Nick Cave. I've only heard his Birthday Party stuff. The "crazy" "manic" schtick works a thousand times better when the voice you shout "FISH! SWIM! CRY! CRYYYYYYYY!" is as strong as his.

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Originally posted by philosopherEric:
Props to Member 27 for mentioning Axl Rose. I don't know how he can makes those screams without hurting himself. Umm...maybe that's why he can't perform live or put out records anymore?

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I remember reading somewhere that Axl often would ruin his vocal chords while on tour and have to cancel shows because of it.

I guess I shouldn't abuse my own thread, but Ebbot Lundberg from The Soundtrack of Our Lives both writes incredible lyrics and has an awesome set of pipes.

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Originally posted by Member 27

I remember reading somewhere that Axl often would ruin his vocal chords while on tour and have to cancel shows because of it.

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Yeah, that was his excuse. Maybe it was true. But other sources have said it was just his crutch for his lack of desire to perform on any given night. Riots in Toronto and St. Louis seem to attest to the fact that metal fans didn't give a sh*t what his reason was.

Freddie Mercury (Queen)
Paul Rodgers (Bad Company)
Liam Gallagher (Oasis)
Chris Cornell (Soundgarden, Audioslave)
Courtney Love (Hole) - not a beautiful voice, but it’s raw and real