The Smiley Smile Message Board

Here is a rare document of my favourite singer ever, the falsetto tenor "Highpockets" William Langford, best known for his alas too short period as a founding member of the Golden Gate Quartet. William is the crazy falsetto which seems always about to morph into a trumpet or a train call:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lD3bZZ4xjtI

And, speaking of voice trumpets and train calls, here is William with the Goldens:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vj0SuysaPWw

In the following video there is a photo of the early Goldens. From left to right: Henry Owens lead tenor, Orlandus Wilson bass, Willie Johnson baritone and narratives, "Highpockets" falsetto tenor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRSDzqFJnp8

I thought this sound was familiar----Paul Simon sampled the Goldens in "Love And Blessings":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G80jElyTv14

Gospel is an area that has largely passed me by but some of what I have heard can really rock the joint! 

Imho the level of vocal creativity in those '30-'40s groups is unparalleled.

I love Enrique iglesias ,awesome singer .

My favorite singer is some chap named Brian Douglas Wilson...

Brian is my Number One in another category: overall musician.
As a singer, pristine Brian ranks among my first 5 pop/rock singers, but immediately behind Carl. :)

Id be hard pressed to pick a favorite.  Freddie Mercury and Bruce Dickinson are high on the list.  I like Roger Daltrey and Paul Rodgers alot.  John Lennon, John Fogerty, and young Brian Wilson are on the list, as is David Gilmour.

Favorite might be Ronnie James Dio.

Great to see Paul Rodgers mentioned. Free's best work is unbeatable and his voice was so important to that band.

Another fantastic UK singer who regrettably has sunk into relative obscurity is Chris Farlowe. I used to own "The Fool" back in the '60s:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UspwsWU_iQ8

I couldn't pick one, but some of them would be:

 - Brian Wilson into the early/mid 70s
 - John Lennon in the latter half of the Beatles
 - Paul Simon
 - Aretha Franklin
 - Freddie Mercury
 - Prince
 - Harry Nilsson into the early '70s
 - Jeff Hanson (an indie singer-songwriter from this area who unfortunately passed a few years ago, but look him up, especially "This Time It Will")

Brian
Carl
Freddie Mercury
Sam Cooke
Little Richard
Aretha Franklin
Marvin Gaye
Bruce Springsteen
Liam Gallagher
John Lennon
Janis Joplin
Brittany Howard (Alabama Shakes)

It's a tricky topic because a lot of my favorite singers (especially the rock/pop ones) don't necessarily have good voices in the traditional sense. It's more about how they use it to convey a feeling with it. Beth Gibbons from Portishead has no range at all, but she could the phonebook and I would still get chills. Is she a good singer? Or just a personal favorite.

Since the title of the thread refers to favourites, I think it doesn't matter whether the singers we list are technically good singers or not :) Nice to see Liam Gallagher appear on the list!

I'd have to say... (in no particular order)

Brian Wilson 1962-1973
Morrissey
Annie Lennox
Freddie Mercury
Michael Stipe
David Bowie (Wild is the Wind, just holy shiat)
Gord Downie
Emily Haines
Gary Louris
Elvis Costello

and yeah I'll say Liam Gallagher, too!

Yeah, Liam is probably my favorite rock singer and frontman. His voice makes me feel alive and full of confidence. Even if the material is not that inspired he elevates it to incredible heights. And seeing him on stage is so intimidating (on video, I've never seen him live) because he doesn't have to leap across the stage to catch my attention. He literally doesn't move at all but the sheer power in his voice is enough.

Also forgot to mention Art Garfunkel, Jeff Mangum and Frank Black of the Pixies.

I mean, just watch this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4i6jtsCpImo

I was thinking that and failed to mention him as well. His intensity in particular is just enthralling.

Stevie Nicks! As if I forgot Stevie.

Liam is the same live as he is in recorded format. That was one of the astounding things about Oasis on stage... they managed to reproduce their recorded sound so perfectly. I saw them just once, at Maple Leaf Gardens in 2000. I couldn't believe just how "true" they sounded to themselves. You didn't go see Oasis for their on-stage interactivity level or interpersonal skills, that's for sure, LOL! But yeah, Liam's voice just sort of hit me like a bus and drove right through me.

Nice, sounds like quite the experience. D'you think they'll eventually reunite?

Man, that would be so rad if they did. I'd go see the sh*t out of that. Unfortunately, I think the Brothers Gallagher have both rather publicly stated that it's not likely to happen (in more abusive and profane words than that, LOL!) Never say never though, I suppose!

If you haven't already, and  if you're in need of an Oasis fix, check out the new doc "Supersonic". A really cool look at their formative years leading up to their wavecrest, told in their own voices and of course, with the music. I sang along to the whole thing and then watched it again and sang along to the whole thing. Super fun.

Yeah, I've only heard good things about Supersonic. Need to check it out.

Is this chap kin to Julian Iglesias? Fun BBs fact: he sang with BBs in the 80s. Check youtube, there must be videos.

You're totally right.

Al Jardine, Brian Wilson, Charles Manson, Terry Adams, Connie Smith, Karen Carpenter, Randy Travis, Joey Spampinato, Zooey Deschanel, Frankie Valli, Gerry Marsden, Peter Noone & few.

A most remarkable voice in my opinion is that of the S.O.S. Band's Mary Davis:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aX0wGKIgSZU

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_S.O.S._Band

My favorites:
Freddie Mercury
Paul McCartney
Fred Schneider (Just for the uniqueness)
Carl Wilson
Sting
Gilbert O' Sullivan
Elvis (Beginning until Suspicious Minds)
Janet Jackson
Lou Christie
Jay Black

The list goes on and on.

This is good pick. "Clair" is beautiful song he's written & sings it wonderfully.

I always thought 'Nothing Rhymed' was one of the most underrated songs of that period by anyone.

tons

Elvis, Elvis, Elvis....and I don't mean Abbott's partner.  Could sing several styles of music incredibly well and with great emotional impact.  Still the King....

I can't really come up with a short list of favorite singers, but I am surprised, after looking at those listed, that no one said Robin Gibb. His voice and his use of it was truly unique and unforgettable. RIP.

Yes, best singer in the band, the others being basically Barry's voice's variations, including Andy.

Yes, a vibrato that never seems forced. It was unfortunate when the group used it less when Barry's falsetto came to the fore. IMO, it was good i n moderation,  but a bit overused. While I'm not really as familiar with Andy's voice (and so probably would not find it remarkable with another listen), I would suggest that Barry was also a really good singer, especially when in his comfortable baritone range. Maurice  was no slouch, either, but was usually relegated to harmonies (which, BB fans, we realize is of value). Give a listen here to a Mo lead: 

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

My favorote live BG performance making the most of everyone's gifts follow. Note how Mo actually does the falsettos here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2SDf42guB4

Lovely rendition. Wow. It's so smooth!

RIP Robin, Maurice and Andy.

This is my favourite Bee Gees song. I couldn't believe my ears when I first heard it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfL0V0rVIeY

Oh, oh, yes. Barry's voice actually got better and better, IMO, as the years went by, more full. This song also is an example of the  deceptively simple-sounding  lyrics of many BG songs that nail the sentiment of the song and make the listener do a double-take.

Oh, regarding  Mo's voice, it was really smooth and had a richness to it that is unexpected. Perfect in the BG blend, but I would have liked to have heard more leads by him. Not as exciting, perhaps, as his brother's vox, but quite good. I have recently developed a much greater appreciation for the Brothers Gibb. They really had a unique style in terms of the music, lyrics, vocals.
Their disco era  product, although mostly more soul/R&B, I think was tainted in the minds of many because it was so associated with the disco  genre. and therefore not judged strictly on its own merits.