Best. Voice. Ever.

[Deleted]

I love Jeff Buckly, but if you ever listen to him live, his voice cracks and he goes off key at times.

George Michael has a great voice. If you listen to him on unplugged, he is clear as a bell. Also, Freddy Mercury.

[duskwolf]

It's all about Tracy Chapman for me. There's just this subdued grace about the way she sings. It gets me every time.

Plus, she did the best version of O Holy Night I've ever heard.

[soul]

I agree Nina Simone takes you to another zone, so there would be no housework done on her music.

Tweethas a good sound. She is not at Simone's level, but she has her own vibe. If Nina takes you to another zone, Tweet takes you to the doorstep of sexual impropriety.

[Deleted]

Steve Winwood. I find it unbelievable that he was only seventeen years old when the Spencer Davis Group did Gimme Some Lovin'. Great voice.

ITA, about Jeff Buckley.

[dwanollah]

Plus, she did the best version of O Holy Night I've ever heard.

Damn right! That song gets sooooo overdone by Vocal Aerobicists. Hers was stunning.

My votes? Karen Carpenter. Freddy Mercury. k.d. lang. Billie Holliday. Leonard Cohen. And the combined efforts of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel.

[tommytimp]

Ladies and gentlemen, Miss Ella Fitzgerald.

The rest of the pop singers can go home. Thanks for your time. Get some Ella records on the way home.

And if you like your singers alive, may I present Miss Barbara Cook.

[Mouse]

Folkies are underrepresented here, so let me suggest the three queens of British folk:

Sandy Denny, Fairport Convention (RIP)
Jacqui McShee, Pentangle
and my favorite, Maddy Prior, Steeleye Span

[kostgard]

I agree on Neko Case, k.d. Lang, and Simon & Garfunkel (together) - love their voices.

Dead people - I also agree with Freddie Mercury, Karen Carpenter, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holliday.

I would also add Alison Krauss - her voice is just lovely and clear as a bell. Strangely, I can't stand her speaking voice, but I could listen to her sing all day.

[tommytimp]

OK. I'll give you Allison Krauss. She rocks the hauss.

[Alexis Machine]

Fiona Apple, especially on 'When the pawn...'

Kurt Cobain on 'Unplugged in New York', especially the songs "About a Girl', 'Polly", and 'On a Plain'.

Chris Cornell's solo album.