Any one of the four vocalists of the Rankin family (one brother,Jimmy, and three sisters, Cookie, Heather and Raylene) all have vocal talents superior to anyone listed above. Raylene (one of the sisters) has recently passed away. Her talent was sublime.
Of course, their style of Cape Breton folk music may not be for everyone. I get that.
But it is beyond question that they can really, sing.
Dial up the song Tramp Miner on youtube. You will understand what I relate here.
Canadian bliss wrote:
Gordon Lightfoot? Andy Gibb?
Andy Gibb was born in the UK - not Canadian
Stompin' Tom for the win.
Neil, Joni, and Bruce Cockburn.
Based on album sales, Celine Dion and then Shania Twain are the top two. I don't really care for Dion though.
Lounge Act wrote:
This far into the thread and still no Celine Dion?
Exactly!
Guys, get stoned and listen to The Power of Love. You will feel euphoric, like you can do anything.
Greatest singer?
If you are talking voice alone, then Anne Murray was up there and Celine Dion...although not my choice, but if you want to get technical in what makes a great voice...Celine. There are others.
Personally on voice alone I would take KD Lang.
As an entertaining voice, I like Fred Turner from BTO.
Burton Cummings from The Guess Who.
Again in a technical sense MIchael Buble is very good.
Joni Mitchell is the most recognisable. She gets my favour because of her prowess as a brilliant songwriter and musician. Similarly to Bruce Cockburn, Chantal Kreviazuk, Gordon Lightfoot. And to a lesser degree, Nellie Furtado, the two guys from Barenaked Ladies. And like Mitchell, Paul Anka was a top-level songwriter, but he was like Buble, a crooner.
Alanis Morrisette is unique, but better as a songwriter than a singer. Like Jan Arden.
Now Neil Young is a great songwriter and a multi-instrumentalist, but on voice alone, he couldn't make it as a busker. Same could be said for a few other big names like Randy Backman, Gord Downie, Tom Cochrane, Colin James, Daniel Lanois, Margo Timmins, Emily Haines, Matthew Good, Jim Cuddy, Lights, Sam Roberts,
Diana Krall has her own voice. Great jazz pianist and strong voice. But if you want to talk jazz, then Holly Cole.
What about Rufus Wainright, Sarah McLachlan, Loreena McKennitt, Sarah Harmer, Jullie Black and Amanda Marshal.
Brian Adams' voice isn't good, but it is distinguished and popular....
I love listening to both Sarah McLachlan and Alanis Morrisette. Both have beautiful unique voices.
Dan Aykroyd
Mike Reno
Justin Bieber
Alanis Morrisette sounds like somebody is raping a cat.
Raine Maida
Jim Cuddy
Joni Mitchell, by far
Joni Mitchell, the Bjork of Canada. Yipping and barking etc.
Susan Aglukark is a better singer than Mitchell.
For me it's Joni Mitchell although that's more as an artist than pure singing ability. Same with Neil Young.
Didn't see Gino Vannelli's name mentioned and, considering some that were, I'd say he deserves a mention.
Bob and Doug McKenzie
I knewit wrote:
Joni Mitchell, the Bjork of Canada. Yipping and barking etc.
Susan Aglukark is a better singer than Mitchell.
Well, Joni Mitchell is on Rolling Stone's list of 100 greatest singers. She is also on their list of 100 greatest guitarists.
miles of trials of aisles wrote:
I knewit wrote:Joni Mitchell, the Bjork of Canada. Yipping and barking etc.
Susan Aglukark is a better singer than Mitchell.
Well, Joni Mitchell is on Rolling Stone's list of 100 greatest singers. She is also on their list of 100 greatest guitarists.
And they have that crap song by that black lady in top 10 - it is crap rag