50-26-Great Vocals
50. CRAZY ARMS (1956)
Vocalist: Ray Price / (Van Howard harmony)
Writer/Composer: Ralph Mooney / Charles Seals (1955)
Ray became enormously popular in the 1950s and this song made him a household name. Respected as one of the best voices in American Country music, this breakout hit launched a career that spanned over 50 years. His smooth, strong, baritone delivery, with a surprising touch of bravado, won fans over, opening up doors for many others, especially with the use of backup singers such as Van Howard’s high harmony in the chorus. This Country classic has endured and became one of the best Honky-Tonk, Jukebox classics…Simply Inspirational!
49. I DREAMED A DREAM “Les Miserables” (2009)
Vocalist: Susan Boyle
Writer/Composer: Claud Michel Schonberg / Alain Boublil (1985)
A musical event happened on Britain’s Got Talent in 2009. This Scottish middle-aged, unassuming lady took on this difficult song and took the world by storm! Perhaps introducing this number to a larger audience than ever before, even her idol, Elaine Paige, was amazed. It opened a career that has sold millions of albums. Many believe her unexpected debut is one of the greatest surprises in music competition history. Multitudes of great singers have performed this song, but Susan’s pitch, pacing and power is a joy to behold…Sensational!
48. WIDE OPEN SPACES (1998)
Vocalist: The Dixie Chicks (lead Natalie Maines)
Writer/Composer: Susan Gibson (1993)
The harmony says it all. These girls can really SING! These American multi-talented ladies play their own musical instruments, and their live concerts are sellouts, appealing to Country and Pop. Enormously popular from 1998 on, lead singer Natalie Maine’s catchy vocals are perfect for Country / Folk music, and their choice of material is ideal as they excel in female anthems of independence, attitude and even revenge. They embrace each song with open arms, and this one is without a doubt, one of their best…An enjoyable standout…Wow!
47. TOP OF THE WORLD (1973)
Vocalist: Carpenters (lead Karen Carpenter)
Writer/Composer: Richard Carpenter / John Bettis (1972)
Blessed with a rich 3-octave contralto voice, very few female American Pop stars could compare with her pure vocal clarity. An accomplished drummer in brother Richard’s band (he played keyboard's), they sang and produced some of the best Pop music of the 1970’s before her sad, untimely death at 32 years. Singing with confidence and assurance, her influence on other singers, male and female, is legendary. This wonderful upbeat selection exalts the joy, happiness and spirituality in true love. Their crystal-clear harmony here is…Absolutely Wonderful!
46. PIECE OF MY HEART (1968)
Vocalist: Big Brother & the Holding Company (Janis Joplin)
Writer/Composer: Bert Berns / Jerry Ragavoy (1968)
In an era in which males dominated Rock music, the late 1960s to early 70s, she was the only female to hold her own with her electrifying performances. Combining “Dem Kosmic Blues” with hardcore Rock was her gift to the masses—she became an overnight sensation with this raw, wild, blues-riddled performance. She sang with attitude, gusto, and defiance, and even though she died at 27 years, there has never been anyone before or after with her sound and wail. Not then known for her subtlety, her performance was Shocking, Jaw-dropping!
45. MY PRAYER (1956)
Vocalist: The Platters (lead Tony Williams)
Writer/Composer: George Boulanger / Jimmy Kennedy (1956)
The Platters, perhaps the most popular singing group of the 1950s and early 60s, chose brilliant material to record. With 4 males and a female, they set the standard for R&B, Soul, Pop and early Rock. Tony Williams, arguably one of the most gifted vocalists of the 20th century, sends this amazing vocal performance into the heavens with his soaring vocals. With power and passion, or with silky smooth delivery, he was a marvel. From the opening words, “When the twilight is gone, and no songbirds are singing,” he has us hooked…Spectacular!
44. ALBATROSS (1967)
Vocalist: Judy Collins (music - Joshua Rifkin)
Writer/Composer: Judy Collins (1967)
The soft sweetness of her voice allowed this American Folk singer to craft and sing beautiful melodies which covered Folk, Pop and even Broadway productions. This selection cut from her critically hailed Wildflowers album is a shining example of how combining her poetic, songwriting, and with Joshua Rifkin’s sublime music arrangements, firmly captivate our senses. She sings with great sensitivity, with flowing poignancy and crystal-clear expressions resulting in one of the most beautiful poetic vocals ever presented…Did I say Sublime?
43. MAN OF CONSTANT SORROW “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” (2000)
Vocalist: Soggy Bottom Boys (Dan Tymanski & friends)
Writer/Composer: Dick Burnett / Emery Arthur (1913 / 1926 / 2000)
Taken from the enormously popular movie and turning its soundtrack into one of the best-selling albums in modern times, this vocal selection is one of pure joy. Very few songs fill us with such delight. With great crystal-clear harmonies and reaching far back into the Great Depression with Country, Bluegrass and Folk roots, this hilarious but meaningful selection is sure to rouse exhilaration, mirth and infectious sing-along rhythm every time you hear it. Tyminski and friends really nail it, and it is a joy to behold!…“Whooee!”
42. IN DREAMS (2016)
Vocalist: Sissel Krykjebo
Writer/Composer: Roy Orbison (1963)
Since the early 1990s this Norwegian artist has become a touchstone by which to judge vocal beauty, hence, music critics drop their jaws in disbelief at the ease of her flowing delivery. Perhaps gifted with one of the most beautiful voices on planet Earth, she doesn’t just hit 4 octaves, she sings equally well in all four, seemingly without effort, not relying on vocal gymnastics. Crossing all genres, from Pop to Folk, from Operatic to Inspirational, she takes this Roy Orbison classic and takes it into the great beyond. Is she an angel in disguise? No, it’s just Sissel!
41. AT LAST “Sun Valley Serenade” (1961)
Vocalist: Etta James
Writer/Composer: Harry Warren / Mack Gordon (1941)
If a R&B / Soul / Blues singer ever owned a signature song, this is it! This multi-talented artist continues to grow in popularity with each passing generation. From the subtle love songs to hard-edged blues, she could knock it out of the park with her powerful, even abrasive delivery. Her versatility has only grown in appreciation in recent years and this Blues / Jazz sample is an absolute classic. Her unique style and delivery make you hang on to every syllable. What a song about discovering your only true love! What a feast for the ears—Superb!
https://youtu.be/DtR0HLpH-pw?si=ma0i9Awflr4r0Dql
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40. PLEDGING MY LOVE (1957)
Vocalist: Roy Hamilton (Vocal & Narration) Neil Hefti arranger
Writer/Composer: Ferdinand “Fats” Washington / Don D. Robey (1954)
R&B / Blues / Pop never sounded better than this tender romantic vocal ballad by Roy Hamilton. It was not a massive hit, its timing was obscured by the Rock and Roll domination of the 1956-1959 era. He was an extraordinary singer, trained in Gospel, surfaced musically singing classically and in the American songbook. Show covered show tunes and Pop, but could rock with the best of them. His enigmatic voice was superb, big, warm, powerful, yet sobbing. He personified Soul in his delivery, and only lived 40 years…Purely Unparalled!
39. HE STOPPED LOVING HER TODAY (1980)
Vocalist: George Jones
Writer/Composer: Bobby Braddock / Curley Putnam (1980)
He said he didn’t like this song when he recorded it, but this is a heartbreak song of a man who only stopped grieving the loss of the love because of…well, he DIED! It is still considered by many as the greatest country song of all time. This American Country singer had a 60-year career and his distinct baritone to tenor sound represent real Country, in every nuance, every emotion, every loss. Like it or not, it’s one of the saddest songs of all time, and he makes us feel it in every in every pore of our skin, in every note…A Shattering Country recording!
38. BLUE MOON “Words and Music” (1949)
Vocalist: Mel Torme
Writer/Composer: Richard Rodgers / Lorenz Hart (1947)
The “Velvet fog” is a master of many trades—singer, songwriter, composer, arranger, actor, and drummer, and one of the most respected Jazz artists of all time. The eloquent, smooth delivery of his impeccable voice and its mellow timbre make him one of the best entertainers of the century, and many believe his vocals are closer to the sound of a musical instrument than any of his male contemporaries. His rendition of this classic is ridiculously awe-inspiring and smoother than silk…Stunning in its Clarity!
37. SUITE: JUDY BLUE EYES (1969)
Vocalist: Crosby, Stills & Nash
Writer/Composer: Stephen Stills (for Judy Collins) 1969)
Very few Folk/Rock artists have ever captured perfect harmonies as well as CSN. This farewell to former girlfriend Judy Collins is an absolute delight in every musical sense. Their pitch-perfect harmony is stunning, exact and breath-taking in its precision in this remarkable classic. This is a suite in the since of being three songs in one, each one a remarkable surprise to the ears and our senses, and the supporting instrumental accompaniment is…well…relax and really LISTEN!… Truly unparalleled harmony…Mind-blowing…Stunning!
36. BRING HIM HOME “Les Miserables” (2010)
Vocalist: Alfie Boe
Writer/Composer: Claud Michel Schonberg / Alain Boublil (1985)
This beautiful prayer of Jean Valjean from “Les Miserables” has been sung and interpreted by numerous singers, from Pop to Operatic, but Boe’s London original cast performance here is a marvel indeed. His beautiful, soft and sensitive tenor voice is heartfelt, humble and most convincingly, touching. Some songs, if executed properly bring tears, not necessarily because of their sadness, but because of their sudden, unexpected beauty. And this is a perfect example his gift to the music world, Victor Hugo would be proud…Heart-wrenching and Amazing!
35. SPEAK LOW (1993)
Vocalist: Diane Schuur
Writer/Composer: Kurt Weill / Ogden Nash (1942)
Diane, or “Deedles,” is truly one of the great American interpreters of jazz standards, especially in the 1980s and 1990s. Like Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder, her blindness is not a handicap as her crystal clear, pure vocals clearly display. Her bold and expressive delivery radiates a quality of playfulness, passion and even convincing ownership in all her recordings. She is respected by all her contemporaries, and this song is living proof why. Just listen and study her pacing and tone here…You won’t be disappointed…Astonishingly Splendid!
34. AS TIME GOES BY “Casablanca” (1942)
Vocalist: Dooley Wilson
Writer/Composer: Herman Hupfield (1931)
Very few songs in the 20th century have been so identified with a romantic film as this one. This Jazz standard has manifested itself as either a relationship on the rocks, or as a wonderful memory that we wish we could relive. Regardless, Dooley’s soulful delivery stays with us long after listening, as it has throughout the years, a landmark and a permanent fixture in Jazz and Pop culture. As Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) said to Sam (Dooley Wilson), “Play it once, Sam. For old times’ sake.” …As one of the century’s most iconic moments, it’s Beyond Compare!
33. O FORTUNA “Carmina Burana” (1967)
Vocalist: Atlanta Symphony Orch. & Chorus (Robert Shaw conductor)
Writer/Composer: Carl Orff
This 24-movement cantata from composer Carl Orff has become an anthem for expectation connected to impending disaster. The extraordinary vocal chorus delivers this Classical piece in a step-by-step fashion toward a terrifying and ecstatic explosion. Translated from Medieval poems to modern Latin, the piece literally means O Fate, and it’s been used in multitudes of movies and major cultural events. Its rousing chorus remind us that we love great voices united in great numbers. Oh, but the beauty of its beginning and its inevitable crescendo is beyond description—truly an Exhilarating experience! Wow! Spectacular!
Link # 1 Original Music video from writer composer Carl Orff. Link # 2 Live performance conducted by Andrei Rieu and chorus.
32. VISIONS OF LOVE (1990)
Vocalist: Mariah Carey
Writer/Composer: Mariah Carey / Ben Margolies (1989)
This vocal performance introduced multi-talented Mariah to the world as a major player in Pop, R&B, and Soul music. Known for her 5-octave vocal range, she has become one of the most successful musical artists of all time, with nineteen number one singles from 1990 on. Some consider her the greatest female singer / songwriter of the last century. To many that’s debatable, but it cannot be denied, her voice becomes a unique musical instrument whenever she wants it to. Her diva status is often imitated but seldom equaled…Simply Stunning!
31. STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN (1971)
Vocalist: Led Zeppelin (lead Robert Plant)
Writer/Composer: Jimmy Page / Robert Plant (1971)
This Rock classic, acknowledged as English Rock band Led Zeppelin’s masterpiece, is led by Robert Plant’s signature high voice. He takes the song through three phases, starting with a mystical Mid-Eastern acoustic motif, then the electric composite, finally followed by an extraordinary guitar solo by Jimmy Page along with Plant’s searing vocals. Not a big charting hit in the 1970s, it has risen in popularity and is widely known as one of the most beloved and requested rock songs of all time...A Legendary, Jaw-dropping, Tour Di Force!
30. DON’T RAIN ON MY PARADE “Funny Girl” (1968)
Vocalist: Barbra Streisand
Writer/Composer: Jule Styne / Bob Merrill (1964)
This classic number, one of the greatest production numbers ever recorded, and filmed, could also serve as one of the first female music videos. As one of the most successful vocalists of the 20th century, her voice has been instantly recognized from the early 1960s on. She won the respect from a music industry that for years had been over-dominated by male performers. Multi-talented in every sense of the word, she sang, wrote songs, acted, and produced. She belts this showstopper right out of the park!…Absolutely Sensational!
29. PURPLE RAIN “Purple Rain” (1984)
Vocalist: Prince & the Revolution
Writer/Composer: Prince (Rogers Nelson) 1984)
One of the premier hitmakers of the 1980s and 90s, Prince’s output of his music compositions seemed endless—hundreds of his songs were never published. As a multi-talented musician / producer / songwriter, and exceptional guitar player, he soars into outer space here reaching a falsetto crescendo by the end as few singers ever could. Already listed by legions of fans as one of the greatest of R&B, Soul, Funk singers, the studio production of this song is astonishing, his delivery of this Rock / R & B classic is nothing short of a masterpiece…Astounding!
28. GEORGIA ON MY MIND (1960)
Vocalist: Ray Charles
Writer/Composer: Hoagy Carmichael / Stuart Gorrell (1930)
If SOUL is what you look for, you need not look further. His eloquent and aching voice, delivered with such a rich, unmistakable hoarseness, had enormous influence from the late 1950s on—on all Soul singers who followed. The singing career of this American singer/institution covers over a half century, covering Soul / R&B / Rock / Country Blues / Jazz and Gospel. His venture into Country Blues in the early 60s was a stroke of genius and his piano playing is remarkable. Looking back, it doesn’t matter if it’s about a girl, or a state…it’s a Natural Wonder!
27. BACAROLLE “Tales of Hoffman” (1991)
Vocalist: Montserrat Caballe / Shirley Verrett (New Philharmonic Orch. Anton Guadagno cond.)
Writer/Composer: Jacques Offenbach / completed by Jules Barber (1880)
This classical folk song, sung by a gondolier in Offenbach’s Opera, is beyond beautiful! With the orchestra almost whispering with emerging chirps and birdlike sounds, the emerging vocal performances here are a stunning example of a magnificent rhapsody with the blending voices of Caballe and Verrett. This is Montserrat’s second selection on our list. Check out the effect of this number when Guido’s wife discovers her husband may still be alive in the concentration camp in Life Is Beautiful. A Simply Captivating operatic experience!
26. AND SO IT GOES (1990)
Vocalist: Billy Joel
Writer/Composer: Billy Joel (1983)
Simply stated, Billy Joel is one of the superb singer / songwriters of the 20th century. He proves it here with a masterpiece of delivery and authorship. This could be one the best songs about heartbreak ever written, and he sings it with such sadness and pathos, that you feel it must be from real experience. His piano only serves to accent the pain caused from the loss of love. It’s touching nature seems to fill all with a sense of regret, wishing we could turn back time and relive, or relove, those nostalgic wonderful moments in a relationship. Poignant and beautiful, be warned—tears may flow. A Truly Stunning performance!
