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Gladys Knight performs at Universal Amphitheatre on February 7, 2004 in Universal City, California. … [+] (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)
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There is a difference between a great technical voice and a truthful voice. You may love Whitney Houston, who famously has one of the most acclaimed voices in music. But when you hear Gladys Knight sing, “Ooh, for some ungodly reason/We just won’t let it down” in “Neither One of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye)” you feel every word. Because you know Knight believes every word she sings. There’s a drama, a passion, in every note that only comes from having experienced every feeling in the song.
Often times there is an overlap between the best technical singers and the vocalists who sway us with the truth. But just as often there is a strong difference because if you’re a Tom Waits or Patti Smith, who doesn’t have a conventional great voice, being able to make you believe and feel their emotion is the best way to reach listeners.
Then there are those like Knight and Chris Cornell who excel in every vocal trait, technically, honesty. To me personally I gravitate to sincerity in music and these are seven of the vocalists who notably bring that in everything they sing. These are not the only seven or best seven but after three decades of interviewing the best singers in the world, these are my favorites.
Gladys Knight
To me, at this point, Gladys Knight is the benchmark for all vocalists. Just listen to the beginning of “If I Were Your Woman.” From the conviction in her voice when she cries out, “If you had the strength to walk out that door/My love would overrule my sense and I’d call you back for more,” you know you’re not getting out that door. She does it in every song – breakup song, love song, hymn, doesn’t matter. There is this amazing clip where she and The Pips sing the 1975 Grammy Song of the Year nominees while presenting the award, proving Knight can indeed sing anything.
Chris Cornell
For my money, Cornell is the benchmark for all male and rock vocalists. Why? Name me another singer anywhere who can cover “I Will Always Love You” and “War Pigs.” There isn’t one. And he does every song with the sincerity and passion to make you smile, to make you mosh, to make you cry, to make you feel every word. Simply the greatest vocalist there is.
Jeff Buckley
“Hallelujah.” That’s all that needs to be said. His live version from Live at Sin-e is a reverent prayer, as spiritual, sensual and truthful as any song will ever hear. And then the agony in his voice as he bids farewell to a lover in “Last Goodbye” is mesmerizing. Buckley had the talent to become one of the all-time greats.
Fiona Apple
Apple is another artist who can literally sing anything, from country to doo wop. And no artist makes you feel her experience more than the amazing Apple. Her cover of Elvis Costello’s “I Want You” might be the single greatest vocal performance I have ever seen. Trust me, you will never forget it.
Nina Simone
Come on. No artist ever lived their vocals than the great Nina Simone. Whether it was the opening a capella of “Feeling Good,” the mesmerizing “I Put A Spell On You” or her mix of passion and restraint on The Animals classic “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood,” Simone’s vocals oozed truth.
Tom Waits
One of the most acclaimed songwriters in all of music, Waits is not given nearly enough credit as a vocalist because his gravelly voice is not for everyone. But, as I mentioned in the intro that is exactly why Waits vocals are so believable. He can only reach you with the truth, like the end of the war ballad, “Ruby’s Arms.” You will feel every word to your bones.
Sage Bava
Like so many of the other vocalists on this list Bava has an extraordinary range. But that is not what gets her on this list. It’s that when she barks the blues on Melody Gardot’s “Preacherman” she makes you feel every ounce of her passion and anger just as convincingly as she makes you fall in love with her when she serenades you with her cover of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” made famous by Frankie Valli. Whether it’s blues, jazz, soul, even a touch of reggae she does on a cover of Bob Marley’s “Is This Love,” Bava sings with the passion and fire of someone who demands you feel every word.
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