Your Top Three Most Soulful Singers Of All Times?
- Thread starter 8SD8-retired_member
- Start date
C'mon bruh, listing the top 3 just ain't enuff.
The 'talent pool' in this category is too big.
Here's my Top 25 list.
(In no particular order)
1. James Brown
2. Patti Labelle
3. Aretha Franklin
4. Stevie Wonder
5. Luther Vandross
6. Minnie Ripperton
7. Soul II Soul
8. Marvin Gaye
9. Otis Cooke
10. Isaac Hayes
11. Sade
12. Maze / Frankie Beverly
13. Hall & Oates
14. Chaka Khan
15. Tina Turner
16. Gladys Knight
17. Teena Marie
18. Teddy Pendergrass
19. Barry White
20. Whitney Houston
21. The Jacksons
22. Michael McDonald
23. Mary J. Blige
24. The O'Jays
25. Anita Baker
Most of those artists weren''t "soul" singers. Most are R&B or R&B/POP.
mavis staples
rufus thomas
sugarfoot (ohio players)
rufus thomas
sugarfoot (ohio players)
Sam Cooke
Aretha Franklin
David Ruffin
No one equaled these singers during their prime.
Sam was incredible even back when he was singing gospel music with the Soul Stirrers. Sam's recordings left such a mark even today people know the lyrics to his songs when they hear his recordings.
Aretha also with a religious background was incredible even before she went to Atlantic Records. Aretha's Columbia recordings IMO are more valuable than her Atlantic recordings. Mainly because of the pureness of her voice and the music from that era.
David as he claimed made the Temptations, to a degree he was right. The rawness of David's voice along with the smoothest background harmonies by the rest of the group made the Temptations the best of all the male groups of the 60s.
Aretha Franklin
David Ruffin
No one equaled these singers during their prime.
Sam was incredible even back when he was singing gospel music with the Soul Stirrers. Sam's recordings left such a mark even today people know the lyrics to his songs when they hear his recordings.
Aretha also with a religious background was incredible even before she went to Atlantic Records. Aretha's Columbia recordings IMO are more valuable than her Atlantic recordings. Mainly because of the pureness of her voice and the music from that era.
David as he claimed made the Temptations, to a degree he was right. The rawness of David's voice along with the smoothest background harmonies by the rest of the group made the Temptations the best of all the male groups of the 60s.
Linda Jones. Aretha Franklin and all the great female soul singers will tell you Linda was the COLDEST. People bite so much from Linda it's crazy.
Most of those artists weren''t "soul" singers. Most are R&B or R&B/POP.
Shut the hell up.
Any artist I listed that you consider to be R&B or R&B/Pop... probably started in, or became famous for SOUL MUSIC... before they 'crossed over'... at a later point in their career.
Google this shit. Check the facts.
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1. James Brown (The "GODFATHER" of Soul. Ask Around.)
2. Patti Labelle ("Lady Marmalade" - Soul Music Icon. Ask Around.)
3. Aretha Franklin (The "QUEEN" of Soul. Ask Around.)
4. Stevie Wonder (Motown's KING of Soul. Ask Around.)
5. Luther Vandross (Soul Music Icon. Ask Around.)
6. Minnie Ripperton (Soul Music Legend. Ask Around.)
7. Soul II Soul (British. Soul. Music. Heavyweights. Ask Around.)
8. Marvin Gaye (Soul Music Legend. Ask Around.)
9. Otis Cooke (Soul Music Legend. Ask Around.)
10. Isaac Hayes (Soul Music Legend. Ask the creators of South Park.)
11. Sade (The. Most. Successful. Female. Solo. British. Soul. Artist. EVER.)
12. Maze / Frankie Beverly (Legendary Soul/Funk Band. Ask Around.)
13. Hall & Oates (Officially Known as a "Rock & Soul" Act. Ask Around.)
14. Chaka Khan (Disco & Soul Music Icon. Ask Around.)
15. Tina Turner (Gospel and Soul Music Legend who "crossed over" to Rock & Pop. Ask Ike Turner why.)
16. Gladys Knight (Soul Music Legend. Ask The Pips.)
17. Teena Marie (officially known as The 'Ivory' Queen of Soul. Ask around.)
18. Teddy Pendergrass (Soul Music Legend. Ask around.)
19. Barry White (Soul Music Icon. Ask around.)
20. Whitney Houston (Gospel & Soul Music Legend who "crossed over" into Rock & Pop)
21. The Jacksons (Soul Music Icons who "crossed over" into Pop Music)
22. Michael McDonald (officially known as the "Blue-eyed Soul Singer" of the Doobie Brothers. Ask James Ingram why.)
23. Mary J. Blige (officially known as "The Queen of Hip-Hop and Soul". Ask around.)
24. The O'Jays (Soul Music Icons. Ask around.)
25. Anita Baker (Legendary Soul / Jazz Singer. Ask Around.)
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There are many 'sub-genres' of Soul Music.
Just like there are many 'sub-genres' of modern Rock Music.
Grunge Rock... is still Rock Music.
Alternative Rock... is still Rock Music.
Heavy-Metal... is still Rock Music.
British Soul... is still Soul Music.
Rock and Soul... is still Soul Music.
Gospel Soul.. is still Soul Music.
Hip-Hop Soul... is still Soul Music.
Thus ends your Music lesson for today.
Now begone.
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As incredible as Linda Jones was there were others like Laura Lee (very underrated) who also was soulful. I didn't give Linda the nod because she was with us for such a short time before she passed. But Linda is one of my favorites.
Very true, but her influence is undeniable. It's so many raw soul singers it's hard to pick.