Artistical Fantasticalness Abounds!

Helloooo, Music Lovers!!!

This week, I was thinking about some of my favorite musical artists. This isn't a real hard list to compile. Pretty much, it's what's NOT on the list: What won't you find here? Hard rock, rap, hip-hop, jazz, heavy-metal, christian hard rock, most country, and pretty much anything that involves noise or chaos. :D I actually do have a soft spot for country, but only some. Unless it can impress me with a unique topic or pull me in with some comedy and grit, it's the same song, sung by a million different artists. But still the same song.

But, this is a compiling of talent, not necessary genre.
So what do we have? Well, here is a rundown of my most favorite artists that possess unique talent and artistic ability! Also I don't have a real thorough knowledge of older artists, so most of these will be relatively current. These are mostly singular artists as opposed to bands or groups, like Celtic Thunder, The Afters, II Divo, The Canadian Tenors, etc. I also have included singers that are sometimes underrated, such as #2.5 and #3. I have organized them and critiqued them for personality, stage presence, character, technique, versatility, and talent, not so much their music:


13. Whitney Houston- This might seem a strange choice, but, while I'm not a fan of her music, Houston possesses a very sweet, strong, and memorable voice, one that has been attempted to imitate many times, most failures. Her impressive fluctuation and range are to be admired, having achieved what most singers can only imagine. She is the African-American version of Celine Dion. (I Will Always Love You)
 
12. Josh Turner- Yes, a country singer, but, as I said, I only remember the Country that impresses me with the first words. And Josh Turner is nothing if not impressive. His extreme baritone is classically country, and possibly one of the deepest voices ever to be heard in music. Gentle and rolling, his brings listeners into his realm and you can feel his rich notes caressing through you as he sings them. He makes his mark, and makes the least simply for being unforgettable once heard. (Would You Go With Me)

11.  Olivia Newton-John- the 70's and 80's singer that teenage males couldn't get over, Newton-John is not immensely popular, but her technique and balance between sweet, girl-in-love tones, to rich, moving vibrato while still keeping the sweet, high notes in style was an impressive feat. She is best remembered for the popular 1978 musical, Grease, (Think High School Musical- '50's version) and it is from there that one of the best examples of her talent may be heard. (Hopelessly Devoted to You)

10. Taylor Swift- Swift gets on this list not for her song content- most of them are emotionally driven, love songs, and can be repetitive- however, she does have a unique, country voice, and can do country, and pop equally well. Her inflection is superb, and her voice has surprising range, giving her what she needs to pull over the country as well as the fast, high hitting pop that she has become more well known for. She can touch enough vibrato to give her a sweet tone, but also can inflict much emotion into her song. Vindictiveness, infatuation, love, platonic love, friendship, revenge, and longing. Diverse, and yet predictable, Swift has brought somewhat of a freshness to country and has since moved more into the pop realm. (Fearless; If This Was a Movie)

9. Elvis Presley- Not a rock fan, but Elvis wasn't the king of rock n' roll for nothing. He voice was rich and powerful, and extremely versatile, touching high and low and nearly every genre imaginable. Gravelly and grainy for his jazz and rock, while rich and powerful like velvet and honey for his Christmas album. He could alter his voice impressively, and this is part of what made him so memorable. Elvis partially stole this list with his version of "If Only Every Day was Just Like Christmas". I will never forget the winter night I heard that on the radio. It was so beautiful and warm and rich, like if you could actually listen to hot chocolate, snow, and velvet. While I'm not into Elvis, his Christmas album is one of the best ever made(1957), and held the record for the longest, bestselling album at the #1 spot for exactly 50 years, until it was beaten by the number 1 artist on this list. (If Every Day Was Just Like Christmas)

8. Scotty McCreery- The 2011 American Idol Winner, this 18 year old southern boy was the clear favorite all through the season. American Idol is generally pretty overrated, but in this case, this winner deserved all he got. He was only 16 when he auditioned, and he has the voice of a 50 year old country singer. Almost like Josh Turner, McCreery's southern drawl and deep, country baritone voice is powerful and lilting. He makes this list because of sheer talent. So many young singers these days are overrated but in this case, McCreery has an impressive gift. If you're looking for a jawdropper as far as talent and age go, listen to the 17 year old's I Love You This Big.

7. Andrea Bocelli - The blind opera singer's incredibly powerful ballads and alluring tones lend him the classical power he needs to pull off songs that would be otherwise underscored by anyone of less talent and prestige. Gentle and distinguished, Bocelli epitomizes the classical Italian singer.His duets, which he does often with other classical singers, are done equally as well. Bocelli brings an air of refinement to his music. If one is looking for a modern, purely classical singer, Bocelli will not disappoint. (Caro Gesu Bambino)

6. Charlotte Church- Ever since 1998, Voice of an Angel has defined this diva, and perhaps the title is not altogether untrue. Church's voice is impressive in it's sheer sweetness, as well as power. From this welsh opera diva comes the height of what opera was meant to be- rich, lovely, and sweet. Church truly "sings it out" and the mellifluous tones of her voice weave through sweet, extensive melodies. She brings a wholly innocent, yet powerful, feel to her music, which mostly consists of classical, and foreign language, although she has sung a bit of pop/classical as well. Her hymnals are angelic, and her rendition of Lloyd Webber's, "Pie Jesu" at the tender age of 12 must be heard to be believed. (Danny Boy, The Prayer)

5. Michael Bublé- The modern day Frank Sinatra. Seriously. He sounds very similar to Sinatra, perhaps a bit younger, and thankfully, a bit more rounded out and less worldly. Jazz really isn't really the thing right now, but as far as jazz singers go, Bublé is the best out there right now, and possibly one of the best that's ever been.  Admittedly, I'm not a real fan of jazz, (nor of Sinatra)  but sometimes, the reason we don't like something, it's just because we haven't heard anyone sing it well. While I'm still not a fan of jazz, Michael Bublé is one of the most spectacular jazz singers I've ever heard. He has an earthy, husky voice, perfect for jazz, and is very pleasant, mellow and mild, much like his predecessor, Michael Ball. Bublé is much like Groban, in that he was a young boy with a talent, relatively unknown and was discovered, like Groban, by David Foster, and got his start in music by signing a contract with Reprise Records. I would like to see a bit more versatility with him, but all in all, he's done very well. Not to mention his Christmas record was the warmest thing since spiced gingerbread. (Save the Last Dance for Me)

4. Michael Ball- Beating out Michael Bublé by sheer legend and versatility, Ball has done many genres, and although it may seem his deep, husky voice may be best suited to jazz, he possess a rich baritone that allows him a variety of music that suits him well. Opera, and stage is not far from him either, as he has landed roles in his younger days as Raoul in Phantom of the Opera, and as Marius in Les Miserables, as well as many other stage performances. Ball's style is rich and deep, and often intimate, his powerful tones vibrating in your head long after the song has ended. While a baritone, he can touch notes that leave a ringing behind him, and while he can be sweetly soft, the deep, subtle impressions of power are not lost on listeners. (Empty Chairs at Empty Tables; As Long As There's Christmas)

3. Ramin Karimloo- Hmm.... Ramin, Ramin, what do I say? Karimloo is a vastly underrated singer in the musical world. The one word that explains him is Flame. His spot on this list is well-deserved, not only for his talent and expertise, but his versatility in voice, as well as roles. He is not a well-known name in the musical arena, but has gained an impressive name in the realm of theatre. He is best known for his role as The Phantom, whom he has performed on stage in London, Broadway, and the West End for several years. This year was his last as the man behind the mask, But unlike many of his predecessors, Karimloo brought a dark intensity to the role that has not been emulated before or since, perhaps not even by Michael Crawford, the first Phantom, who perhaps is only remembered because he was the first. Karimloo, though young (in his 20's when he first took up the Phantom for the 1st time) had an inner passion that burst forth in his music and his acting. His voice in incredibly versatile and unique, having a pitch-perfect brass quality to it, especially when hitting long, higher notes, and he can move with surprising ease between harsh, gravelly tones to rich, smooth vibrato. His transfer from the overtures of "Music of the Night" to the dark, gravelly, sensual, rock n' roll, harsh fire of "The Beauty Underneath" define him perfectly. His tones ranges from operatic to sweet soft, but always contain a hidden intensity, reminiscent of the character he has played for so long. Friendly and warm, he is a fiery singer, and the emotional depth that comes forth in his song is powerful and moving. His pure intensity is striking and it is this that makes him purely unforgettable. ('Till I Hear You Sing)

2.5 (Yes, it's 2.5 because I can do that. :P)
Gerard Butler - Gerard Bu- what the Heck?! Yes, I can hear you. Why in the bloody name of all Gerard's bloody movies did I put him at #2 in a singer's list? Well, one reason and one reason only.
Gerard, you make this spot because for being the husky, hunky, gruesome, loud-mouthed, gritty, bloody, machine-gun wielding hit-man of the big screen, you managed to somehow land the role of one of the most famous character's in theatre, (how you did it, I have no idea) and not only land the role, but then sing some of the most famous pieces in musical and theatre history, having no previous training at all, and sounding more than decent, plus, playing the character as he was meant to be, making a legendary man seem even more human by adding a touch- just a touch- of yourself as well, dark, passionate, and gritty, yet somehow keeping him refined and distinguished, yet oh, so fearsome, is a feat that is massively underrated and deserves far more notice.
Plus, even though I already mentioned it, your superb rendition of the Phantom coupled with the husky, mellow, passionate, classical, barely held-back tones of "Music of the Night", along with an equally rocky, spectacular version of "Phantom of the Opera", and the passionate, disturbing, and darkly sexy tones of "Past the Point of No Return" are to be highly commended. And you haven't done it since. It like your magnum opus. The brilliant flame in the midst of all your dark films. It's not what you did, it's how you went form what you were known for, to that and could sound quite fantastic... without ever having any training. (Music of the Night)

2. Celine Dion- If you want beauty, talent, versatility, glamor, class, and an unforgettable voice, try this Canadian born singer on for a size. With her ever-present smooth, luxurous tones, silky notes, woven in watery melodies and sizzling themes- mostly of love- she draws listeners in with her light french accent. Her pure class is the most attractive element, and it is that, as well as the glamorous, and dazzlingly inimitable tones that she has come to be known for. For you, Celine, our Heart does Go On. (Falling Into You, Beauty and the Beast)

1. and... for the number one spot, it was surprisingly a more difficult choice than I previously anticipated. In between rich ballads, genre-less music, and sheer out-of-the-box persona, his music has been categorized as everything from easy listening, to world/folk, pop, classical pop, crossover classical, contemporary opera, Spiritual, "popera", all true, and yet not one of them defining. None of them encompasses what this man possesses and delivers. His voice can be equally boyish and sweet, and well baritone and deeply gentle. Intensely intimate, and also mildly mellow, but always beautiful, he has made a name for himself by defining his music by who he is.  He will not be remembered by his music, but his music will be remembered by who he was. Always seeking to connect with the audience, and yet telling his stories through his music in ways that listeners can always relate to, he achieves both by reaching the goal he himself expressed in hope early on. "Honest, and always real". My personal preference, an extraordinary reservoir of variety and talent, but probably what put this artist at the number one spot wasn't his talent singularly, but his charisma, character, and the immense amount of respect that he commands from his presence alone. He shares a trust with his audience that is personal, a level of trust I have yet to witness anywhere else. He has never taken his celebrity seriously, exuding a humility that is always boyish and charming. The most down-to-earth, human celebrity you will ever meet...

Josh Groban.

So, if you are hard-pressed for some true, quality music, these should give you a start. And the song of the week?
"Thankful" from Josh Groban's Christmas Album, "Nöel". Perfectly fitting, and very beautiful.

However, whatever your musical preferences, always remember, beauty is out there! We just have to look a little farther to see it!

~Knight Ranger :)