May 152009

Old School Friday: G.O.A.T

Old School Friday Add comments

Happy Old School Friday! The theme today is G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time). Hmmm, hard one…

OK, here’s my choice for greatest singer of all time, male. First, when I went and googled “great male r&b singers” the choices were atrocious. Usher, Chris Brown…Omarion. OMARION?!? WTF!?

When they can sing like this, and make your soul melt when they hit that first note, and take you through the highs and lows of a song, and leave you feeling breathless when the song is through, then you tell Chris and Usher and Omarion that I’ll start listening to them…Omarion…please!

video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on July 2, 2008 by AAu99

Now, for the females. I thought it only fair to google them too. Sad…Beyonce, Rihanna, Alicia Keys? Where is the history? Do these people not know about this woman?

video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on June 22, 2007 by Solita2117
Updated: I had Ms. Patti up here first, but changed my mind…and it seems like I’m suffering from a little “can’t make up my mind” on the Whitney song…I changed that too…whatever.

Peace and blessings…

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Posted by Marva at 12:01 AM Tagged with:
  • What's this? I'm first. :-) You picked two of the best ever. Patti was here recently and I didn't get to go. :-(

    BTW, Marva, please drop by and leave titles of some of your favorite African American children's books. I'm now the Nat'l African American Books Examiner. If you don't want to leave them there, then send at Twitter.

    Here's the link where others have left their favorites, link.
  • Wilfredo
    Luther was great, I'll give you that. I remember that when he first went solo, and a very young Wilfredo was working at a record store in Rock Plaza, women used to swoon over the chubby Luther (btw, that's when I liked him best), so I won't argue that. But I will go for the typical guy criteria: Like who do you want to sing?
    There's Johnny Hartman (My One and Only Love, w. John Coltrane).
    David Bowie:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90u1IV4dw8o
    (Crazy) Scott Walker:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37B-ZVj4l8w&feat...
    Bryan Ferry(?):
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTkqV762jJI
    Teddy P. (you know, just about anything up to the early '80s)
    Marvin Gaye (enuff said)
    The point is that us guys think that the greatest male singers is those that we want to imitate.
    Now with the women is those that WE want to hear sing to us. You now know my love for Nina. My absolute favorite is Billie Holiday. You know the distinction: one is strong, the other vulnerable.
    Marva, I do hope that I didn't go on too long, but I'm very passionate about music, and I don't care who knows it.
    I hope you enjoy the songs that I sent you.
  • Love it! I've always loved David Bowie...there was something carnal and dangerous about him that was very attractive...

    Thank you for the music...I always appreciate it!
  • Luther's voice was like buttah! I miss him.
  • My first OSF that I'm participating in! Yay!
  • pjazzypar
    I expect to see a lot of Luther today! Good picks and Happy OSF!
  • PPR_Scribe
    There is just something magical about Luther's voice. I don't know--so many layers, so smooth... Plus his choices in songs and songwriters was perfection. So I heartily agree with your choice for greatest male vocalist. (At least of our generation. I am partial to Nat King Cole's voice for similar reasons so can't go w/Luther for the "all time" award.)

    Happy OSF everyone!
  • Wilfredo
    @PPR - What the hell was I thinking? Nat! Damn, Nature Boy always manages to put a lump in my throat! This thread is fertile with provocation!
    Okay, then, Jeff Buckley:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aynb-9dKMl8

    Marva, I hope you don't mind this. But the thread is fun.
  • You know, it's really a shame what's happened to Whitney, 'cause in her day..? That woman had a simply remarkable voice. Absolutely beautiful.

    As for Luther, that man's pipes are all anyone needs to hear.

    Great choices!
  • This was much to difficult for me, hence I did it quite late. The meaning of great changes with the day for me. lol
  • It's a toss up between Luther and Marvin for me.
    On the female side straight singing ability wise, gotta give it to Whitney but my favorite old school female vocalist is Anita Baker, hands down.
  • Luther is an awesome, awesome pick! That voice was smooth like butter (I prefer the fat Luther to the skinny Luther!)!
    It took me a while but I posted Ms Whitney also. She had her era on lock!!
  • Wilfredo
    regina, I was thinking the same thing about fat Luther, I felt he was more soulful, as well.
  • Now, y'all leave Luther alone!

    But I liked him better juicy, truth be told...sounded better...LOL...
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