If any of you are by any chance new to the stellar, heartbreaking genius of Thomas Quasthoff, listen to "Mache dich, mein Herze rein" from the St. Matthew Passion (part two, no. 65). Transporting. Perfect.
The first tune that comes to mind is from the last measures of the traditional minor key Adon Olam (at least the one from my conservative synagogue in NJ). Not sure this will work but:
Dua Lipa is 21st century. Weird Al and Mariah are legitimate answers, I'll allow it.
I remember advising that for your college applications you should write, 'I led a chorus performance' at Carnegie Hall because you were the first person from the group to walk out from backstage.
I like seeing Bob Dylan being recognized as a great singer- he is! I don’t think I disagree with your list all that much. I don’t know who I’d swap out to put John Lennon on my list, but he definitely makes my top 10.
You'd have to make room for Jussi Bjoerling, Sissel, Gladys Knight, and Lara Fabian. Referring to great voices only. I'm not sure Dylan would be considered a great voice.
Otherwise, the journey through Bach is just wonderful. However, the side trips through humor and whimsy are quite enjoyable.
Thanks Herb! I don't know Lara Fabian, I'll check her out.
I agree that Dylan doesn't have the greatest voice, but I was ranking the greatest *singers* -- his phrasing and tone choices are always strange and surprising and uniquely his.
If any of you are by any chance new to the stellar, heartbreaking genius of Thomas Quasthoff, listen to "Mache dich, mein Herze rein" from the St. Matthew Passion (part two, no. 65). Transporting. Perfect.
Yes! Also perfect are Quasthoff's Dichterliebe and Schwanengesang.
Allow me to retort (also in alphabetical order):
David Bowie
James Brown
Sam Cooke
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
Ella Fitzgerald
Marvin Gaye
Rob Halford
Billie Holliday
Van Morrison
Bessie Smith
Halford! Surprising, but I get it. Nice list.
I’m a big fan of your Substack. My favorite singers are Sinatra, Shirley Horn, Blossom Dearie, Stevie Wonder and Elis Regina.
Thanks Peter!
Great picks! "Waters of March" is one of the great all time records...
Which melodies from synagogue?
The first tune that comes to mind is from the last measures of the traditional minor key Adon Olam (at least the one from my conservative synagogue in NJ). Not sure this will work but:
אֲזַי מֶלֶךְ שְׁמוֹנִקְרָא
Dua Lipa, Weird Al, Mariah Carey, and also me. I was in county chorus in high school OR DID YOU FORGET
Dua Lipa is 21st century. Weird Al and Mariah are legitimate answers, I'll allow it.
I remember advising that for your college applications you should write, 'I led a chorus performance' at Carnegie Hall because you were the first person from the group to walk out from backstage.
I like seeing Bob Dylan being recognized as a great singer- he is! I don’t think I disagree with your list all that much. I don’t know who I’d swap out to put John Lennon on my list, but he definitely makes my top 10.
I’m so interested in who you shook hands with!
I love John's voice, too, of course.
I had a 90 second 1:1 with Paul McCartney in the House of Parlaiment in 1999. I could barely speak...
You'd have to make room for Jussi Bjoerling, Sissel, Gladys Knight, and Lara Fabian. Referring to great voices only. I'm not sure Dylan would be considered a great voice.
Otherwise, the journey through Bach is just wonderful. However, the side trips through humor and whimsy are quite enjoyable.
Thanks Herb! I don't know Lara Fabian, I'll check her out.
I agree that Dylan doesn't have the greatest voice, but I was ranking the greatest *singers* -- his phrasing and tone choices are always strange and surprising and uniquely his.