Window to the soul: singers I would recommend you try

Not movie related but something a little bit different, taking one aspect of film we all take from granted, music, and looking at the greatest instrument of all, the human voice.

These are the singers who have touched my heart, made me smile, made me laugh, made me cry, made me horny, made me dance with the sheer joy of being alive, made my jaw drop with their sheer awesomeness.

Some have been with me my whole life, some I found late, some far too late, but they are all in their own way incredible and part of the fabric of my musical DNA.

I know I have forgotten some. But in the spirit of diversity I have tried to cover most decades since film began. I’d like to include more ladies. I’m sad about the short lives of many of those listed here.

Discuss, ignore, celebrate. Entirely up to you.

A

• Adele (1988- ). Big Hearted Lady. Solo Superstar. Vocal Perfection. Track of choice: Someone Like You https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLQl3WQQoQ0

B

• Joan Baez (1941- ). Activist. Folk Lady. Dylan Muse. Track of choice: Diamonds and Rust http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MSwBM_CbyY
• Maggie Bell (1945- ). Scots Siren. Throaty Wobble. Singin’ The Blues. Track of choice: No Mean City http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTSOx_xrXYw
• Brook Benton (1931-1988). Gospel Great. Cool Chocolate. Sandman. Track of choice: Rainy Night in Georgia http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDRbF80NKDU
• Dave Berry (1941- ). Shy Boy. Solo Glove. Cruiser Bruiser. Track of choice: This Strange Effect http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VGJDHfhXqw
• Black (1962-2016). Smoky Voice. Delicate Jazz. Inky. Track of choice: Sweetest Smile http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgEUArDsR1Q
• Marc Bolan (1947-1977). Pixie Dust. The Groover. Boy Beautiful. Track of choice: Cosmic Dancer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5pw8BNPn6U
• Graham Bonnet (1947- ). Bottle Blond. High Pitcher. Powerhouse. Track of choice: Love’s No Friend http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGQkJ7WTHqU
• David Bowie (1947-2016). Thin White Duke. Androgyny. Ziggy Plays Guitar. Track of choice: Heroes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tgcc5V9Hu3g
• Elkie Brooks (1945- ). Manchester Mama. Hard Drinkin’ Woman. Rock Goddess. Track of choice: No More The Fool http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tkmje83iCA0
• Sam Brown (1964- ). Joe’s Little Girl. Blue Eyed Soul. Ukelele Player. Track of choice: Stop www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4yOa3tBrB8
• Jeff Buckley (1966-1997). One Album Hit. Tragic Dreamer. Haunting. Track of choice: Lilac Wine www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PC68rEfF-o

C

• Maria Callas (1923-1977). Soaring Soprano. Greek Tragedy. Bella Madonna. Track of choice: Casta Diva www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-9IvuEkreI
• Vicki Carr (1941- ). Tuneful Texan. Passionate Belter. Lisper. Track of choice: With Pen In Hand www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWvZ7P_V4bw
• Johnny Cash (1932-2003). Man In Black. Barfly. Soul Bearer. Track of choice: Hurt www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aF9AJm0RFc
• Nick Cave (1957- ). Rumbler. Prince of Darkness. Oz. Track of choice: Where The Wild Roses Grow www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDpnjE1LUvE
• Petula Clark (1932- ). Child Star. Little Shoemaker. Survivor. Track of choice: I Don’t Know How To Love Him www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHedNsFBUvw
• Alma Cogan (1932-1966). Girl With The Giggle In Her Voice. Fabulous Frocks. TV Queen. Track of choice: I Can’t Tell A Waltz From A Tango www.youtube.com/watch?v=QI8z5gBNDWk
• Leonard Cohen (1934-2016). Honey Vocal. Sensual Poet. Philosopher. Track of choice: Anthem www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCS_MwkWzes
• Glenda Collins (1943- ). Meek and Mild. Party Girl. Lollipop. Track of choice: Something I Got To Tell You www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMMlQ3TroCc
• David Coverdale (1951- ). Redcar Romeo. Hair Metal. California Jammin. Track of choice: Child of Babylon www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAGO1EwWBMM
• Julie Covington (1946- ). Rock Folly. No Nathaniel No. Big Hair. Track of choice: Only Women Bleed www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VpRP00-Xxk
• Bing Crosby (1903-1977). Golfer. Investor. Biggest Ears in the Business. Track of choice: How Deep is the Ocean www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHW08p1t4jE

D

• Doris Day (1922- ). Perpetual Virgin. Secret Love. Wham Bam Calam. Track of choice: Sentimental Journey www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUw125JMVFI
• Dave Dee (1941-2009). Singing Magistrate. A&R Man. Charity Guru. Track of choice: Last Night in Soho www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdskx3uIUSo
• Neil Diamond (1941- ). Jazz Singer. Jewel. Sweet Caroline. Track of choice: Forever in Blue Jeans www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQLWF_ItzYs
• Ronnie James Dio (1942-2010). Big Big Voice. Holy Diver. Most Powerful Voice in Rock. Track of choice: Gates of Babylon www.youtube.com/watch?v=mso2g8lBGAQ
• Bob Dylan (1941- ). Bluesman. Unplugged. Icon. Track of choice: Like a Rolling Stone www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxLMr784l0Q

E

• Nelson Eddy (1901-1967). Singing Sweetheart. Honey Vox. Blond Bombshell. Track of choice: The Holy City www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrFDxE1lGXU
• Mama Cass Elliot (1941-1974). Somebody Groovy. Large Lovely Lady. Russian. Track of choice: I Call Your Name www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXhiu1ZbOyo

F

• Marianne Faithfull (1946- ). Jagger Muse. Wall Dweller. Dope Princess. Track of choice: Sister Morphine www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8oWXbGB-7o
• Kathleen Ferrier (1912-1953). Contralto. Warm Tone. Orpheus. Track of choice: Blow The Wind Southerly www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-Z8cmo7cbs
• Bryan Ferry (1945- ). Foxy Roxy. Sharp Suit. Glitterball. Track of choice: Jealous Guy www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRzGzRqNj58
• Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996). Queen of Jazz. Soulful Song. Lady Ella. Track of choice: Summertime www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2bigf337aU
• Wayne Fontana (1945- ). Bizzare. Mean Skater. Mindbender. Track of choice: Come On Home youtu.be/mE-OlgmEOCE
• Aretha Franklin (1942- ). Gospel Queen. Soul Diva. Serial Duetter. Track of choice: I Say A Little Prayer www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtBbyglq37E

G

• Judy Garland (1922-1969). Saddest Eyes of All. No Place Like Home. Voice of an Angel. Track of choice: The Man That Got Away www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzyPMRo8ZUQ
• Robin Gibb (1949-2012). Toothy Bee Gee. Saved By The Bell. Ugly Jubbly. Track of choice: I Started A Joke www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkG4oIPT7tU
• Ian Gillan (1945- ). Bandana Boy. Machine Head. Hot Dresser. Track of choice: Hallelujah www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_o6W0LJqQw

H

• Sammy Hagar (1947- ). Red Rocker. Chickenfoot. Free Money. Track of choice: Connection www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_2tb_65FcM
• Richard Harris (1930-2002). Irish Brawler. Poet. Legend. Track of choice: MacArthur Park www.youtube.com/watch?v=iplpKwxFH2I
• Alex Harvey (1935-1982). Mad as a Box of Frogs. Scary Scot. Sensational. Track of choice: Next www.youtube.com/watch?v=0E8bHdJ9_4k
• Justin Hayward (1946- ). Moody Blue. White Night. Forever Autumn. Track of choice: Your Wildest Dreams www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nrr6sczpjXY
• Murray Head (1946- ). Coffee Sibling. Original Judas. Pretty Vacant. Track of choice: Say It Ain’t So, Joe www.youtube.com/watch?v=hW9tq9ImRTg
• Billie Holiday (1915-1959). Lady Day. Jazz Momma. Doper. Track of choice: Strange Fruit www.youtube.com/watch?v=Web007rzSOI
• Buddy Holly (1936-1959). Singing Specs. Texan Teen. Tragic Idol. Track of choice: Love is Strange www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgGWvUWGFLs

J

• Michael Jackson (1958-2009). Pop Peter Pan. Thriller Chiller. Plastic Pop. Track of choice: Billie Jean www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zi_XLOBDo_Y
• Mick Jagger (1943- ). Red Rooster. Snake Hips. Them There Lips. Track of choice: Brown Sugar www.youtube.com/watch?v=3B0Y3LUqr1Q
• Paul Jones (1942- ). Pretty Flamingo. God Botherer. Harmonica Harmonizer. Track of choice: I’ve Been a Bad, Bad Boy www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OklnajvS2o
• Janis Joplin (1943-1970). Heroin Heroine. Delicate Flower Power. Bourbon Slick. Track of choice: Mercedes Benz www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qev-i9-VKlY

K

• Howard Keel (1919-2004). Golden Age Music Man. Miss Ellie’s Husband. Tuneful Tenor. Track of choice: Oh What a Beautiful Morning www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgssdRzg3ZQ

L

• Denny Laine (1944- ) Mull of Kintyre. Gipsy Jazzer. Wacky Backy. Track of choice: Go Now www.youtube.com/watch?v=h42kzEA9l8Q
• Peggy Lee (1920-2002). Sweet Sophisticate. Sexy Croak. Stunner. Track of choice: Fever www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyJSc4KlmPA
• Josef Locke (1917-1999). Irish Troubadour. Tenor Who Inspired Tears. Exile. Track of choice: Goodbye www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVxvYsBq7GI
• Vera Lynn (1917- ). Soldier Sweetheart. War Baby Doll. Grand Matriarch. Track of choice: We’ll Meet Again www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsM_VmN6ytk

M

• Gordon MacRae (1921-1986). Carousel Billy. Sinatra’s Favourite Voice. Musical Man. Track of choice: Soliloquy www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dceFh0cGgo
• Barry Manilow (1943- ). Lola. Bette’s Pianist. Out and Proud. Track of choice: Mandy www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XeSQVWleqY
• Freddie Mercury (1946-1991). Diva. Strutter. Sensational. Track of choice: The Show Must Go On www.youtube.com/watch?v=t99KH0TR-J4
• George Michael (1963-2016). Wham Bam. Shuttlecock. Soul Boy. Track of choice: Faith www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Cs3Pvmmv0E
• Liza Minnelli (1946- ). Judy’s Girl. Doe Eyes. Luscious Lush. Track of choice: What Makes A Man A Man www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXP0KNuNF7M
• Vaughn Monroe (1911-1973). Million Dollar Monotone. Singing Cowboy. Leather Laddie. Track of choice: There, I’ve Said It Again www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Um92VEf66A
• Jim Morrison (1943-1971). Lizard King Mr Mojo Risin’. Rider on the Storm. Track of choice: Love Her Madly www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLdvnQD_eio

N

• Anthony Newley (1931-1999). Artful Dodger, Lounge Lizard. Mr Joan Collins. Track of choice: Goldfinger www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pyJd_rFrlo

O

• Philip Oakey (1955- ). Man of Many Haircuts. Daddy Cool. Sheffield Steel. Track of choice: Seconds www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hdh430xbTmw
• Roy Orbison (1936-1988). The Big O. High Notes. Travelling Wilbury. Track of choice: Running Scared www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH-AafkQPEo

P

• Mica Paris (1969- ). Soul Sister. Gospel Diva. Media Mess. Track of choice: God Bless The Child (with bonus Boy George!) www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM76c59a-zE
• Dolly Parton (1946- ). Country Royalty. Wig Wearer. Known for Her Dollies. Track of choice: I Will Always Love You www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDqqm_gTPjc
• Luciano Pavarotti (1935-2007). Big Lucy. Italian Stallion. White Handkerchief. Track of choice: Una furtive lacrima www.youtube.com/watch?v=2J7JM0tGgRY
• Linda Perry (1965- ). Non Blonde. Big Voice. Wrote Beautiful. Track of choice: What’s Up www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NXnxTNIWkc
• Gene Pitney (1940-2006). Innovator. Tulsa. High High Notes. Track of choice: Something’s Gotten Hold of My Heart www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Cxhl8AwOf0
• Elvis Presley (1935-1977). Memphis Mafia. Bling King. Taking Care of Business. Track of choice: If I Can Dream www.dailymotion.com/video/xb0k4_elvis-presley-if-i-can-dream_music

Q

• Philip Quast (1957- ). Definitive Javert. Play School Presenter in Oz. Amazing Eyes. Track of choice: Some Enchanted Evening youtu.be/4AgWWBcJ19c

R

• Amy Ray (1964- ). Indigo Girl. Loud Lesbian. Hot as Hell. Track of choice: Gethsemane www.youtube.com/watch?v=00vwUKIxdcU
• Johnnie Ray (1927-1990). Jazz-Blues Man. Stop Your Sobbing. Rock Predecessor. Track of choice: Cry www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIxl_ISz1Ag
• Ivan Rebroff (1931-2008). Fake Russian. Amazing Range. Jolly. Track of choice: Evening Chimes aka Evening Bells www.youtube.com/watch?v=GudXZUgQxeg
• Lou Reed (1942-2013). Velvet Man. Cult Horror. Laurie’s Lad. Track of choice: Venus in Furs www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLQzaLr1enE
• Paul Robeson (1898-1976). Coal Miner’s Friend. Basso Profundo. Activist. Track of choice: Going Home www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9smSP1dq-A

S

• Bon Scott (1946-1980). Aussie Hunk. Boozie Floozie. Hot Stuff. Track of choice: Whole Lotta Rosie vimeo.com/81941325
• Neil Sedaka (1939- ). Liberace Clone. Reinventor. Pianist. Track of choice: Bad Blood www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-qdYP5Eb4M
• Frank Sinatra (1915-1998). Chairman of the Board. Ol’ Blue Eyes. Mafia Mogul. Track of choice: It Was a Very Good Year www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bhNz6saaE8
• Patti Smith (1946- ). Horses. Wild Women Do. Gone Again. Track of choice: Summer Cannibals www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBJtS3IhwCY
• Jimmy Somerville (1961- ). Scots Soarer. Hit That Beat. Smalltown Boy. Track of choice: Don’t Leave Me This Way www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifAtvI48R_0
• Dusty Springfield (1939-1999). Beehive. Memphis. Preacher Man. Track of choice: If You Go Away www.youtube.com/watch?v=C75Pq6Suaew
• Jo Stafford (1917-2008). Pied Piper. Opera Queen. Jazz Gal. Track of choice: I’ll Be Seeing You www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvq4OnhMEO4
• Layne Staley (1967-2002). Angelic Junkie. Soul Screamer. Grunge Spirit. Track of choice: Man in the Box www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAqZb52sgpU
• Heather Small (1965- ). M People. Soul Proud. Queer as Folk. Track of choice: Proud www.youtube.com/watch?v=OygsHbM1UCw
• Vivian Stanshall (1943-1995). Crank. Wit. Bon Viveur. Track of choice: Jollity Farm www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyVDUVJvDlM
• Barbra Streisand (1942- ). Multifaceted. Top Diva. Demanding. Track of choice: Woman In Love www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KJ60uJZ3-Q

T

• Richard Tauber (1891-1948). Austrian Exile. Greatest Tenor. Monocle Man. Track of choice: You Are My Heart’s Delight www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtgmKpcgQ30
• Bryn Terfel (1965- ). Welsh Dragon. Big Bold Baritone. Rugby Nut. Track of choice: Shenandoah www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo4LmXemNrg
• Joe Lynn Turner (1951- ). Italian Stallion. Hair Metal. Power. Track of choice: Tearin’ Out My Heart www.youtube.com/watch?v=jV3C0AO4CAI
• Judie Tzuke (1956- ). Black Furs. Fire Maiden. Proud Pole. Track of choice: Stay With Me Till Dawn www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Lk-acekQGs

V

• Dickie Valentine (1929-1971). Mr Sandman. Top Pop. Cleo and Meo. Track of choice: Finger of Suspicion www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEaEkJbpab8
• Luther Vandross (1951-2005). Honey Child. Serial Duetter. Bling King. Track of choice: Dance With My Father www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmDxJrggie8
• Frankie Vaughan (1928-1999). Mr Moonlight. Liverpool Lover. Lounger. Track of choice: Tower of Strength www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HzCiqtqxC4

W

• Dinah Washington (1924-1963). Delicate Dinah. Queen of the Blues. Jukebox Queen. Track of choice: September in the Rain www.youtube.com/watch?v=fk-jh3xocd0
• Marty Wilde (1939- ). Kim’s Dad. Teenager in Love. Wig Wearer. Track of choice: Jezebel www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEPwvMhzVd4
• Colm Wilkinson (1944- ). High High Voice. Musical Maestro. Emerald Isle. Track of choice: Bring Him Home www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsYnhVITf9E
• Amy Winehouse (1983-2011). Soul Junkie. Rehab Queen. Beehive Wearer. Track of choice: Back to Black www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJAfLE39ZZ8

Y

• Timi Yuro (1940-2004). Little Girl, Big Voice. Heartbreaker. Track of choice: All Alone Am I www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOiZPai5S6Y