Top 25 Favorite Singers countdown thread! (Top 2 Revealed!!!)

[lonestar]

 

[Zydar]

That's high praise.

[Stadler]

Another from my list!  YAY!  Wait..... I FORGOT ANNEKE!!!!!!!  I knew there was someone I was missing.  DAMMIT.  She's one of my favorite singers.  I love her heavier stuff with Devin - Bend It Like Bender! is killer - but her solo stuff is just beautiful.  She elevates everything she contributes to.  Really really disappointed I forgot her in the rush; she would have come in around 12, or so had I remembered.  (I'm retconning my list; I had Shirley Manson at 44, and that's now Anneke).

Jon Anderson is the singer and co-writer of my favorite album of all time and I dig him, but he didn't crack the top 25; he came in at 34.

These are two really, really good singers, though, so I'm going to give a couple good performances:

Anneke:
The aforementioned "Bend It Like Bender!" (check out the live version from the London shows; an aural and visual treat all around).
Lo And Behold from her solo album "The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest".
Everything else from "The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest"; what a beautiful, beautiful piece of work. 

Anderson:
Turn Of The Century
Going For The One
Starship Trooper

[Stadler]

I'm looking at my list and I hate it now.  Both Anderson and Anneke should have been in the top 25.

[Adami]

I can't begrudge anyone who forgot people on their list. I regretted the bulk of my list a few days after I sent it. I really should've spent much more time with it, but it is what it is. That said, my top 2 are my top 2, so Anneke would've been there regardless.

[TAC]

Jon Anderson renders Yes unlistenable to me.


0-8!!

[SwedishGoose]

Very nice..... both are on my list.
Jon at 13 and Anneke at 3.

25.
24.
23.
22.
21.
20.
19.
18.
17. Michael Åkerfeldt   
16. Peter Gabriel   
15.
14.
13. Jon Anderson
12.
11.
10.
9.
8.
7.
6.
5.
4.
3. Anneke van Giersbergen
2.
1.

Never seen Jon live but I do love his voice on recordsand live recordings. Wonderful singer...

Anneke..... such a great voice and such a great personality.
I have seen her live solo acoustic twice, with VUUR once and with Ayreon once. Spellbound all times...

Three songs wich I feel shows her control of her voice

Your Glourious Light Will Shine
https://open.spotify.com/track/1ylbvo8LOjS9wlUI7Pae9C?si=oaXZ_YkUS-2J6uD-V4AMNA&utm_source=copy-link

Heart of Amsterdam:
https://open.spotify.com/track/4vsYT4MuXQFbFYJxiHyH93?si=No7j5U9LRl6Cne9yDDBknw&utm_source=copy-link

Edward Griegs Solveis Song:
https://open.spotify.com/track/4MLS6W7sdkcKqOTHgkmH3S?si=vXzEAM-RSVKv59HhvHjuow&utm_source=copy-link

[HOF]

Jon Anderson was on my larger list to consider, but I’ve never been a huge fan of his voice. For a long time I think he was actually a big part of me not getting Yes. But as I’ve gotten into Yes more in recent years I’ve come to appreciate his voice a little more. Certainly one of the unique and enduring voices in rock. He still sounds more or less the same all these years later, which is impressive.

I’ve seen a lot of praise for Anneke here and elsewhere, and I think I checked out some of a recent solo album maybe, but didn’t come away with much of an impression. May check out something else, but given her associated acts I’m not sure much will click for me.

[nick_z]

Didn't participate, but seeing Anneke makes me happy 

By the way, reading comments about her performances with Devin, Ayreon, solo etc...all great, of course, but please, please, please, for those not familiar with them yet, do yourself a favor and check out The Gathering...if anything, for her singing! Her first album with them back in 1995, Mandylion, is just one of a kind, and her vocals on it are a thing of (powerful) beauty. Nighttime Birds is great too. Then the music became progressively "trippier", but her vocals didn't lose a step (I'm a big fan of her last two records with them too, Souvenirs and Home)

[SwedishGoose]

Bonus.... met Anneke after her concert in Stockholm on the 15th of October.

Such a charming and nice woman...
Got to talk to her for a while and got a photo with her.

[KevShmev]

Didn't participate, but seeing Anneke makes me happy 

By the way, reading comments about her performances with Devin, Ayreon, solo etc...all great, of course, but please, please, please, for those not familiar with them yet, do yourself a favor and check out The Gathering...if anything, for her singing! Her first album with them back in 1995, Mandylion, is just one of a kind, and her vocals on it are a thing of (powerful) beauty. Nighttime Birds is great too. Then the music became progressively "trippier", but her vocals didn't lose a step (I'm a big fan of her last two records with them too, Souvenirs and Home)

I didn't totally connect with Mandylion like I thought I would when I finally heard it a few months back, but I will circle back to it at some point.  I like Nighttime Birds a lot, and How to Measure... is my favorite so far by The Gathering.

[Samsara]

Neither made my list. Both very talented.

[cramx3]

I've also got a pic with Anneke (and the first from my list to make it!)



Honestly, I don't really follow her solo stuff and I'm sure I've only heard a small percentage of her overall work, but she has such a unique voice and style.  She adds so much to Devin Townsends work that I couldn't keep her off my list.  The picture is from after the Delain/Amorphis tour where she had the opening solo acoustic slot.  Here's her doing a cover of Iron Maiden's Wasted Years from that show https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1anZG1vPK6c

As for Jon Anderson, I'd put him with Peter Gabriel.  I understand why people here like these guys, but that old school prog music isnt really my cup of tea so these guys were never really considered for me.

[Lethean]

Neither made my list, but I'm cool with that and still enjoying Einar Solberg making the list yesterday.

[DTwwbwMP]

2 more not on my list, but Jon Anderson was #26 for me. Damn, just missed

[jingle.boy]

I'm with Luke and Hef on my assessments of both.  Very fine singers for what they produce, but I'm just not terribly deep into their inventory of music, hence not on my list.  I've got a pic with AVG as well (ProgNation at Sea in '14), but not sure if it's online still anywhere - turns out it is.  Damn photbucket watermark!

[cramx3]

What a lovely lady to take pics with us DTFers 

[Zydar]

Yeah she's taking one for the team.

[pg1067]

19 Jon Anderson

...

18 Anneke van Giersbergen

Jon Anderson is one of the most incredible singers ever.  His work with Yes is unparalleled.  He's known for high vocals, but he can go low and gritty too.  And, even better, he's been doing it more than 50 years and has barely lost a step.  I could listen to him sing the phone book.  My #2.

No idea who this woman is who finished one spot ahead of Anderson.

not knowing who Layne Staley is must certainly be way more shocking than not knowing who Brad Delp is.. 

Disagree with that.  The demographics are different, and album sales aren't the be all and end all of things, but Boston has outsold AIC by a mile.  I didn't know who Staley was by name, but I'd obviously heard of AIC.

[bosk1]

Neither made my list, but it makes sense they are here.

[Dream Team]

My wife's older sister is a singer and also an elitist snob about singing/music so one time when my wife played her some Dream Theater she was like "Ugh he sounds like Jon Anderson". Hadn't really noticed that before but both are polarizing I think. I'm 1 for 8 so far (McCartney).

[lonestar]

My wife's older sister is a singer and also an elitist snob about singing/music so one time when my wife played her some Dream Theater she was like "Ugh he sounds like Jon Anderson". Hadn't really noticed that before but both are polarizing I think. I'm 1 for 8 so far (McCartney).

I get how singers can be polarizing, but Anderson sounding like JLB? Not even close to my ears.

[Lethean]

not knowing who Layne Staley is must certainly be way more shocking than not knowing who Brad Delp is.. 

Disagree with that.  The demographics are different, and album sales aren't the be all and end all of things, but Boston has outsold AIC by a mile.  I didn't know who Staley was by name, but I'd obviously heard of AIC.

I dunno.  Maybe there needs to be a poll. I'd think more overall people would know who Layne Staley was.

[hefdaddy42]

My wife's older sister is a singer and also an elitist snob about singing/music so one time when my wife played her some Dream Theater she was like "Ugh he sounds like Jon Anderson". Hadn't really noticed that before but both are polarizing I think. I'm 1 for 8 so far (McCartney).

I get how singers can be polarizing, but Anderson sounding like JLB? Not even close to my ears.

I don't think they sound alike, either, but they are the same kind of singer (meaning polarizing - you either like them or you don't, not much middle ground).

[HOF]

My wife's older sister is a singer and also an elitist snob about singing/music so one time when my wife played her some Dream Theater she was like "Ugh he sounds like Jon Anderson". Hadn't really noticed that before but both are polarizing I think. I'm 1 for 8 so far (McCartney).

I get how singers can be polarizing, but Anderson sounding like JLB? Not even close to my ears.

I don't think they sound alike, either, but they are the same kind of singer (meaning polarizing - you either like them or you don't, not much middle ground).

They both sing in a higher register, which probably sounds similar to a casual listener. Especially if she heard something from Images and Words where James doesn’t have much gravel in his tone. Like, I could see someone who knew Owner of a Lonely Heart and heard Another Day making a connection.

[Zoom E]

I’m 0 for 8 as well.

I am not a fan of Jon Anderson’s voice at all.

Anneke has a fantastic voice and probably would have made my top 40.

[Adami]

Listen, I'm not saying everyone should have had Anneke in their top 10.



But....yes, I am saying that.

[wolfking]

0-8.

[Dream Team]

My wife's older sister is a singer and also an elitist snob about singing/music so one time when my wife played her some Dream Theater she was like "Ugh he sounds like Jon Anderson". Hadn't really noticed that before but both are polarizing I think. I'm 1 for 8 so far (McCartney).

I get how singers can be polarizing, but Anderson sounding like JLB? Not even close to my ears.

I don't think they sound alike, either, but they are the same kind of singer (meaning polarizing - you either like them or you don't, not much middle ground).

They both sing in a higher register, which probably sounds similar to a casual listener. Especially if she heard something from Images and Words where James doesn’t have much gravel in his tone. Like, I could see someone who knew Owner of a Lonely Heart and heard Another Day making a connection.

Correct, I think it was his soft tone.

[LithoJazzoSphere]

Yes!  Anneke was one I was unsure whether would make the aggregate list or not.  Here's the writeup I had done for her. 

22:  Anneke van Giersbergen

Bands - solo, The Gathering, Devin Townsend Project, others
Guest appearances - Ayreon, Amorphis, Votum, many others
From - the Netherlands
Other song highlights - The Gathering "Strange Machines", Ayreon "The Age of Shadows", Devin Townsend "Supercrush!"

I think at this point she's definitely the prog darling.  She doesn't have the the widest range or the type of voice to knock you over with power, but it just delightfully sits so well in so many different contexts, it's no wonder everyone wants to work with her.  [Edit:  And take pictures with her!]

Listening:

Agua de Annique - "Day After Yesterday"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2diVhbMkIfo

In Action:

Anneke van Giersbergen/Danny Cavanagh - "Untouchable Part 2" (Anathema)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFKmS_t4qck

but they are the same kind of singer (meaning polarizing - you either like them or you don't, not much middle ground).

Even within the same person.  On some parts I love his voice, and others it bugs me.  My favorite thing he's done is actually his guest appearance on 4Him's "The Only Thing I Need".  He and Andy Chrisman sound divine together. 

Cammie Gilbert were closest to making the cut.

She is on mine. 

Is mine the first #1 vote revealed?

Nope. 

-There were two singers who were put at number 1 on a list and were not put on any other list: Marjan Welman and Mark Knopfler.

Yeah she's taking one for the team.

Yes, she's sublime, but it hurts my eyes looking at these random schmucks who photo-bombed DTFers taking a photo of her. 

[Evermind]

I'm a big fan of Mark Knopfler but who the hell put him on #1?

Anneke is probably in my Top 10 singers.

[hefdaddy42]

I'm a big fan of Mark Knopfler but who the hell put him on #1?

That is a bit of a head scratcher.

I'm a big fan of his playing and writing, but his voice, while effective, is seemingly adequate, at best, IMO.

[The Realm]

Neither Jon Anderson or Anneke made my list. I don't really listen to Yes and as for Anneke, while I have heard lots of her singing and music, she was never in consideration for my top 25. A great singer but not really one I connect with.

[Stadler]

I'm a big fan of Mark Knopfler but who the hell put him on #1?

That is a bit of a head scratcher.

I'm a big fan of his playing and writing, but his voice, while effective, is seemingly adequate, at best, IMO.

The guy who put him at No. 1 can certainly carry his own water in terms of defending him, but Mark Knopfler at No. 1 is no more crazy than some of the picks we've seen already.  It's the same lecture I got when I posited Elvis for number one; it's who you like, who resonates.

[TAC]

I'm a big fan of Mark Knopfler but who the hell put him on #1?

That is a bit of a head scratcher.

I'm a big fan of his playing and writing, but his voice, while effective, is seemingly adequate, at best, IMO.

The guy who put him at No. 1 can certainly carry his own water in terms of defending him, but Mark Knopfler at No. 1 is no more crazy than some of the picks we've seen already.  It's the same lecture I got when I posited Elvis for number one; it's who you like, who resonates.

Exactly!