Wednesday, November 26, 2008

do you want to fly?

My Top 5 Favourite Vocalists:

5. Calvin Simon
An original member of the Parliaments, and a mainstay of the P-Funk crowd, he unfortunately very rarely sings lead. When he does, however, it is so powerful.
Example: "Baby I Owe You Something Good" - all that's available is some select 30-second clips here and here (if you're in the US). You can download it on iTunes if you're really that interested.
4. Lyn Collins
An often-overlooked soul singer, Lyn Collins has a stunning, slightly raspy voice, and she is in clear control of it at all times. No Xtina-esque oversinging, yet you are in no doubt that the woman can sing.
Example: "Think/Ain't No Sunshine", not the best quality recording, but has two of her best songs. If you're going to just listen to one, though, skip to 3:45 and make it "Ain't No Sunshine"

3. Sly Stone
Sly Stone, of (what else) Sly & the Family Stone, is one of the most versatile vocalists of all time.
Example: "If You Want Me to Stay" not only has a killer bassline, but showcases Sly's voice

2. Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye is one of my favourite artists, and he always put so much emotion into his stunningly beautiful love songs. His voice defines soul but it never seems like he's trying. As some eloquent Youtube poster said, "Marvin could spit on the ground and it would sound smooth."
Example: "Come Get to This", my personal favourite Marvin Gaye song

1. Glenn Goins
Words cannot describe my feelings for Glenn Goins, except that he's probably my favourite person to ever exist in the history of mankind. When I hear his voice, it's as if my soul is a sponge pulling all good feelings into me, I have never heard anything so beautiful.
Glenn was in Parliament for two years, from 1975 to 1977, and was best known for "calling in the Mothership" at live concerts. He passed away from leukemia at the age of 23.
Example: Okay, I'll be honest...I don't know if you're ready for this. It's my favourite Youtube video ever, has brought me to tears countless times, and I'd hate for it to be watched by someone who isn't fully ready. If you feel like you can handle it, click here to see - and more importantly, hear - Glenn Goins calling the Mothership..

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

To answer your question, yes I did read everyone's blog. I just put the same comment on everyone's blog out of pure laziness (you got me there.) Don't worry about putting me on the spot, in fact after I wrote all that on everyone's blog, I kind of wondered if anyone would question if I actually read it because it looks a little fishy...I totally understand from your point of view. Anywho...I absolutely loved the photography in the last post. Very evoking and inspirational.

this wheel's on fire said...

marvin gaye & sly stone have to be some of the best of all time :)

Keith said...

Hey Molly. Great choices. I'm especially a big fan of Sly and Marvin. Cheers!

Fashion Tidbits said...

thank you so much~ i'm really glad that you like my blog. i'm so sorry though, i don't have that header picture saved on my computer anymore :(

Cate said...

Okay..... I think I'll have to watch that Glenn Goins video when I'm at home alone and my annoying little brother ISN'T sitting next to me waiting impatiently for me to move so that he can go play computer games *cough cough*

Yeaaah said...

Recently, you happened to ask me what have I got against Zappa Plays Zappa. I was going to post about it, but I never got around to it. Maybe I will yet.

But anyway, I don't like the surviving members of the Zappa family because their attitude is hurtful to the fans. Gail Zappa sued Zappanale, an annual festival that is a tribute to Frank's music. She says it's damaging to his legacy. I think she only wants Dweezil to play Frank's music instead of letting it live on through the enthusiasm of the fans. I'm sure Frank would have been happy that so many people want to play his music, and make it live on in many forms. That's what composers want, isn't it? Zappanale did not even make any money - what they made on it barely covered the cost of organizing it. They did it solely as a celebration of Zappa's music.

Also, an acquaintance of mine said that Zappa Plays Zappa sounded basically like "Zappa by numbers", without the spirit of fun and improvisation that was so integral to Frank's creativity. It was cool, but it lacked the liveliness you get from the real thing. The same acquaintance wrote a play and wanted to use Zappa's music in it. He actually wrote to Gail to ask if he can do it, and naturally, she said no. I'm sure Frank himself would have been thrilled to see people use his music to make merry fun, but his family seems to want to keep it as a profitable monopoly for themselves.

Now, I usually remain neutral when bands and musicians fight amongst themselves, but I don't like it when some people that weren't even involved in creating the music are so hostile to the fans. Therefore, I would not attend Zappa Plays Zappa because I do not wish to support Dweezil and his mom.

Flavia Flanders said...

i like sly stone's hair. super cool.

Lexie said...

i love when you put up you tube links of your favorite music. these are great!

Style Spot said...

Marvin Gaye is one of my favourite artists too. When I get home late, I often put on one of his cd's, light lots of candles and just completely unwind. His voice is a dream to listen too!

Sister Libby said...

Sly & The Family Stone rock my world. Also, that video of Mr. Goins is top noch. Excellent youtube material.

Secretista said...

Thanks for introducing me to some vocalists I've never heard of!

Mimi said...

Sly Stone and Marvin Gaye, definitely are some of my faves! Great choices, love the music!

xo

Anonymous said...

What a great list - I hadn't heard of Glenn Goins and I loved the youtube video you posted. Thank you for sharing!

PS. It takes me around 20 minutes start to finish to do my make up :D

Sarah Von Bargen said...

Totally thought that photo of Sly Stone was Erykah Badu at first glance! :D

jess said...

Ain't no sunshine is amazing.

What is Reality Anyway? said...

very divers, and i love your picks xx

Katelin said...

marvin gaye is amazing. seriously love him and all of his songs.

Carla said...

Hi there, thanks for this post I am going to check out some of these guys I don't know. What you wrote about Glen Coin makes me want to rush out and buy some of his music. Love the photo of him. Carla x

Cathionelle said...

I have exactly the same feelings about glenn goins ;) I love his voice so much.

Unknown said...

You are so right! Glenn Goins simply has the BEST voice I've ever heard! I am quite familiar with him; I am a P-Funkster.

Glenn died 31 years ago.
People really need to be introduced the the late crooner. We can't just let Glenn's legacy, and incredible talent go on being ignored.