Underrated/overrated singers and musicians

[Vanillaphant]

Hello, hello. Yes: another music-based thread (apologies non-music lovers!).

Just to clarify, this is less about an artist’s songs and more about their qualities as either a singer or musician.

For example, I recently went through a bit of a crooner phase. It’s not the sort of music I normally listen to, so I’m just beginning to get an idea of who I do and don’t like. One voice from that genre that I think is underrated is Mel Torme’s. Until a couple of months ago I hadn’t even heard of the guy. And when I heard him I couldn’t really understand why that was. OK, it’s not a powerful voice, but it’s got a really nice intimate quality to it, I think – a sort of smooth, soothing feel, if that makes sense. Love him singing Careless Hands. Also, when I looked him up before posting this I discovered that his nickname was The Velvet Fog – which I loved! lol

And one crooner voice that I think is overrated is Tony Bennett’s. I just can’t understand why he was so popular. On this compilation album I’ve got there’s a recording of him singing a Hank Williams song called Cold, Cold Heart… He sounds like a frail old woman! lol Not that I've got anything against frail old women, of course – hey, some of my closest friends are frail old women lol. But come on. Who wants to listen to a voice like that? Millions of people, apparently. Makes me wince, though. *shrug*

What say you, TMF?

Cheeyers. 🙂

 

[ChosenofMystra]

God help me for saying this....but The Beatles are INCREDIBLY overrated.

Now don't get me wrong, they are a phenomenal band and contributed greatly to rock....but they are not the paragon of excellence in the genre. I don't much care for their early work...it didn't really do much to stand apart from the dozens of other "bubblegum pop" music out there at the time. Ringo is a mediocre percussionist (give me Neil Peart any day over Ringo) and Paul was merely just the face of the band. George and John were the ones that carried them.

 

[duderino84]

I always thought this band called The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza was underrated. For the following reasons: they were stupidly heavy, especially in their first two albums, but they created a style complete with over the top parts, generally messing with the audience. ...I thought the first album was a joke the first time I heard it, but they knew how to play and get people's attention just with their raw skills. Wish they didn't break up. I've been having tons of fun trying to decipher drum parts from recordings into midi (I do electronic music, bass guitar and bari sax).

 

[Bugman]

Hello, hello. Yes: another music-based thread (apologies non-music lovers!).

Just to clarify, this is less about an artist’s songs and more about their qualities as either a singer or musician.

For example, I recently went through a bit of a crooner phase. It’s not the sort of music I normally listen to, so I’m just beginning to get an idea of who I do and don’t like. One voice from that genre that I think is underrated is Mel Torme’s. Until a couple of months ago I hadn’t even heard of the guy. And when I heard him I couldn’t really understand why that was. OK, it’s not a powerful voice, but it’s got a really nice intimate quality to it, I think – a sort of smooth, soothing feel, if that makes sense. Love him singing Careless Hands. Also, when I looked him up before posting this I discovered that his nickname was The Velvet Fog – which I loved! lol

And one crooner voice that I think is overrated is Tony Bennett’s. I just can’t understand why he was so popular. On this compilation album I’ve got there’s a recording of him singing a Hank Williams song called Cold, Cold Heart… He sounds like a frail old woman! lol Not that I've got anything against frail old women, of course – hey, some of my closest friends are frail old women lol. But come on. Who wants to listen to a voice like that? Millions of people, apparently. Makes me wince, though. *shrug*

What say you, TMF?

Cheeyers. 🙂

I'm with you on Tony Bennett. Didn't know he covered Cold, Cold Heart but the very idea makes me..ill.

This will probably get me trashed but so be it. Never got the appeal of Kurt Cobain and Nirvana.

Let's keep in mind that taste in music, like everything else is subjective. There's really no right or wrong. Even Yoko Ono has her fans. 🙂

 

[The Internet]

Joe Walsh, man! Joe frickin' Walsh! What does Joe have to do to get some respect?

You know when that dopey Rolling Stone put out one of their dopey lists (which I read, like a dope) of the 100 Greatest Guitarist Players of All Time.....Joe Walsh somehow did not make the list. (KURT CORBAIN was in the top 20....ahead of such people as Carlos Santana, Jerry Garcia and Frank Zappa, to name but three....how does that happen?!!! There's the "overrated" part of my post! Grossly! Corbain ahead of Zappa? What the......)

Joe is in the dopey Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.....but only as a member of The Eagles! What about his solo work? "Rocky Mountain Way" alone! Not to mention The James Gang...."Funk 49" and "Walk Away" alone should put him in there. People go on and on about Sabbath and Zeppelin....the first two James Gang albums are just as good, if not better, and definitely as heavy! So......underrated: Joe Walsh/The James Gang

 

[CapturedDoll]

Lately I've had Jon Secada on my mind. And Martika. Both of these people have been pushed aside.... and it drives me crazy. They should be getting mainstream gigs left and right!!!!!

 

[Mrcool]

I like the devil makes three DAMN THEY BE GOOD

 

[Tenebrae]

Tarja Turunen should be a religion. With temples, worshippers, the whole thing. Seriously, this woman is so talented! Yet she is not that famous outside of Northern Europe and South America. Damn shame.

Yes, I also think The Beatles are a tad bit overrated. But the one singer that I really do not get is Beyonce. I simply do not understand the appeal. I mean, I don't see how she distinguishes from the mass of other pop singers out there in the US. Even if I do not enjoy pop music to begin with, I can see for example why people like Rihanna (distinctive voice) or Lady Gaga (strong visual identity) enjoy such a big fanbase. I like neither, but I can understand the appeal. But Beyonce's tremendous success remains a mystery to me.