Current reigning world champion singer?

[Gordon Neill]

Is Mariza currently the unified world champion singer, across all disciplines?

I recently bought Mariza's 'Concerto Em Lisboa' CD and, for good measure, rented the DVD as well. The thing that struck me was, as usual, the bleedin' obvious. She's a fantastic singer. No second takes, no overdubbing. Totally immersed in the emotion of each song. At one point she even breaks down during the last song, O Gente Da Minha Terra, as she's so overcome with its emotion (and, having watched the DVD, it's no affectation, it's genuine). She didn't even do her party piece of singing without any microphone (which, having seen her live a couple of years ago, is truly impressive).

Is Mariza the undisputed world champion singer of our time? The Aretha of the 2000s? Or are there any other contenders who could go 12 rounds with her?

[Des]

I don't think Mariza's the best really. She's a bit miserable. Do you mean the best female singer?

For female Jasmin Levy and Oumou Sangare come close.
For male Thione Seck or Salif Keita.

[Chris P]

Kaushiki Chakrabarty ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95X7JahBxR4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMR7CAAQ6WY

9 hours singing practice a day !

I think it's fair to say, without disparaging their still vital music, that Fairuz, Salif and Youssou's most vocally gifted and flexible days are past

Is Yasmin Levy a happy-go-lucky barrel of laughs then Des ?

[Des]

Kaushiki Chakrabarty ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95X7JahBxR4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMR7CAAQ6WY

I think it's fair to say, without disparaging their still vital music, that Fairuz, Salif and Youssou's most vocally gifted and flexible days are past

Blimey that's a bit good innit?

[Gordon Neill]

Des asked:

Do you mean the best female singer?

Nope. Male, female, happy, sad, tall, short, fat, thin....

[CantSleepClownsWillGetMe]

I love the dark voice of Lhasa de Sela -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGNk_zHy4Mg

J

[Des]

Is Yasmin Levy a happy-go-lucky barrel of laughs then Des ?

She laughed at the one about the white horse who goes into a pub and asks for a whisky.

[Chris P]

She laughed at the one about the white horse who goes into a pub and asks for a whisky.

barperson : 'Which would you like, we've got Bells, Grouse, Teachers, we've even got one named after you'
white horse : 'What : Eric ?'

[Des]

She laughed at the one about the white horse who goes into a pub and asks for a whisky.

barperson : 'Which would you like, we've got Bells, Grouse, Teachers, we've even got one named after you'
white horse : 'What : Eric ?'

It's the way you tell 'em.

[Chris P]

It's the way you tell 'em.

Mariza's reaction to the joke:

[Des]

It's the way you tell 'em.

Mariza's reaction to the joke:

'....and the punchline is......?'

[Chris P]

[Dayna]

Damon Albarn

[That Was Jonathan E. Then]

Mariza sure ain't my reigning world champion singer, although I don't know who is. I'm not into reigning world champions. Too restrictive — and what criteria would ever make sense, anyway?

[Gordon Neill]

Jonathan E. muttered:

Too restrictive — and what criteria would ever make sense, anyway?

No restrictions, other than current form. Any genre, any gender. And the only criteria would be a voice that moves you (as in moves you emotionally, not moves you to hit the 'off' switch).