I don't think either singer is necessarily better than the other and furthermore, there is no hardline definition of what constitutes a song stylist nor a pure vocalist. I asked several ppl I know in the music biz how do they define a song stylist and a pure vocalist and while not all of course had the same definition there were some common themes for both...

song stylists: typically singers who generally lack virtuosity in their singing and oftentimes may rely on studio enhancements to add to their vocals but make up for it w/their own unique way of delivering a song e.g. Marvin Gaye, who was one of the greatest song stylists, ever, remaking "I heard it through the grapevine" and the memorable national anthem at the NBA All Star game immediately come to mind. Some singers actually fall under both categories, particularly (female) jazz singers.


pure vocalist: singers who have the technical ability as well as being able to emote the spirit of the song particularly so w/great songwriting and great musicians (Whitney Houston). Some define a pure vocalist as someone who has at least a 3 octave range or better.


Which type of singer do you mostly prefer? I listed a wide range of singers from various eras for song stylists and pure vocalists and like I said there is no hard and fast definition so I'm sure someone will disagree w/where I have some singers listed as.


Song stylists:
-Bessie Smith
-Billie Holiday
-Diana Ross
-Anita Baker (there seems to be disagreement abt this one)
-Sade
-Lalah Hathaway
-Mary J. Blige
-Erykah Badu
-Marvin Gaye
-Lionel Ritchie
-Al Green
-Curtis Mayfield
-Will Downing
-Prince
-D'angelo

Pure vocalists:
-Ethel Waters
-Sarah "Sassy" Vaughn
-Ella Fitzerald
-Aretha Franklin
-Minnie Ripperton
-Mariah Carey
-Rachelle Ferrell
-Lauryn Hill
-Jill Scott
-Donny Hathaway
-Luther Vandross
-Maxwell

(Artists such as Chaka Khan, Regina Belle, and Stevie Wonder could be categorized as song stylists and pure vocalists seeing as though each have done material that showcases their vocal ability)

Poll result (6 votes) Song Stylists (5 votes) Vote Pure Vocalists (1 votes) Vote

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because usually Stylists are better at conveying emotionally compelling music and in traditional music, i tend to value the emotion i receive from the song more than the virtuosity of the performers.

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pretty fussy about music.

A person who just wants to be lit up with someone's vocal tone and power instead of attitude and style.

ironically, I really really love Deniece Williams.

semantics softer than couples at wedding alters
this cops and robbers
and u cant hold a candle
rip ur antlers off and hang them on my mantle
str8 rambo--rocket science wouldnt even try it
these dudes cant compare their focus is on a diet~me

Just wrong all around here, my man.

~Austin

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I like my vocalists to be a little bit of both btw...




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http://www.reverbnation.com/livesociety

where is R.Kelly? El Debarge? Jackie Wilson? Billy Eckstine? nat King Cole, Brian Mcknight? Michael Joe Jackson?

Sangers and you missed wide on this one.

mistermaxxx R.Kelly, Michael Jackson,Stevie wonder,Rick James,Marvin Gaye,El Debarge, Barry WHite Lionel RIchie,Isleys EWF,Lady T.,Kid creole and coconuts,the crusaders,kc sunshine band,bee gees,jW,sd,NE,JB

Miami Heat, New York Yankees,buffalo bills

give a few examples of the two types of singers LOL

and LOL @ putting R Kelly on any list except one for being a child predator


> where is R.Kelly? El Debarge? Jackie Wilson? Billy
>Eckstine? nat King Cole, Brian Mcknight? Michael Joe
>Jackson?
>
>Sangers and you missed wide on this one.
>

grassrootsphilosopher

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"The nameless was the beginning of heaven and earth;
The named was the mother of the myriad creatures."

Go in peace.
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ASAP..

I get what your trying to say..but naw man, Anita Baker is pure vocab..it's a reason no female singer since has been able to capture her vocal sound since..

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- Andre 3000

singers have said she's more of a stylist because her own unique way of singing a song is hard to duplicate. Listen to Anita's phrasing - its in the style of a jazz singer, her vocals were never so much abt her technique but more abt her delivery.


>ASAP..
>
>I get what your trying to say..but naw man, Anita Baker is
>pure vocab..it's a reason no female singer since has been able
>to capture her vocal sound since..
>
>

grassrootsphilosopher