I'm just wondering who everyone else thinks is the best vocalist of the century so far. Not who your favourite singer is - who you think is the best.

Going by vocals, I'd say Christina Aguilera. Although she isn't my favourite singer; she wows me, yes. But I prefer listening to Alexandra Burke and find her voice more pleasant.

But even though (IMO) she's the best vocalist now, she's still not at the level Whitney and Mariah used to be.

Sorry if there's a thread like this. I did a search and didn't find one.

I completely agree with your choice. Christina is the voice of this generation and is a stunning vocalist. I would actually put her best vocals up with early Whitney, probably not as consistent but she is that legendary IMO.

The music snobs about here would be up in arms but I would put Leona Lewis and Kelly Clarkson up there in the top 3. Leona for the unbelievable range and wow factor of her voice and Kelly for again the incredible range and sheer versatility of her voice.

Carrie Underwood
Beyonce
Beverley Knight
Leona

Leona Lewis
Alexandra Burke
Beyonce Knowles
Mariah Carey

Some might disagree but I love their voices:
Rihanna
Sugababes 4.0

I agree. I think her next album will either make or break her. I can see her eventually being up there with Whitney and Mariah.

It's a shame that Christina has had such a little amount of commercial success. IIRC, Beautiful was her last #1. Since then she's released Hurt, Candyman and Ain't No Other Man. All 3 are absolutely fantastic, IMO.

Alexandra Burke has given me some Christina vibes, tbh. The only thing she lacks is the control and the range. But she has the power and she definately has more soul.

Leona Lewis
Beyonce Knowles
Christina Aguilera
Jennifer Hudson
Amy Winehouse
Kelly Clarkson
Alexandra Burke

New One (And I'd say 3rd Strongest) : Jessie -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKfzX...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TswOL...ature=related/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsCxl...eature=channel

Whitney.

Melanie C (sporty spice). Her voice and ballads are beautiful.

Beyonce gets my vote.

This century? Out of the popular females releasing music it has to be Kelly Clarkson. By quite a long way too. She is technically superb and has an absolutely massive range, bigger than her contemporaries, and she is also very versatile. Some of the covers she is doing on her most recent tour show all of this....

I have chosen my decision in a non biased way.

It has to be Christina Aguilera.

Followed by Beyonce, Amy Winehouse, Joss Stone and Jennifer Hudson.

Mariah

But I agree with Patrick, Christina is the best of the new generation by a mile.

My reasons for xtina were the same. I am not a big fan, i mean i loved her stripped album and still do and i like the odd song, but i still do not consider myself a fan. But in just a decade, she has kept very consistent. I felt Beyonce hasn't really shown her powerful vocals until she did the song Listen followed by the amazing Sasha fierce album which truly gave me a new perspective on her.

Regina Spektor

I disagree with the Aguilera. I do love her voice and I am very very impressed with her power. However, that power is mostly only present during mid range belted notes..... anything above an E5 and she struggles.... still, her skill as a vocalist totally cannot be doubted. If her range was bigger she would probably be the best....

Special mention for Jennifer Hudson too. Amazing singer.

Still, I go with Clarkson. Bigger range than Aguilera, better technical skill and again more versatile... I wouldn't say I was biased as I'm not the greatest fan of her material. In a live concert setting though she absolutely blows her contemporaries out of the water...

I respect your decision but i really strongly disagree with Clarkson. Clarkson has not shown her great strong vocals in any song. Listen to Fighter, The Voice within and Hurt by christina aguilera, now that is power. The whole of her stripped album shows true and utter consistent talent.

She's probably not technically the best vocalist, but Leona Lewis is my personal favourite. That range combined with the way she emotes really connects with me. Xtina has a brilliant voice but it's very harsh to my ears and I never feel anything from what she is singing. Kelly Clarkson would be my second favourite.

Edward Grimes.

Yes she has. Clarkson has a belting range that is superior to Aguilera in everyway. Kelly Clarkson can belt out F5s and above, all the way up to A5/Bb5 in full voice with clarity. Christina struggles with anything above an F5, especially live, and has never hit a good G5 live either.

Clarkson's vocals are consistently excellent so I would imagine you havent listened to enough live performances from her to make a solid judgement. Aguilera may sound better in the studio but as a live singer Kelly Clarkson is superior. Aguilera can hold notes for longer though, and has a better lower range.

Best vocalist of the century? For me, Barbara Streisand, without a doubt.

I do not gave the knowlege of notes that you do so I can't and won't argue with that. However as someone who is biased towards Kelly even I would admit Christina is a superior live vocalist to Kelly but not by much. To my ears she can belt much better than Kelly and as you say can hold the notes longer.

Out of interest what has Kelly hit that is higher than the notes in I Turn To You and What A Girl Wants?? Natural Woman?

Leona Lewis (even though I don't like her) and Jordin Sparks.

Yeah it's natural woman... a whistle register note that wasn't that amazing.

However, Christina cannot has has never belted an A5. Kelly has. Same with a Bb5. Kelly has also belted a C6 with mix of head and chest voice. You're right, Aguilera can hold notes for longer but when she tries to belt anything in the higher range it progressively sounds tinny and there is no vibrato....

Here is a note by note comparison of Clarkson, Aguilera and Beyonce. Anything above Eb5 shows that Kelly is superior to both Christina and Beyonce. Technically.

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

And here is a note by note comparison of Clarkson and Leona, if anyone is interested...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcltgzGcbg8

Of the ones not already listed that i'd rate as good vocalists I'd say Amy Lee (lead singer for Evanescence), she has an impressive range (Eb3 to E6 recorded), very versatile and very strong. Her vocals also have a haunting quality to them and she manages to project a lot of emotion into them. That and she can sing well live which seems to be a rare tallent now.

Female - Beyonce, Leona Lewis.

Male - James Morrison, Michael Buble.