By Odeisel
I just got a new stereo for Christmas; a nice CD playing stereo. You get tired of hearing music through earbuds and headphones and I definitely get tired of hearing mp3 sound. I turned on the radio and all I heard was a bunch of guys crying and bitching and begging their way back to some woman. I felt like Michael Imperioli (Chris from The Sopranos) in those tequila commercials. What happened to men?
Maybe I’m old fashioned (I’m definitely old-fashioned) but I like my wife’s hair longer, her clothes tighter and her voice higher than mine. As much as we get on Drake, the R&B guys are way worse. So here’s my list of men who sing like men. Ladies drop your panties. Guys, put down the fucking chamomile tea and pick up a beer or do some pushups or something.Teddy Pendergrass
I could just write, “TURN ‘EM OOFF!” And be done with this. Teddy had that brute force, tempered with a saft gravely rear throat that was perfect for bedroom bargaining. No pandering. He asked you nicely to turn off the lights. You were moving too slow
Tony Bennett
I saw Mr. Bennett three years ago when Stevie Wonder invited him onstage during his lost recent tour. His voice was like fine crystal, just immacualte. That same voice that roared when my parents were children is still powerful enough to stand toe to toe in a duet with a 27 year old Amy Winehouse. He may have left his heart in San Fran but vocally he’s all man.
Barry White
Ex-banger, turned lover, Barry has so many classic love songs that picking one as a favorite will only last till the end of the song when you realize he has another. That buttersoft molasses, slow poring baritone will rock you to sleep or get you ready to put you girl to sleep. Then he had the nerve to have that Love Unlimited Orchestra.
David Ruffin
David Ruffin’s voice had power, the kind that you can’t quantify. The kind of concussive force you could not teach in a class. He spent less time with the Tempations than you think, but so many of their standards bear his mark. The way his voice rumbles through “I’ll Be There” will rattle speakers and doominated whatever music was playing in the background for eternity.
Frank Sinatra
Sinatra is so cool that Puffy still wants to be like him in those commercials. His voice alone conjures scotch on the rocks, a roll of the dice, and untied bow tie and a disheveled tux after partying hard. Don’t forget the woman waiting back at your hotel. Ah, the good life. So many standards. Chicago was his kind of town, and if you could make it in the Rotten Apple, you could make it anywhere. Try to match hits with him and you’ll run out way before he does.
Tyrese
Mr. Gibson has gone totally indie and some of his newer stuff is hit or miss, but he’s oe of the few guys thta till sings with mauline energy. I can’t get with all that Trwiitter Life coach stuff, but he’s come a long way from that kid with the face peircing inging on the back of the bus. Tyreses has a strong voice that is packed with Watts pain and when motivated he’s a big time talent that doesn’t whine or sing like a wuss.
Eddie/Gerald Levert
Whenever I hear either one of these guys, it sounds like fatherly love. Not the bumbling sitcom dad, but the teach you how to box, fish, ride a bike father that so many dudes are lacking. There is a hunger to their voices surrounded by love and sprinked with tender assertiveness like bacon-wrapped scallops. It’s such a rare combo that the ladies will always be ready for some of that teddy bear love; soothed and satisfied, but safe and protected.
Michael McDonald
His sound is so distinct, it engendered a Family Guy parody. Whether duet style, with the Doobie Brothers, or on his own, you know that high pitch voice with the low bottom (I don’t think I ever heard that kind of mixture). Michael Mcdonald is one of the few white singers that could tackle the Motown catalogue and not blink, infusing it with his own brand of funk. That takes balls and this daring vocalist has them in spades.
Nat King Cole
His was a rich, pristine voice, devoid of overt sexuality, but still restrained and dignified; still manly. I’d take his version of “The Christmas Song” over any solo version (probably not over The Temptations). His voice and presence led him to become thje first Black man with his own television show. And he didn’t have to step n fetchit to do it.
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