David Bowie strictly as a singer

Is it me or Bowie was not anything special in terms of vocal ability?
We had an argument on Wild Is The Wind and if George Michael did it better than Bowie. To my ears its not even in the same caliber applying that Michael is far superior in strictly vocal terms.
And then of course i mentionded Freddie as an example of aside the emotion, interpretation and performance the ability to actually hit the notes and possesing an all around great tone.

So do you ever had the impression that Bowie always goes "around" the vocal melody and almost never actually nailing it?

He's a different type of singer with an artistry that outstrips both George Michael and Freddie Mercury's cabaret turns.

His artistry obviously outstrips George Michael's, but I'm not sure it outstrips Freddie's. He was more avant-garde, perhaps, than Mercury, but in terms of musicality, it's a tough one.

In response to Stelios' question - I don't think it's strictly warranted to quantify Bowie's abilities purely when it comes to singing. He delivered a package. His vocal abilities can be analysed technically, and it should be fairly easy to determine how "good" a voice he had - although of course technical ability does not always translate to a voice which people love (e.g. Adam Lambert). I think Bowie had a voice which you could easily really like. But I would agree that Michael and Mercury had a "better" voice in that respect.

I must admit i am a little bewildered. Overall artistry aside to compare Freddie's -set of pipes- with Bowie's is almost a no-brainer .And to some extent even with Michael's in his best years.
Perhaps i approach it more as a nature's gift and raw force combined with the sheer will to take it to its limits.

He was a brilliant dude who understood music very well (*considerably more than I. I still need to reference A 440/whichever you prefer to tune anything. I can't for some reason hear a note in connotation with a written note)

he sang and arranged most of his own harmonies.

Freddie had a flair for the dramatic.

George had beauty, depth of sincerity and wonderful control.

dunno how you could go wrong with any of them

David's timbre for rock was a little nasal but whatever. at least he didn't stay crooning (*though it would have suited him)

Bowie's voice is liquid gold. Technically, Freddie is a better singer than both Bowie and GM. I've listened to Freddie more than any other artist, and his voice blows me away. But Bowie makes me LISTEN. He's not a great singer, but he has something that makes everything he does sound good. Couple that with showmanship/personality, and Bowie is as good a complete package as anyone. Same with Johnny Cash, and he basically just spoke through everything. I've never liked GM. Don't berate me for that - musical taste is purely subjective.

I like David Bowie. But anyone who claims that Bowie is a better singer than Freddie can not be taken seriously. But that doesnt mean that some people can't prefer Bowies tone or style. John Petrucci is a better technical guitar player than Brian May. Still I prefer Brian May every day because he creates the best sounds for me.

I don't like Bowie's voice very much personally. I'm very sensitive to pitch and thus I find it hard to listen to Bowie, Cohen and other barytones with their slightly wobbly and "liberal" approach to the notes.

It's the full package that counts. The artist, composing their own work and delivering it from the soul , uniquely by them.
Technical ability don't mean Jack shit.
That's why Adam Lambert will always be cabaret.

Just to add to my first post, as a massive Bowie fan, Freddie is obviously the better technical singer. They are worlds apart regarding what they wanted to achieve, and what they did achieve, with music,

I think Bowie was quite a good singer (especially in the late 70s-onward) with a great baritone voice.

Freddie always sounded like Freddie - Bowie always tried to put on a different voice depending on the song which has always bugged me.

[QUOTE] [b]dysan wrote:[/b]

Just to add to my first post, as a massive Bowie fan, Freddie is obviously the better technical singer. They are worlds apart regarding what they wanted to achieve, and what they did achieve, with music,[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE] [b]dysan wrote:[/b]

Just to add to my first post, as a massive Bowie fan, Freddie is obviously the better technical singer. They are worlds apart regarding what they wanted to achieve, and what they did achieve, with music,[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE] [b]dysan wrote:[/b]

Just to add to my first post, as a massive Bowie fan, Freddie is obviously the better technical singer. They are worlds apart regarding what they wanted to achieve, and what they did achieve, with music,[/QUOTE]

I am not sure if an educated singer will say that he had a good singing technique. According to some it is not recommended to sing like him because its very hard on the voice. But I am glad he did it in his own way. He sounds fantastic. And Freddies register and potential is unmatched in Rock'n roll in my opinion. The power, range and emotion he had was incredible.