Singers with strong accents

[Happy Jack 4,257]

So Lennon and McCartney's scouser accent doesn't make the grade for this topic?

 

[Lozz196 4,710]

Mark of Booze & Glory’s Polish accent is quite strong on some of their songs.

[Mykesbass 959]

4 minutes ago, Happy Jack said:

So Lennon and McCartney's scouser accent doesn't make the grade for this topic?

 

Not really that strong are they? (Sorry, not a fan so haven't listened that closely).

[MrCrane 453]

Levon Helm

 

[SpondonBassed 7,138]

Tom Waits.

[Happy Jack 4,257]

4 minutes ago, Mykesbass said:

Not really that strong are they? (Sorry, not a fan so haven't listened that closely).

 

[Jus Lukin 2,559]

Kevin Bloody Wilson...

[Mykesbass 959]

1 minute ago, Happy Jack said:

 

OK, but that sounds like a bit of a spoof. Not so noticeable on their better known stuff was it?

[Shaggy 550]

The Wurzles?

My feeling is regional accents (of whatever country) will always add to the feeling and authenticity of a song - thinking Lindisfarne, Amy MacDonald, Mary Hopkin etc,  and good examples in previous posts.  

What can really irritate are blatant put-on accents (UB40’s mock Jamaican springs very much to mind) - exception is Chrissie Hynde’s luscious singing voice which has always sounded distinctly accented French to me, although I believe she comes from Akron Ohio......

[pete.young 908]

Alex Harvey.

Dolly Parton.

[TheGreek 5,417]

Yellowman, Shaggy, Papa Levi.......add your own Reggae artist

[Reggaebass 4,123]

18 minutes ago, TheGreek said:

Yellowman, Shaggy, Papa Levi.......add your own Reggae artist

Eek a mouse ☝️

[LiamPodmore 52]

Ross from Fatherson and Simon from Biffy Clyro are the first ones that spring to mind.

[Doctor J 2,140]

Snow

 

[shorthand 2]

Billy Bragg?

[phil.c60 277]

11 hours ago, casapete said:

The Proclaimers - caused quite a stir when they first surfaced as few (in pop and rock music anyway) had sung in such broad Scottish accents. After first seeing them on ‘The Tube’ I loved them immediately, instantly recognisable and with great songs too. 

Some music genres seem to suit regional accents more than others - obviously folk being one of them. I can’t imagine Kate Rusby or say The Unthanks using anything other than their own accents. Rock n roll, being thought of as primarily American in origin, means that most people covering it usually adopt a transatlantic style of phrasing. Not sure whether this is really correct, but after many years few question it being done. 

Just had to put "Sunshine On Leith"  - playing as I type this........

[casapete 1,480]

6 minutes ago, phil.c60 said:

Just had to put "Sunshine On Leith"  - playing as I type this........

A brilliant song. Have to be careful when I play it though, as it can get to me big time. Beautiful pedal steel by Gerry Hogan too.

[mikel 1,912]

11 hours ago, MrCrane said:

Kate Rusby

 

Aye, good old Kate. Her version of Village green preservation society is wonderful. I lover her accent when she sings "Donald Duck" in that song.

[BlueMoon 234]

Ricky Ross - Deacon Blue

[Jus Lukin 2,559]

11 hours ago, TheGreek said:

Shaggy

What a voice!

11 hours ago, pete.young said:

Dolly Parton.

That's an interesting one- Dolly Parton herself has a beautiful singing voice which, pitch aside, is identical to her speaking voice. Technical proficiency and authenticity- and those songs! Hats off to her.

It does raise the question of country music in this thread though. One could suggest that it is a genre which demands an 'authentic' accent to such a degree that everyone puts one on! There is certainly a way to sing country, although the country scene has long been made up of people from across the US, and beyond.

[police squad 507]

Both Frida and Agnetta from Abba

Klaus from the Scorpions

 

[mikel 1,912]

12 hours ago, Mykesbass said:

OK, but that sounds like a bit of a spoof. Not so noticeable on their better known stuff was it?

It was when George too lead vocals.

[mikel 1,912]

The Unthank sisters, wonderful Northumbrian vowels.

[uk_lefty 1,216]

55 minutes ago, Jus Lukin said:

What a voice!

That's an interesting one- Dolly Parton herself has a beautiful singing voice which, pitch aside, is identical to her speaking voice. Technical proficiency and authenticity- and those songs! Hats off to her.

It does raise the question of country music in this thread though. One could suggest that it is a genre which demands an 'authentic' accent to such a degree that everyone puts one on! There is certainly a way to sing country, although the country scene has long been made up of people from across the US, and beyond.

Agreed. Country would be wrong any other way, and I think some of the rhymes and the feel rely on the accent and slang that just wouldn't work otherwise. I have a friend who moved to the US many years ago. He is determined to keep his Yorkshire accent but he says American things and uses American slang. Its weird. 

[BigRedX 2,397]

I don't think you can count anyone whose first language is not English or American.

Edited November 6, 2020 by BigRedX