>>>>>>"Bad vocal chords" doesn't mean anything, if you can put across the song. I mean listen sometime to Tom Waits. Great vocal chords? Hardly. But the man can sing a song! Or try Dr. John, or Steve Tyrell.
>>>>>
>>>>>Bob Dylan maybe? {GD&R}
>>>>
>>>>Um.. yeah... not fair. After all, I did stipulate that one should be able to sing. ;)
>>>
>>>When it comes to vocal chords Fred Astaire and Louis Armstrong left much to be desired as far as the quality of their voices. However, they could deliver a song with great feeling.
>>
>>Absolutely. I was just trying to keep the names a little more contemporary. Fred Astaire was a favourite for a lot of song writers - Cole Porter among them, because his singing was so clear and his diction was so perfect. He actually had (afaic) a very pleasant and comfortable voice.
>>
>>Another good example from then would be Jack Teagarden. Truly a great singer without sounding anything like Bing Crosby.
>
>I saw Louis Armstrong, and Jack Teagarden perform together. They played their instruments and sang. The feeling of their singing was outstanding and I will not forget it.

You saw Teagarden live? Damn, now I have to kill you. I go through this with my mother. I've still never forgiven her having seen Mildred Bailey live.