Dylan decided that he wanted to be unique and instantly identifiable, so he adopted that odd singing style. Itās not his natural voice. Donovan copied that from him.
Tom Waits and Cohen are natural baritones, and both storytellers. Their voices, whilst not technically perfect, define their personas. Nick Cave is dreadfully flat most of the time, but when we hear it, we know instantly that itās him. He also tells stories (mostly, admittedly, banal).
What people perceive as affected whininess from Neil Young is actually his natural voice. Heās out of tune most of the time. But who cares? He writes great songs.
And good singing can be learned. Myself, as an example, could never be a soprano Thatās physiological. but I have, through years of practice, at least learned how to hold a tune and sing in key.
I think itās a lot more about passion and will than genetics. If you donāt want to be a great pianist, painter, etc., then you wonāt be.
Let us not forget dear Kateā¦ This must also be the cheapest music video.ever filmed too.
āKate wear this red dress , take this mushroom tea, and sing on the Moors at first light.ā
This is right about the time when Bianca caught Mick and Dave in bed, dancing in the sheetsā¦NOT that thereās anything wrong with that! whewā¦almost got cancelled!