What's that vocal effect? Or is it natural?

Question

I'm an AVP n00b, so bare with me. I've been wondering about a vocal sound that I'm very fond of. Some vocalists over the years have been using it, but it's not really that common. The sound is very soft, full-bodied and has a sort emphasis on making the consonant sounds really soft. My question is: Do they have these voices all natural, or is it some effect that they are using, that could be applied to any voice? (flang effect maybe?)

Here are two examples:

John Grant - Queen of Denmark http://open.spotify.com/track/77jhNH7WU1qR60BlDOZpGh

Gerry Rafferty - Right Down The Line http://open.spotify.com/track/2Xb6wJYGi0QXwURw5WWvI5

Answer 1

For the Gerry Rafferty one, it sounds like he might be using a mild chorus effect, but aside from that I can't hear anything else - it's just his voice.

A chorus can make a vocal sound fuller, as if you had your voice multi-tracked at slightly varying pitch.

Answer 2

The John Grant song samples linked from the comment are a mixture of chorus, short delays, and reverb. I don't see the connection between the effects I mainly hear and your "soft consonants" observation.

My best guess is you should research compression and/or vocal doubling (and pop filters if you need one) to achieve the sound you want.