which female artist has the best voice?

[snow]

which female artist-s has the best voice? in there respective genres of music of course. rock. pop. country/ bluegrass. jazz etc. albums as reference if possible please. try to keep it to 3 choices per style of music REGARDS SNOW

[ben62670]

I have really been enjoying Alison Krauss. Gives me goose bumps to hear her sing "go down to the river and pray".
My 3 year old daughter loves singing that song with her.



blue grass

[Lsi9]

The best Jazz voice is Ella Fitzgerald...$7.99 on Amazon for "Ella For Lovers"
Ella (http://www.amazon.com/Ella-Lovers-Fitzgerald/dp/B00007KN0N/sr=8-1/qid=1170645215/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-5090344-5314269?ie=UTF8&s=music)



But...My favorite all time female vocalist is Astrud Gilberto, (not really a trained voice)
Astrud (http://www.amazon.com/Astrud-Lovers-Gilberto/dp/B00011OR20/sr=1-1/qid=1170645357/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-5090344-5314269?ie=UTF8&s=music)

[dkg999]

How can you pick just one :confused: Even one per music category is tough! There are so many good ones! One of the new ones that I like a lot of her stuff is Mindy Smith.

[wingnut4772]

I really like Annie Lennox for voice.

[snow]

How can you pick just one :confused: Even one per music category is tough! There are so many good ones! One of the new ones that I like a lot of her stuff is Mindy Smith. yes its almost impossible to do, there are so many talented singers. perhaps your top 2-3 favorites in any particular genre then. BTW thanks for the mindy smith reference i listened to a couple of her songs a minute ago. very nice voice. i had never heard of her though until now. REGARDS SNOW

[pblanc]

Patsy Cline.

[madmax]

Marilyn Manson

[Ron-P]

Kylie Minogue. I can listen to her voice all day long, and then some.

[Early B.]

Dianne Reeves.

[GV#27]

Martina McBride,Amy Lee

[BottomFeeder]

Alison Krauss is, IMHO, a no brainer. Unique, haunting, clear voice.

Susan Ashton is amazing. Has a wonderfully expressive voice. Can sing anything - soft, emotive ballads, rock and can crank out the blues! Terrific!

[snow]

Alison Krauss is, IMHO, a no brainer. Unique, haunting, clear voice.

Susan Ashton is amazing. Has a wonderfully expressive voice. Can sing anything - soft, emotive ballads, rock and can crank out the blues! Terrific! i would have to agree with you and ben on alison krauss. i have a buddy here that is strictly rock and roll. nothing else. he was over a while back and was listening to what was playing at the time which happened to be her. so i loaned him the dvd for the weekend. hopefully it will make a convert. or at least broaden his horizons a little. there is so many great talents in all types of music that i cant listen to only 1 type. I enjoy them all depending on my mood, i may put on some jazz or the blues or classic rock or bluegrass. and my polks let me enjoy it all.:D REGARDS SNOW

[TroyD]

Eva Cassidy.

BDT

[heiney9]

Jewel...............anybody not see that coming!!!
(mostly based on live recordings)

But it is almost impossible to choose just 1. I seem to prefer female vocalists over male vocalists so I have so many female artists. But, Jewel seems to be the one I've fixated on for awhile now. She's just as easy on the eyes as she is on the ears.

[snow]

Jewel...............anybody not see that coming!!!
(mostly based on live recordings)

But it is almost impossible to choose just 1. I seem to prefer female vocalists over male vocalists so I have so many female artists. But, Jewel seems to be the one I've fixated on for awhile now. She's just as easy on the eyes as she is on the ears.(Jewel seems to be the one I've fixated on for awhile now.) hard not to fixate on her :D oh and btw she has a nice voice too:p REGARDS SNOW

[Ricardo]

There are so many good out there; I love female vocals; here are a couple that have great voices and probably no one would mention here:

Cristina Aguilera
Julie Andrews

[bikezappa]

Lots of great female singers on this list.

Here's one you may not have listened to, she wrote The Rose and sings it better then Bette

AMANDA MC BROOM

[jgido759]

Karen Carpenter (pop) & Ann Wilson (rock 'n' roll)

[shack]

Alison Krauss and Karen Carpenter have the best voices IMO. Sarah McLachlan, Kate Bush, LeAnn Rimes, Joan Osborne, Pat Benatar, Ann Wilson, Shirley Manson, Linda Ronstadt, Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner (among many others) are noteworthy.

[Rick88]

My favorites are: Jewel,Alison Krauss, Nanci Griffith if I can only pick three. Other notables to me are : Emmylou Harris, Sarah McLachlan, Natalie Merchant, Trisha Yearwood, Holly Cole, Norah Jones.

[sda2mike]

Marilyn Manson

&....i mean Prince!:p

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

Sarah Brightman

[zombie boy 2000]

Marilyn Manson

classic:D
Let the sweet song of that particular siren guide you to the rocky shores of an audio rock.

And as for Jewel, its hard for me to figure out if it's her or her snaggletooth singing the song.

My vote goes to Billie Holiday.

[schwarcw]

Alison Kraus. I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Diana Krall.

A lot of other noteworthy females as have been mentioned.

[dkg999]

I actually like a lot of stuff Jewel does also. It seems like when she is "on" with a song, it's very good. I have to keep the CDP remote handy to skip a few songs on her CD's.

[Ricardo]

Alison Kraus. I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Diana Krall.

A lot of other noteworthy females as have been mentioned.

Even though I like Diana Krall (have 5 of her CD's), I wouldn't say she has a very good voice....it's more her tone and style what makes her enjoyable, at least for me.

Here are others I like:

Jane Monheit
Erin Boheme
Diane Schuur
April Barrows
Madeleine Peyroux

[schwarcw]

Here are others I like: . . . Madeleine Peyroux

Ditto that Ricardo. I was thinking her, but for the reasons you listed for Diana I was thinking about for Madeleine LOL! She sounds a lot like Billie Holiday. She isn't the crooner that Krall is, at least for me. Diana makes me feel like she wants to tell me all of her wanton and lustful desires!!:eek:

[heiney9]

I actually like a lot of stuff Jewel does also. It seems like when she is "on" with a song, it's very good. I have to keep the CDP remote handy to skip a few songs on her CD's.

I agree somewhat with the studio releases. But I have about 25-30 live shows of hers and you can tell she perfected her craft by touring relentlessly when she was younger. I get chills sometimes when she sings on stage, that's where she is most comfortable. I will say one slight thing against her and that is her lyrical ability. At times it's playful and fun other times it can be just plain silly.

I am a Tori Amos fan as well and she takes it to the other extreme with her non-sense lyrics. Tori is an aquired taste as she is all over the place with her quirkyness. But a few of her albums are really accessable to the masses.

Others mentioned here like Holly Cole, Allison Krauss, Eva Cassidy, Sarah McLachlan, Etta James and many others certainly deserve mention. Long live female vocalists. I remember when the only female on the radio was Pat Benetar and she had to fight like hell to get that air time.

Norah Jones and Joss Stone have very unique voices and time will tell if they are considered "classic" later on in their career's.

[zombie boy 2000]

Oh god... I'm about to have to don my flame suit... but what the hell.

I love Bjork. I absolutely adore everything she does. Her vocal work on Vespertine is from a whole diffrerent universe -- which I think can be a good thing. The human voice as an "instrument" is a concept which needs to be turned on its head from time to time. I believe she does this to a startingly degree and as such, I always get drawn into whatever she is doing.

[shack]

Her vocal work on Vespertine is from a whole diffrerent universe -- which I think can be a good thing.

She is from a whole different universe...which can be a good thing if you like Extra-Terrestrials....

[heiney9]

Oh god... I'm about to have to don my flame suit... but what the hell.

I love Bjork. I absolutely adore everything she does. Her vocal work on Vespertine is from a whole diffrerent universe -- which I think can be a good thing. The human voice as an "instrument" is a concept which needs to be turned on its head from time to time. I believe she does this to a startingly degree and as such, I always get drawn into whatever she is doing.

I was into her for a little while when she was with the Sugarcubes. I actually saw them live in the late 80's early 90's at Summerfest in Wisconsin. I kind of grew away from her and her musical style. Still, when I hear her solo stuff as well as the Sugarcubes stuff, I still enjoy it.

[zombie boy 2000]

She is from a whole different universe...which can be a good thing if you like Extra-Terrestrials....

Then smack my ass and call me Elliot:D

[bikezappa]

a very tough test for any singer is to sing a cappella.

Today there are so many recording tricks used that they can make even me sound OK. Well maybe not.

Joan Biaz sang a cappella in her early days and still does today.

She should be on the list.

[zombie boy 2000]

I actually saw them live in the late 80's early 90's at Summerfest in Wisconsin. I kind of grew away from her and her musical style. Still, when I hear her solo stuff as well as the Sugarcubes stuff, I still enjoy it.

Love the Sugarcubes.. excellent band that doesn't get mentioned enough for that era.

Speaking of acapella, Bjork's last album Medulla was nothing but in the truest sense of the word.

All instruments, sounds, background music, beats were created by human voices. I feel that it was ultimately a failure, but a spectacular one at that.
Give her props for even attempting such a feat.

[bikezappa]

Love the Sugarcubes.. excellent band that doesn't get mentioned enough for that era.

Speaking of acapella, Bjork's last album Medulla was nothing but in the truest sense of the word.

All instruments, sounds, background music, beats were created by human voices. I feel that it was ultimately a failure, but a spectacular one at that.
Give her props for even attempting such a feat.

I did a quick listen, not my cup of tea.

I guess I meant solo a cappella.

[wingnut4772]

Oh god... I'm about to have to don my flame suit... but what the hell.

I love Bjork. I absolutely adore everything she does. Her vocal work on Vespertine is from a whole diffrerent universe -- which I think can be a good thing. The human voice as an "instrument" is a concept which needs to be turned on its head from time to time. I believe she does this to a startingly degree and as such, I always get drawn into whatever she is doing.
OMG my roommate loves the Sugar Cubes too. When she puts them on I just run and hide under the bed until it's over...:p

[zombie boy 2000]

Wow... somewhere both Prince and Bjork are crying and they don't know why.

Maybe, just maybe...

this is what it's like










when doves cry

[AndyGwis]

Fergie, hands down. Terrific voice and poetic lyrics. :)

[zombie boy 2000]

Some hobo in a back alley next to my house tried to "charge" me for teaching me his "milkshake". I still wake up at night in a cold sweat...

some things you just can't take out of your mind.

[Lsi9]

Vespertine is an amazing album, great album to listen to with a snowstorm outside. I like the scandinavian vibes in Bjork's music on this album

[glemay]

+1 for Sarah Brightman. She sounds fantastic on her DIVE album. Just amazing. I can listen to that cd over and over again.

[Poee7R]

For me its Jewel and Sara McGlaughlin.

Unfortunately for me though, i havent enjoyed any of her albums since "pieces of you". But that album is great. Actually one of my all time favorites.

I tryed Diana Krall about a week ago, i couldnt stay up through the album. Great for a sleep-aid though. ;)

[John K.]

Snow, I'll make a nomination in the classical category. I've heard a lot in about 40 years of serious listening, but nothing has impressed me as a more beautiful voice than this Anna Moffo performance (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000003ERS/ref=_olp_product_details/102-8774969-7390535?ie=UTF8&seller=) with Stokowski. Recently it's been reissued by Arkiv(without Stokowski's interesting notes, unfortunately). They're both gone and only God can command their performance now, but by owning the CD we can enjoy their artistry forever.

[BottomFeeder]

a very tough test for any singer is to sing a cappella.

Today there are so many recording tricks used that they can make even me sound OK. Well maybe not.

Joan Biaz sang a cappella in her early days and still does today.

She should be on the list.


Yea, Joan! "Diamonds & Rust" is one of my all time fav's!!!

[ben62670]

Prince

[Ricardo]

^^^^waaaaa.... :D :D :D ;)

[snow]

^^^^waaaaa.... :D :D :D ;) grow up guys geez .:rolleyes:

[Ferres]

Andrea Corr has a pretty good voice, like her rendition of 'Brid Og Ni Mhaille' with only her voice at the start.
Chloe from 'Celtic Women'.
Tracy Chapman.
Tori Amos 'Me and a Gun' rendition.
Sarah Brightman is an aquired taste, some of her tracks tend to get sibilant.

[daboyz]

Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood, and Jessica Simpson. Who needs a voice? Sorry, just like to look at 'em.

[Caerus]

Linda Ronstadt's performance with the Nelson Riddle band is awesome. I rate her top female vocal. All time favorite is Alison Krauss for sure, Bonnie Raitt, Jewel, Joni Mitchell and of course Norah Jones.

Corinne Bailey Rae is a new comer which I like very much so far. Check her out. ;)

[Danny Tse]

I am forever hooked on Olivia Newton-John's voice, which like herself, doesn't seem to age....

http://www.olivia-newtonjohn.com/images/photos/da71e412.jpghttp://www.olivia-newtonjohn.com/images/photos/8f423246.jpg

[danger boy]

Melissa Etheridge
Karen Carpenter
Natalie Cole
Annie Lennox
Ann Wilson
Sade
Patti LaBelle
Sheryl Crow
Aretha Franklin
Whitney Houston (in her day)
Oleta Adams
Pat Benatar

[jmwest1970]

I'm fond of Toni Braxton, Sade, Yolanda Adams, Michelle Williams, and, in her prime, Mariah Carey.

[jkn]

I always loved Cocteau Twins and Dead Can Dance (I don't feel like looking up their names right now).

Bjork has such a quirky, cool voice.

Christina Aguilera has an amazing voice. So does Beyonce.

Eh - names are escaping me this morning for some reason. I love a lot of female singers - from Motown to jazz to rock and ... anyway...

[Huck344]

After hearing Christina Aguilera do the James Brown cover last night on the Grammys, I have to add her to my list. I knew she could sing, but she totally went all out on that song.

Others
Sheryl Crow (love that smokey sound)
Alisha Keyes
Norah Jones

[Sansui]

Marilyn Manson
Laughing! 10 points for that one!

[Sansui]

Keep your ears open for Bianca Ryan. Here's a short sample of what she can do...at 11 years old. She's already signed a recording contract.

http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/video/index.shtml

[PolkWannabie]

Some others from further back ...

Grace Slick
Joan Baez
Janis Joplin

[pblanc]

You know, when I was younger and in college, I never, ever dreamed that one day I would be sitting around with a bunch of guys argueing about which female had the best voice. VOICE?!??

[mantis]

Barbra Striesand
Lorenna Mckennitt
Norah Jones

In that order

Dan

[pblanc]

Well, that just goes to show "to each his or her own". To me, Babs sounds like she just got her tit caught in the washer wringer.

[adam2434]

As mentioned - Aretha Franklin, Billie Holiday, and Patsy Cline - their talent and style will not be duplicated.

Also have to mention k.d. lang - I only own her Live by Request DVD, but that's enough for me to know that she's got some serious chops.

[pblanc]

I would have to agree with you on all three counts, but would rate Patsy #1, Aretha #2, Billie #3 ( and Peggy Lee honorable mention).

[daboyz]

Did RuPaul ever sing?

[bikezappa]

You know, when I was younger and in college, I never, ever dreamed that one day I would be sitting around with a bunch of guys argueing about which female had the best voice. VOICE?!??


Just wait to see what you will be doing in ten yeras from now.

[pblanc]

Probably in the nursing home, drooling, and arguing with the "boys" over which nurse gives the best enema.

[powerlord]

There are so many good out there; I love female vocals; here are a couple that have great voices and probably no one would mention here:

Cristina Aguilera
Julie Andrews

You speak the truth! Aguilera is hands down in the top five,people just don't realize.:o

[Nelson57]

I would add Sarah Vaughn's to the list.

[fazer]

I would have to say the single most incredible female voice in music today is
Karin Bergquist of Over The Rhine.

If have not heard them please do so.

[steveinaz]

Alison Krauss and Karen Carpenter have the best voices IMO. Sarah McLachlan, Kate Bush, LeAnn Rimes, Joan Osborne, Pat Benatar, Ann Wilson, Shirley Manson, Linda Ronstadt, Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner (among many others) are noteworthy.

BING-frickin-GO Shack-master, exactly what I was thinking.

[pblanc]

Although Joni Mitchell may not have the best voice to a purist, I love to listen to her sing. Agree with Karen Carpenter, Pat Benatar, Joan Osborne, and I believe Ella Fitzgerald has been mentioned more than once.

[shack]

Carly Simon could sing pretty good as well. I haven't heard any of her recent stuff but I have several of her early albums.

[bikezappa]

I think I read or heard some where that many of the great women singers of the past and present had the ability to sing at a lower range. If I remember correctly they used Judy Garland as one of the examples. Wish I could remember more about that story.

[Lsi9]

Its amazing that no one else besides me has mentioned Ella Fitzgerald, I f you have not heard her, please do so. While Billie Hoiday is great she can't hold a candle to Ella.

[Bill Ayotte]

How about Joss Stone or Amy Lee? They are from different genres, but they both have amazing voices. Joss Stone was called the next Aretha Franklin in a couple of reviews.

[markmarc]

Allison Krauss currently has the purist voice in music. Historically speaking several come to mind, it's just too bad the recording equipment was so primative for greats like Billie Holliday, etc.

For straight rock n roll in the past 20 years Melissa Etheridge gets my vote, followed by Annie Lennox.

[snow]

Wow some really great replys here. It has turned into a great thread for me at least. Some names i wasnt aware of but now i have the oppurtunity to listen to. Others i have listened to and they bring back good memorys. GREAT JOB GUYS REGARDS SNOW

[pblanc]

Billie Holliday was hampered early in her career by mediocre recording equipment. Toward the end of her career her voice was gone through self-abuse.

[MLZ]

Prudence Johnson has a distinctive and wonderful silky voice, especially on jazz standards.
My wife & I often listen to Prairie Home Companion while cooking dinner on Saturday evenings and Prudence is a regular on that show and sings all genres. We heard her live with Garrison Keeler a few years back and so I started searching for her recordings and found several excellent jazz CDs. “Moon Country: The Music of Hoagy Carmichael” is in heavy rotation at our house – last night my wife commented that she was her favorite singer. We also listen to “S'Gershwin” often.
Her albums are well worth the search.

[BrickBryan]

IMO Norah Jones. Great voice and sexy as hell, with that shy not wanting to look into the camera look. MMM MMM mmm.

[surfntomm]

you guys should break out of the norm from the ella and norah and try some regina spektor and amy winehouse. a bit of a newer sound so some of you old folks might not dig it but great voices none the less. go www.allmusic.com and type in their names to listen to a free sample.

[lancer]

Eva Cassidy.

BDT

I'm not saying she's the best (there are so many good female artist) but those that haven't heard her should give her a listen. Amy Lee, Allison Krauss, Celine Dion, Jewel, Karen Carpenter, etc

[dkg999]

Just spent an enjoyable evening listening to Margo Timmons and the Cowboy Junkies. For what she lacks in vocal ability she makes up for in spirit and connection with the song.

[Hi-Buy]

I have to go with norah.

[fatchowmein]

+2 Sarah Brightman. Remember those "Is it live or is it Memorex" ads where the champagne flute shatters? Makes me think of Brightman.

I also love listening to Norah Jones, Natalie Merchant, Ella Fitgerald, Diana Krall, Chrissie Hynde, Annie Lennox, Nelly Furtado, and Gwen Stefani. All great voices but in the end, I can only endure so many hours of one particular voice which is why I have a playlist labeled "Divas".

Okay, must confess I can listen to Krall forever. :p

[treitz3]

Snow, you suck! Where you at bro?

[cmy330go]

For amazing range and power it's hard to beat:
Barbra Streisand
Eva Cassidy
Whitney Houston

Some of my personal favorites though are:
Eva Cassidy
Diana Krall
Schuyler Fisk (Amazing Live)

[cmy330go]

Billie Holliday was hampered early in her career by mediocre recording equipment. Toward the end of her career her voice was gone through self-abuse.

:eek: Maybe that's why I can't sing.:confused:

:D:D:D

[vonnie123]

Karen Carpenter is hard to match. Natalie Merchant from 10,000 Maniacs has a real special voice as well.

[Lasareath]

Bjork
Lita Ford
Gwen Stefani
Doro Pesch
Amy Winehouse

[danger boy]

RuPaul has the best female voice I think :eek: :p

[candyliquor35m]

I tip my hat to Amy Winehouse. Her cd Frank is mauvalous.

[wingnut4772]

I tip my hat to Amy Winehouse. Her cd Frank is mauvalous.

Yep. Too bad she is such a train wreck.

[candyliquor35m]

I thought about that too when I was posting. Hopefully she'll get back on track.

[JDOGG]

In the rock category, I guess, I really like Tarja Turunens voice, ex lead singer of Nightwish.

[candee82]

:D....yeah -- i agree, people are basically getting sick of the same old rock/hip-hop/r&b bullsh*t..... and there is just this big upsurge from a new style coming out of Europe -- best place i've found it so far is a compilation series called 'euro club hits' on itunes -- or check this link: :rolleyes:http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZSearch.woa/wa/advancedSearchResults?albumTerm=Euro+Club+Hits+Vol +

[bluzrip]

spam

[wingnut4772]

spam

Yep.He keeps trying to peddle that crap.

[Ron Temple]

Club jazz - Patricia Barber, honorable mention Sarah MacGlacklan, Fiona Apple. I like Joni Mitchell too, more for her composing skill and what she does with her voice in her music. Can't believe some of you like Bjork :p.

[OmegaSupreme]

Pop: Jessica Simpson, Christina Aguilera, Shakira. Popera: Sarah Brightman, Lesley Garrett. R&B: Mariah Carey, Christina Milian. Not sure what genre she fits into but I'm really liking Amy Winehouse right now. Love the retro sound she has. Is that Jazz?

[Sami]

Has or had? If the late artists are also included then there it's easy. The best of all times is still Edith Piaf.

[obieone]

IMO, the best femal vocalist, of almost any genre(with the exception of opera)
would probably be Aretha Franklin.

[fbm211]

I like marie serneholt.

[schwarcw]

I tip my hat to Amy Winehouse. Her cd Frank is mauvalous.

I liked Amy's "Back to Black", but some of the songs I couldn't understand. What language was she speaking?

[demaples]

I like Tony Braxton, Sade, Nora Jones.

[treitz3]

For me, it's a tie between Norah, Sarah and Evanescence. Tony, Pat, Jewel, the ladies of Heart, Rebecca Pidgeon, Christy and a few others also come to mind. The first three can sing me to sleep any day of the week.

[steveinaz]

Karen Carpenter

[MacLeod]

My 3 favorites:

Tarja Turunen

http://youtube.com/watch?v=fsz6bOIuKJc

Sissel

http://youtube.com/watch?v=pdgZP9Sca2c

Hayley Westenra

http://youtube.com/watch?v=zucZ5LEuTcI

[Norm Apter]

+1 for Fiona Apple
No has mentioned Sinead O'Connor...I'd put her up there.
Cat Power

And while some folks may be pokin' fun at Prince, did anybody hear his absolutely amazing falsetto in his cover of Radiohead's Creep at the recent Coachella concert? Male or female, might be one of the finest lyrical live bits ever recorded...check it out if you're a fan of either Prince or Radiohead or (like me) both.

[Zero]

Wow, what a loaded question.

Karen Carpenter has one of the most natural voices these ears have heard. That said, there are plenty of great female vocalists;

Tarja Turunen and Anna Netrebko are great opera vocalists
Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston were great dynamic pop vocalists
Sarah McLachlan has a great soothing pop voice
Allison Krauss, Emmylou Harris, and Patsy Cline are great country vocalists..
I also love Loreena McKennitt, Yma Sumac, Alicia Keys, and even Eryka Badu's unique styling.
And of course, who can discount the classics? Ella Fitzgerald, Eartha Kitt, Dinah Washington, Eva Cassidy?

So many good one's...

[shadowofnight]

Dolores O'Riordan of The Cranberries ....I can let No need to Argue run all the way through anytime.

There was this other singer from the late 80's early 90's...I couldnt remember her name until looking it up just now....whose album was called Always...was recorded extremely clean and had awesome bass...but her voice was great too . No wonder I couldnt remember her name...its Pebbles :p

Her first album was a bit too pop for me, but this ( Always ) second one is not only a great listening recording , its a great system workout too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kl-paDdmVMU&feature=related

[demaples]

How about Celine Deon and Bonnie Raitt?

[Texas42]

Rock- Pat Benetar (she actually sounds great on slow ballads as well)

Classic Voice- Linda Ronstadt (hate her politics, love her voice)

Bluegrass- Alison Krauss

Most 'heavenly voice'- Hard to pick one, so I'll pick several: Annie Haslam, Sarah Brightman, Loreena McKennitt, Moya Brennan (and her sister- Enya)

Jazz- Mindi Abair, Patricia Barber, Diana Krall

Pop- Karen Carpenter, Stevie Nicks

Ok, so I didn't pick just one...

[demaples]

Ditto on Linda Ronstadt, Dionne Warwick, Leann Rimes, Anita Baker, Sara Evans, Faith Hill could come sing to me anytime, Whitney Houston was good in her day, Wynonna Judd.... 1,2,3..... Oh well, I can't count either.

[fossy]

ann wilson of heart was a fav of mine back in the day -- well still is

aretha franklin -- can't go wrong there

stevie nicks-- oo so nice

[pietro944]

1.Alison Krause
2.Eva Cassidy
3.Jane Monheit(listen to her version of "Over the Rainbow)

[malcolmp6]

Alison Krauss

[ESavinon]

Renee Fleming.

[ESavinon]

Enya.

[ESavinon]

Sade.

[LushMojo]

Alison Krauss. Hands down.

[ben62670]

How can you pick just one :confused: Even one per music category is tough! There are so many good ones! One of the new ones that I like a lot of her stuff is Mindy Smith.

Wow Doug. I just listened to some tracks from one moment more, and I am absolutely floored. I haven't had emotions pulled from me like that from any other artist. It is on its way.
Thanks
Ben

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_jG2SXlkpU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuRvVKyKkJ0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcDBgXbGskc

[dorokusai]

Cfrizz Live @ Budokan

[TouchOfEvil]

checking the mindy smith. nice.

[ND13]

Glad to see a few Fiona Apple fans out there.

[mantis]

Barbra Streisand as I'm not a huge fan of her, well actually I do enjoy listening to her , my Mom loves her. My mom can sing all of her songs very very well.
She is an incredible Singer and I would love to see her live.

Then there is Lorenna McKinnett which I'm sure I spelled her name wrong but she has such a powerful and beautiful voice. She can comfort you when your feeling lost or down. She can allow you to go deep into here music with her incredible song writing and story telling. I love this women.
Another I would love to see live.

I have many female women singers in my life but these 2 are the best of the best.

Dan

[John30_30]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkjBNgQG23I

[John30_30]

dangit, how do you embed youtube?

[Face]

dangit, how do you embed youtube?You can only embed in the Clubhouse.

As for my contribution, Nora Jones and Regina Spektor on occasion.

[John30_30]

You can only embed the best female vocalist in the Clubhouse?

Roger that.

[MSALLA]

Thats a rough call. There is so many past and present. I don't even know who I would put at the top of the list.

[skrol]

Some of my favorites (not in any order):
Allison Krauss, Nora Jones, Lucy Kaplansky, Nancy Griffith, Karen Carpenter, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Julie Gold, Tori Amos, Sara Hickman, Lillie Palmer, Patty Larkin, Cheryl Wheeler, Natalie Merchant, Susan Ashton, Susan Vega, Amie Mann, Sheryl Crow, Tracy Chapman... I know that I have forgotten some.

Oh yeah, my wife! Although, you won't find her on any record label, you might catch her live occasionally in church or around our house.

[ben62670]

Snora Jones makes me want to stick a fork in my eye.

[skrol]

That's what happens when artists become over popularized. It isn't that they are bad, it's just that you get tired of hearing them.

[bikezappa]

That's what happens when artists become over popularized. It isn't that they are bad, it's just that you get tired of hearing them.

How many times can the artist sing the same song?

Forever it appears if the money is there.

[Tour2ma]

Of those mentioned I'd have to put Karen Carpenter and Linda Ronstadt in a sing-off. It'd kinda be a purity vs. power match up...

Other personal fav's that were listed:

- Joni Mitchell,
- Sinead O'Connor,
- Dolores O'Riordan of The Cranberries, and
- Pat Benetar.


Couple others I feel were overlooked:

- Dusty Springfield,
- Emmylou Harris,
- Dionne Warwick, and
.... wait for it...
- Donna Summer. Disco or not, the lady could sing...

[chumlie]

LeAnn Rimes.

[gdb]

Eva Cassidy

[Rick88]

To name just a few of my favorites (in no particular order except the first one listed is my favorite):

Linda Ronstadt, Diana Krall, Norah Jones, Natalie Cole, Aretha Franklin, Emmylou Harris, Shelby Lynne, Allison Moorer, Jewel, Natalie Merchant, Sarah McLachlan, Nanci Griffith, Shawn Colvin, Holly Cole, Joss Stone, Adele, Patty Loveless, Trisha Yearwood, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynne, Pat Benatar, Anne Wilson of Heart, Joan Baez, Melody Gardot, Etta James, Patty Griffin, Patty Larkin, Alison Krauss, Billy Holiday, Sarah Vaughn, Dusty Springfield, Suzanne Vega, Grace Slick, Janis Joplin, Joan Osborne, Corinne Bailey Rae, Carly Simon, Ella Fitzgerald, Margo Timmins.


Yes, I like female singers a bunch. I'm sure I left a hundred or so out... :cheesygrin:

[chumlie]

To name just a few of my favorites (in no particular order except the first one listed is my favorite):

Linda Ronstadt, Diana Krall, Norah Jones, Natalie Cole, Aretha Franklin, Emmylou Harris, Shelby Lynne, Allison Moorer, Jewel, Natalie Merchant, Sarah McLachlan, Nanci Griffith, Shawn Colvin, Holly Cole, Joss Stone, Adele, Patty Loveless, Trisha Yearwood, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynne, Pat Benatar, Anne Wilson of Heart, Joan Baez, Melody Gardot, Etta James, Patty Griffin, Patty Larkin, Alison Krauss, Billy Holiday, Sarah Vaughn, Dusty Springfield, Suzanne Vega, Grace Slick, Janis Joplin, Joan Osborne, Corinne Bailey Rae, Carly Simon, Ella Fitzgerald, Margo Timmins.


Yes, I like female singers a bunch. I'm sure I left a hundred or so out... :cheesygrin: I'm surprised i posted before you on this thread. You forgot Nicolet Larson & Marianne Faithful.

[Rick88]

I'm surprised I posted before you on this thread. You forgot Nicolet Larson & Marianne Faithful.

Yes I did forget those two, and I love them both. I did post in this thread a few pages back, before I fell back in love with Linda Ronstadt, and have since discovered many more... :wink:

[chumlie]

Yes I did forget those two, and I love them both. I did post in this thread a few pages back, before I fell back in love with Linda Ronstadt, and have since discovered many more... :wink: My bad. Didn't see your earlier post.

[Rick88]

My bad. Didn't see your earlier post.

I had forgotten I had posted in this thread, though it was 5 years ago. After I made my post earlier I went through and read the whole thread.

[headrott]

How about Joni Mitchell's Cactus Tree!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=FMszEPnstgQ

Or, Natalie Merchant's Maggie, Millie, Molly and Mae

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LPzR28tWkI&feature=player_detailpage

Both great vocal performances and female vocalists.

Greg

[Rick88]

I just thought of a few of my very favorites that I left out: Lucinda Williams, Bonnie Raitt, and Gillian Welch.

[chumlie]

Pointer Sisters. Oh yeah. Forgot about Bette Middler.

[headrott]

Thought of another one:

Tori Amos's Song For Eric. Phenominal vocal performance!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7PLgFLPvjc&feature=player_detailpage

Greg

[Rick88]

Thought of another one:

Tori Amos's Song For Eric. Phenominal vocal performance!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnZU7MdEuGo

Greg

My work pc will not allow me to view youtube videos, I'll have to check out the ones you posted when I get home this morning. Thanks for posting them...

[chumlie]

One More. Judy Garland. Oh yes u do.

[headrott]

My work pc will not allow me to view youtube videos, I'll have to check out the ones you posted when I get home this morning. Thanks for posting them...

Rick, make sure you listen to the version I edited in my post. The one you quoted in your post doesn't sound as good, so I changed the link. Click on the link in my post for the Tori song. Phenominal!! This song is recorded live too!!!:biggrin::eek:

Greg

[mantis]

Loreena Mckennitt

[George Grand]

Sarah Vaughan or Dinah Washington you pilgrims. I love watching the flavors of the month pop up. These two probably sold more records than the rest of your choices combined.

[Tankman]

Karen Carpenter. One in a Million Voice!

[George Grand]

And Buddy Rich's favorite drummer.

[timalan]

Wow, I know I'm coming into an old (though recently revived) thread. I had on some Susan Ashton last night to help break in some new speakers... my wife had never heard of her. I saw her in concert what has to be close to fifteen years ago. Really is an amazing voice.


Alison Krauss is, IMHO, a no brainer. Unique, haunting, clear voice.

Susan Ashton is amazing. Has a wonderfully expressive voice. Can sing anything - soft, emotive ballads, rock and can crank out the blues! Terrific!

[SDA1C]

Imm'a Have to go with Linda Perry or my all time favorite....Grace Potter.

[Timothy Smith]

Kate Bush.

Crazy.
Crazy good voice, crazy beautiful, crazy good song writer, crazy good lyics, crazy dancer, crazy smart, crazy good videos.

[gdb]

Moms Mabley, without a doubt !6565965658

<iframe width="853" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0pzS7jSS3VE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[deronb1]

For me!.....Nora Jones.

[Timothy Smith]

Kate Bush.

Crazy.
Crazy good voice, crazy beautiful, crazy good song writer, crazy good lyics, crazy dancer, crazy smart, crazy good videos.


Yes,

And Moms Mabley

[deronb1]

Oh, also Christine McVie......even if she looks like Pete Townshend.

[gdb]

Dat's Fugly !:eek:

[gdb]

Sorry Christine McVie.... i prefer Eva's rendition !6566565666

<iframe width="640" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/AFFo1pu4q7Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Polkie2009]

+1 on Eva Cassidy, she could run circles around most singers out there, but alas, she passed away. Very few singers have perfect pitch and I'm not sure if Eva had it or not. I do believe I've read where that Jo Stafford had it. Hayley Westenra, top Kiwi talent, definitely_ has perfect pitch. Wish I knew how to link songs to youtube here. Check out her version of Songbird and also Dark Waltz.

[gdb]

You just click on "share" then click "embed", right click the blue text and hit "copy". Then "paste" here.
<iframe width="640" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZFdcSRXU2ro" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[gudnoyez]

Ann Wilson, Norah Jones, Annie Lennox, the late Etta James, Alison Krauss, I can get Lost listening to the First Norah Jones Cd love that one.

[HHStuart]

DIDO, Sarah McLachlan, Loreena McKennit, Enya
Nancy Griffith
Annie Lennox
Nina Simone for the blues

[deronb1]

Ann Wilson, Norah Jones, Annie Lennox, the late Etta James, Alison Krauss, I can get Lost listening to the First Norah Jones Cd love that one.

Nora's first album does it for me too. Every song is right on. Very well recorded too.

[Tour2ma]

Another I think was overlooked.... Anita Baker. Something like 5-foot-nothing of vocal dynamite...

[Uilleann]

Mary Dillon - period. :)

http://youtu.be/zG-auzaZvjc

[steveinaz]

I need to add K.D. Lang. Don't know what happen to the gal after Ingenue--but her voice was smoooooth.

If you want to hear SDA's in all their glory, cue up "Constant Craving" the vocals are mesmerizing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXqPjx94YMg&ob=av2e

[Timothy Smith]

My first thought was Kate Bush.

But add Beth Gibbons from Portishead (how cool is it to mostly sing with your eyes closed while smoking a cigarette) and Linda Thompson (Ex-Wife of the great Richard Thompson).

There is just something about strange English girls.

[Tour2ma]

+1 on Beth... her vocals atop Portishead's rhythmic backdrop is an awesome combo...

Add Tracey Thorn's name (Everything but the Girl) to the quirky Brit list...

[luxun54]

Some of my favorites are: Jazz: Bessie Smith; Folk: Eva Cassidy; Rock: Annie Haslam (both in Renaissance days and more recent); International/Rock: Fiorella Mannoia (Italy).

[scottyboy76]

Portishead is THE band I have meant to purchase some music of, and just never think of it until the next time i hear some of their stuff.

Love their sound, any tips on where to start in their library?

[Timothy Smith]

I would just go ahead and buy:

"Dummy" 1994
"Portishead" 1997
"Third" 2008 (my favorite)

If you like them, they get into your brain and you will likely put them into heavy rotation.

There is also a live concert DVD "Roseland NYC 1998" that you can rent from Netflix.

[Tour2ma]

Portishead ... any tips on where to start in their library?
For me, hands down it's Dummy. Besides being unique and hauntingly beautiful, track to track it is one of the most consistent bass work outs I know of. And each track seems to outdo the prior one until "Numb", which will rattle windows...

Funny thing is I bought the CD on a flyer solely because of the airplay "Sour Times" got. It was simply "ear-grabbing". I mean, how many groups employ a hammer dulcimer? Funny thing is no other track on the CD sounds like "Sour Times". Everything else is even better.


"Dummy" 1994
"Portishead" 1997
"Third" 2008 (my favorite)

There is also a live concert DVD "Roseland NYC 1998" that you can rent from Netflix.
I was seriously disappointed in their S/T 2nd release (sophomore jinx maybe?). May have to check out Third though.... which is actually their 4th due to their live Roseland release... which is also available on a CD titled PYNC.

I don't have PYNC, as it drew mostly from their S/T 2nd release, but some reviews say the orchestral treatment improved that material.

[Timothy Smith]

Portishead is definitely some "trippy shit".

The bass lines get in your head, you start humming the songs out of nowhere at all times day and night.

Beth Gibbon's voice comes from some strange place deep down inside.

I wish they had 10, or 20, or more albums. If you don't have "Third", you have a real treat coming.

[Ron-P]

You'll be hard pressed to find a better female voice then that of Simone Simon of Epica.

[PolkClyde]

I Like Aretha Franklin's Voice When she was Younger.

[concealer404]

I like Karen Overton, but i'm afraid she'd be classified under "flavor of the month."

[bmenary]

I love Bonnie raite

[steveinaz]

Agree, Bonnie Raite has that sultry, soulful character---very nice.

[halo71]

I like Sarah McLachlan and Norah Jones to name a few....

[Tour2ma]

I love Bonnie raite
Her early LP's were stellar with '72's Give It Up my personal fav. Track 5, "Love Me Like a Man", is Bonnie at her bluesiest best.

Saw her perform three times in the early 70's with Little Feat opening and doubling as her back up band. Great shows all...

[Bubinga99]

Haven't read the whole thread, but one I just heard on one of the Music Choice channels that I liked her voice/style was Jane Monheit. Anyone familiar with her work and can recommend a favorite album?

PS: what ever happened to the lady that was the voice on Pink Floyd's "Great Gig in the Sky?"
THAT was a voice! Can't remember her name at the moment...

[Bubinga99]

This new release looks like it has some potential if you want a variety, though kinda pricey:

"Best Audiophile Voices" (XRCD Master), Volume I, II, III (released date January 2012)
Link to volume I:
http://www.amazon.com/Best-Audiophile-Voices-Vol-Master/dp/B000JSDMLC/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1328989162&sr=1-1

[Polkie2009]

So many good singers from different genres of music here. I don't know if many of you young people here have ever heard of Taylor Dayne, but in her day and genre, she ruled MTV. Check her out, she'd kick ass on most of the pop singers out there today.

[Phillyphan801]

The gal from the Moldy Peaches

[Phillyphan801]

Whitney Houston, too. RIP

[gdb]

Her early LP's were stellar with '72's Give It Up my personal fav. Track 5, "Love Me Like a Man", is Bonnie at her bluesiest best.

Saw her perform three times in the early 70's with Little Feat opening and doubling as her back up band. Great shows all...

Saw a great show of her's at Wolftrap in VA. with the Fabulous Thunderbirds as the openers!

[Phillyphan801]

Tracy Chapman up there too. She's pretty amazing.

[Toolfan66]

Adele...

Melissa Etheridge...

Joss Stone...