Your top 5 favorite female vocalists?

geowak · « **on:** 3 Nov 2008, 03:21 am »

I have posted this before some time back, but it was a fun topic. I find some female vocalists to have a wonderful sounding voice. It's a bonus when there are quality lyrics to go with their sweet pipes.

Who are your top five? Here are mine- (not in order)

1 Natalie Merchant
2 Diana Krall
3 Eva Cassidy
4 Sara Mclaughlan
5 Allison Krauss

Some past favorites....

1 Jessica Andrews
2 Lisa Gerrard (Dead Can Dance)
3 Norah Jones
4 Aimee Mann
5 Vienna Teng
6 Sarah Brightman
7 Sade
8 Hope Sandoval (Mazzy Star)

chadh · « **Reply #1 on:** 3 Nov 2008, 03:40 am »

Aretha Franklin
Cassandra Wilson
Billy Holiday
Ella Fitzgerald
Cleo Laine

Chad

TONEPUB · « **Reply #2 on:** 3 Nov 2008, 03:49 am »

Chrissie Hynde
Patti Smith
Anja Garbarek
Laurie Anderson
Aimee Mann

jimdgoulding · « **Reply #3 on:** 3 Nov 2008, 03:58 am »

Impressionists Joni Mitchell and Jane Siberry. Jazz singers Sarah Vaughn and Carmen McRae. White girl blues belters Tracy Nelson and Angela Strehli.

Tyson · « **Reply #4 on:** 3 Nov 2008, 04:45 am »

Ani DiFranco, Cat Power, Ella, Billie, Nina Simone.

satfrat · « **Reply #5 on:** 3 Nov 2008, 04:58 am »

Emile-Claire Barlow

Lyndon · « **Reply #6 on:** 3 Nov 2008, 05:47 am »

All good singers mentioned above.
Mary McCaslin
"Old Friends"
Took the image from a weaker album because I liked it.
Check out Pinball Wizard with banjo accompaniment.

http://www.amazon.com/Old-Friends-Mary-McCaslin/dp/B0000003QN/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1225691483&sr=8-3

Captain Humble · « **Reply #7 on:** 3 Nov 2008, 12:19 pm »

TOP 5 FAVORITE FEMALE VOCALISTS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER:
Ann Wilson - Heart
Astrid Gilberto
Diana Krall
Janis Joplin
Melody Gardot - She's getting the most spins right now

HONORABLE MENTION IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER:
Alison Krauss
Anjani
Etta James
Grace Slick
Kate Walsh - Second most spins right now
Madeleine Peyroux
“Mama” Cass Elliot
Sade

Nice thread geowak

jermmd · « **Reply #8 on:** 3 Nov 2008, 01:04 pm »

Natalie Marchant
Nancy Sinatra
Mama Cass
Janis Joplin
Arethra Franklin

These are the ones I probably listen to the most but there are others that I play a lot of as well. Singers like Tracy Chapman have a few great songs but I rarely listen to the whole album. I really should include Annie Lennox in the top female vocalist but I can't knock off any of the others.

Joe

ZLS · « **Reply #9 on:** 3 Nov 2008, 01:08 pm »

   Great Thread!

1. Billie Holiday
2. Judy Henske
3. Patsy Cline
4. Marcia Ball
5. Devil Doll
6. Janis Joplin

   Yes, I know that is six, but think of it this way; either I list these six or list the other 45 or so that I can pull of the top of my head!

boead · « **Reply #10 on:** 3 Nov 2008, 01:23 pm »

just 5?

Ani DIFranceo
Ella Fitzgerald
Holly Cole
Jill Scott
Corinne Bailey Rae

Susan Tedeschi
Sheryl Crow
Jane Monheit
Carole King
Mariah Carey
Diane Schuur
Carol Carpenter
Sheryl Crow
Diana Ross
Madonna
Diana Krall
Eva Cassidy
And so many others….

ted_b · « **Reply #11 on:** 3 Nov 2008, 01:55 pm »

All great lists!

Some addtionals from me:
Rickie Lee Jones
Cassandra Wilson
Margo Timmins
Suzanne Vega
Jennifer Warnes

cryoparts · « **Reply #12 on:** 3 Nov 2008, 03:30 pm »

Quote from: boead on 3 Nov 2008, 01:23 pm

just 5?

Tough to pick just five. No one has mentioned Tori Amos or Paula Cole yet, so I'll add them to the list.

Peace,

Lee

woodsyi · « **Reply #13 on:** 3 Nov 2008, 03:39 pm »

Ileana Cotrubas: her Violetta in La Traviata opposite Domingo is number one on my list. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RazgaGQsylw&feature=related

Montserrat Caballe has such creamy voice. She makes everything sound effortless. Check her out on this CD with Freddie Mercury. This is a good CD by the way. http://www.amazon.com/Barcelona-Freddie-Mercury/dp/B000000OC6

Victoria de los Angeles, also a bel canto singer, has a lovely, delicate and trilling voice. She was the Carmen of her days. Even at age 71 she still has it here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yVcjIYMH8U&NR=1

Mahalia Jackson singing In the Upper Room is an all time classic. The Apollo recording is hard to find but worth the money if you can get one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLZcoDsPUkI

Patsy Cline's voice melts me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1o1V2uiagpU&feature=related

zybar · « **Reply #14 on:** 3 Nov 2008, 03:50 pm »

The five I am listening to the most these days:

Peggy Lee
Natalie Merchant
Tori Amos
Aimee Mann
Ella Fitzgerald

George

rydenfan · « **Reply #15 on:** 3 Nov 2008, 04:08 pm »

There are too many for me to list, but the 5 that I am listening to lately are:

Corinne Bailey Rae
Nina Simone
Erykah Badu
Kate Walsh
Allison Krauss

acwd1950 · « **Reply #16 on:** 4 Nov 2008, 12:05 pm »

Heres mine in order
1 Patsy Cline
2 Stevie Nicks
3 Ann Wilson
4 Terri Clark
5 Leanne Rimes
6 Martina McBride

Steve

mcgsxr · « **Reply #17 on:** 4 Nov 2008, 12:41 pm »

Many excellent choices listed (Margo Timmins, Diana Krall, Natalie Merchant), I would add Sarah McLauchlan, Tracey Thorn (Everything but the girl) and Bjork (controversial I know).

Len_Dreyer · « **Reply #18 on:** 4 Nov 2008, 03:45 pm »

Ella Fitzgerald
Billie Holiday
Joni Mitchell
June Tabor
Natalie Merchant

slinco · « **Reply #19 on:** 4 Nov 2008, 03:52 pm »

Current top 5:

Lizz Wright
Karen Bergquist (Over The Rhine)
Etta Jones
Patti Smith
Lucinda Williams

Other favorites:

Marta Topferova
Irene Reid
Iris Dement
Patti Griffin
Rosemary Clooney
Doris Day
Blossom Dearie
Ella Fitzgerald
Michelle Shocked
Mary Gauthier
Melody Gardot
Nellie McKay
Nancy Griffith