Name your top five female vocalists.

[blue neen]

Mine (in no particular order) are:

1. Patsy Cline
2. Etta James
3. Dusty Springfield
4. Ann Wilson (Heart)
5. Aretha Franklin

I'm sure that I'm forgetting some, but those are the ones who came to mind first.

:think:

[mark414]

1. vocalists of a different style

MC Lyte
Lauryn Hill
Missy Elliot
Ladybug
Roxanne Shante

[blue neen]

2. I'm familiar with Lauryn Hill and Missy Elliot.

I'll have to give the others a listen! :)

[mark414]

4. ladybug is in the group digable planets

if you like jazz you will like digable planets; some of the smoothest, jazziest hip hop around

[ok_cpu]

6. They still around?

Or did they quit after "Blowout Comb"?
Those were a couple of good albums.

[mark414]

7. funny you ask...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=314x92

AND

Digable Planets to Tour, Play Jam Cruise

http://pitchforkmedia.com/news/05-05/10.shtml#digable

[ok_cpu]

8. Mucho thanks! n/t

[izzybeans]

54. This is the best news I've heard all night.

[BlackVelvetElvis]

26. Ladybug is AWESOME.

I'm jacked about DP being back.
Ladybug was the best of the trio, IMO.

[blue neen]

38. Now I'm intrigued.

I am going to have to hear this lady sing!

[mark414]

43. if you are really interested...

i could send you a song or two via AIM or MSN if you've got em

[blue neen]

66. I think we have AIM.

I'll find out and let you know (probably tomorrow). Thanks!

[thecai]

154. Lauryn Hill, Gladys Knight, Vanessa Williams, Sade, Queen Latifa

I haven't heard ("The Real Roxanne")Roxanne Shante in a long time, (but "I gave birth to most of them MC's!")
Memories, back in the day!
My favorite song is by Lauryn Hill, "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" I don't know if that's the name of it, it isn't listed on the jacket, but it follows "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You"...
"...Tell him, tell him I love him, tell him I need him, and everything, everything's gonna be all right...."

Oh no, now I gotta go turn on the tunes, wake up the whole neighborhood, why'd you get me started? ;-)

[skygazer]

3. Here's mine

In no particular order -

Janis Joplin
Grace Slick
Stevie Nicks
Melissa Etheridge
Claire Torry (who did "The Great Gig In the Sky" on Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon album. Wow.)

[blue neen]

9. Claire Torry.

I always wondered who did that vocal. Extraordinary.

My son and I went round and round today about Janis Joplin. She made his list!

[enigmatic]

5. Maria McKee

and 4 others...

[blue neen]

39. If her voice sounds as good as she looks,

she must be pretty special!

[enigmatic]

57. She's a goddess

In looks, soul, and voice...

Try the "Life Is Sweet", "High Dive", or her self-titled CD's, as well as her poineering alt-country band Lone Justice; great, great stuff..

[blue neen]

73. Thanks for the suggestions.

I definitely will take you up on that. :)

[BlackVelvetElvis]

10. Mine in no order:

k.d. lang
Ann Wilson
Aretha Franklin
Barbra Steisand
Billie Holiday

[jobycom]

12. How'd you pick three of mine? Wow.

Good choices.

[BlackVelvetElvis]

15. Maybe they are universally excellent!

No one could touch Steisand during the 60's.

[Lithos]

30. All good

Thinking I should play some Billie Holiday now.

L-

[blue neen]

42. Are you in that bluesy state of mind?

She was really incredible.

[Lithos]

76. Yeah

Have put in 3 90+ hour weeks. Am tired.

L-

[blue neen]

95. Oh, that's just brutal.

You need a vacation!

[jobycom]

11. Barbara Streisand, Billie Holiday, Aretha Franlin,Julie Andrews, and

Ella Fitzgerald. I don't care the order.

[Kurovski]

19. My exact list!

But I put Ella Fitzgerald at the top and have to add Joni Mitchell.

[jobycom]

21. No kidding?

I thought I'd get picked on for having Julie Andrews and Aretha Franklin on the same list!

[blue neen]

44. Julie Andrews has a fantastic voice!

[Kurovski]

81. Well then, jobycom, they'll have two to thrash.

Franklin was my first ever favorite female singer when I was a kid.

[blue neen]

75. They say great minds think alike!

You two are in that category!

[alittlelark]

13. No particular order... off the top of my head....

Ricki Lee Jones
Aretha Franklin
Bette Midler (tease me if you must)
Stevie Nicks (she looks similar to me, perhaps that is the reason)
Sade (erotic Grad school encounters are the reason)

[jobycom]

14. Sade

Has anyone NOT had an erotic encounter to her music? Sigh...

[intheflow]

17. Bette

Now why didn't I think of her? You're completely right to include her on the list. With the possible exception of her role in Fiddler on the Roof. (Or maybe it's just that I'm not fond of that musical.)

[Joey Liberal]

29. Bette is a great choice n/t

[BlackVelvetElvis]

18. Here is a photo for you:

I took it from the front row in 1990. She was incredible.

[alittlelark]

36. I'm bookmarking and saving that shot...

she is incredible! Your pic is awesome too!!!

[BlackVelvetElvis]

40. She is incredible.

I love RLJ too.
Thanks.

[blue neen]

56. I think Bette is a great singer

and a terrific entertainer!

[intheflow]

16. That's a fine bunch of vocal chords you've listed.

I guess my list would be

Michelle Shocked
Bonnie Raitt
Wynona Judd
Judy Garland
Shelby Lynne

Not numbered because there is no particular order. I might have picked Ella, Aretha, or Patsy, but didn't want to be a copy cat. :)

[blue neen]

24. I seriously considered Judy Garland.

But Dusty Springfield made the list instead.

[jobycom]

28. Shelby Lynne-- great choice!

The others are, too, but I didn't even think of Shelby Lynne.

[Zenlitened]

20. Joss Stone. That girl can SING, baby!

:)

http://www.jossstone.com/site/home.php

[blockhead]

32. i forgot about her

she's awesome

[blue neen]

37. Is she the one who did the duet with Melissa Etheridge?

Piece of My heart? That really rocked!

[blockhead]

41. right on!

[ET Awful]

22. 1. Janis Joplin

2. Ani DiFranco
3. Billie Holliday

hmmmm

That's all I can come up with off the top of my head :) I know there are more, but my brain is tired.

[blue neen]

35. Rest your brain, and listen to some music.

Maybe you'll get inspired!

[oustemnow]

23. uhh, where the hell is Kim Deal on this list?

TOTALLY influential on the late 80s/early 90s wave of female singers. And, a damn cool person to boot.

[blue neen]

31. Please forgive me. I'm not familiar with her music.

But I will definitely listen to some! Could you give me some names of CD's?

[oustemnow]

50. oh, most definitely!

I love turning people on to the dulcet grandeur of Kim Deal's voice.

A few selections...

"Gigantic," by the Pixies

The Pixies' "Doolittle" album, backup vocals throughout, and lead on "Silver"

The Breedes' "Pod" album

The Breeders' self-titled album.

[blue neen]

58. Thanks!

I'm looking forward to it! :)

[Joey Liberal]

25. Here's my list

1. Joan Jett
2. Ann Wilson
3. Ana Matronic (Scissor Sisters)
4. Diana Krall
5. Natalie Maines

[blue neen]

48. Joan Jett also ranks up there as a guitarist,

does she not?

[Joey Liberal]

53. She sure does

I've seen her live. Puts on a great show. She rocks and she is hot too.

[blockhead]

27. natalie merchant

bonnie raitt
sheryl crow
chrissie hynde
annie lennox

[blue neen]

34. OMG. Annie Lennox.

What a voice!

[jobycom]

47. Yeah! nt.

[nytemare]

104. You have about the same taste in music as me

:)

[blockhead]

133. you must have good taste!

[nytemare]

137. Absolutely!

I listed mine below before I saw yours! Then I scrolled like I should have before I posted!

[Deja Q]

33. Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, Tom Jones, Gladys Knight, and

Nadia from American Karaoke Idol.

[blue neen]

45. I always liked Gladys Knight's version of

"I Heard it Through the Grapevine" better than Marvin Gaye's.

[jobycom]

49. Tom Jones... Goof!

Never mind, I retract all arguments against HER inclusion! :-)

[Deja Q]

107. Whoops! But if you consider how often women throw their underwear on him,

you might not know it was a bloke underneath that mountain of knickers...

[Kurovski]

87. Tom Jones?

Is he an honorary female now after collecting all those tossed tribute panties through the decades?

[Deja Q]

108. Naturally!

:D :D

[RubyDuby in GA]

46. Um, current singers would be

1. Chick from Portishead
2. Margo Timmons from Cowboy Junkies
3. Sarah McLaughlin
4. Tori Amos
5. Allison Kraus

[blue neen]

60. Sarah McLaughlin's voice is so smoooooth.

[nytemare]

106. She is awesome live

Saw her last Friday, great show.

[dolo amber]

70. Beth Gibbons

is "Chick from Portishead". :hi:

I forgot her on my list...she's right up there, too.

[argyl]

51. In no particular order:

Michelle Shocked
Aretha Franklin
Sandy Denny
Emmylou Harris
Neko Case

Ask me tomorrow and I'll probably have a different list.

[blue neen]

61. I know what you mean!

[Zensea]

97. Only one mention for Emmy Lou Harris?!?!?!?!?

and you made it.
Well, here's another vote for her from me.

and I'll add others I haven't seen mentioned

Odetta
Joan Baez
Tracy Nelson
June Carter Cash

[oregonjen]

52. 1. Pat Benatar

2. Stevie Nicks
3. Barbra Streisand
4. K.D. Lang
5. Faith Hill

[Joey Liberal]

55. Pat Benatar is another great choice n/t

[blue neen]

62. Pat Benatar had this obscure song in the 80's

called "We Live for Love." It was pretty different from every thing else that she did. I really loved that song.

[oregonjen]

68. I saw her sing that in concert, it was beautiful

She definately has a powerhouse voice for such a petite woman.

[CornField]

59. Pat Benetar, Queen Latifa, Barbra Streisand, Cher & Aretha

[blue neen]

64. Barbra Streisand is getting a lot of mention here!

[Kurovski]

83. Someone mentioned her recordings from the 60's

They are terrific.

Her Broadway album from the 80's is another favorite.

She's even got a great Christmas album that still holds up beautifully.

[Hatalles]

63. I hope none of you forgot to leave out Ms. Norah Jones...

[blue neen]

65. Norah Jones is one fine singer.

Any time I try to order one of her CD's from the record company--Poof! They're sold out!

[dolo amber]

67. ...

Mary J Blige
PJ Harvey
Kim Deal
Lady Saw
Mahalia Jackson



(Off the top of my head...probably not my *actual* top 5, but they'll do. :))

[blue neen]

72. Another vote for Kim Deal.

How have I missed out on this lady? I have heard of the Pixies, though so maybe I have heard her and just not realized it.

This has been fun because I'm getting some great ideas for new music to listen to!

[dolo amber]

78. Have you heard The Breeders - "Cannonball"?

That's her. :)

In the Pixies she only sings very few songs, but she's the lead singer for The Breeders. If you really wanna give her a listen that might be the best route to go. :hi:

[blue neen]

92. Thanks. I'll give them a try.

:thumbsup:

[newfaceinhell]

155. Gotta add another vote for Kim

She has a truly amazing sweet-yet-creepy voice. Although I think I actually prefer her backing vocals with the Pixies to her (still great) lead vocals with the breeders. There was soemthing about the combination of her voice with Frank Black's equally...er...unconventioanl vocal style that was just magic. Unfortunately she's only really prominent on the first couple of Pixies albums.

[jobycom]

86. Mahalia! Forgot her, too. I almost picked Mary J. Blige nt.

[DBoon]

148. Another vote for PJ Harvey here

!!!!

[LeftyMom]

69. I can only think of four

I'll try to edit one in if my brain fart ends.

What I've got:
Janis Joplin
Ann Wilson
Stevie Nicks
Tina Turner

[blue neen]

77. Stevie Nicks is a really good songwriter, too.

My favorite is "Silver Spring."

[Sugar Smack]

119. THAT song send chills up my spine

and I don't care who knows!!!

:P

[blue neen]

122. Have you heard the version from "The Dance"?

It's absolutely haunting. I can listen to it over and over.

[all.of.me]

71. linda ronstadt, julie andrews, nora jones, barbra & bette

[blue neen]

79. "I've been cheated, been mistreated, when will I be loved?"

[jobycom]

88. Ronstadt's duets with Aaron Neville

Could be played in Heaven to embarrass the angels. Not that I believe in Heaven or angels, but you know.

[all.of.me]

135. i love her with emmy lou harris in the tucson sessions

i'd give a LOT to be able to belt it out like that.

[intheflow]

99. Julie Andrews--another good choice.

My parents had Julie Andrew pop records and I had the soundtrack to Mary Poppins. She has a beautiful, expressive voice.

[K8-EEE]

74. All Of Blue Neen's, Plus Susan Cowsill

Also want to mention girl groups, Roches & Bangles.

[blue neen]

80. Does Susan Cowsill have some releases of her own out?

[K8-EEE]

85. Yes, A New One Called "Just Believe It"

Go to susancowsill.com!

[enigmatic]

146. Susan played w/ The Continental Drifters for years..

w/ Peter Hosapple (who is a great guy and a helluva songwriter), Mark Walton (formerly of The Dream Syndicate) and Viki Pterson of The Bangles. Great roots rock band that was very underappreciated..

[Magrittes Pipe]

82. I'll break it down.

Old school:
5. Bessie Smith
4. Sarah Vaughan
3. Maybelle Carter
2. Billie Holliday
1. Mahalia Jackson

My parents' generation:
5. Martha Reeves
4. Suzi Quatro
3. Yoko Ono (yes, really)
2. Aretha Franklin
1. Mary Weiss

Punky/new wave kinda gals:
5. Poly Styrene
4. Lydia Lunch
3. Fay Fife
2. Rachel Sweet
1. Chrissy Hynde

'80s and after:
5. Gilmore Tamny
4. Queen Latifah
3. Mary J. Blige
2. Kim Deal
1. Cait O'Riordan (bite me, dolo :P)

[blue neen]

89. If you like Yoko Ono,

you should watch the DVD of the Rolling Stones "Rock and Roll Circus." Yoko is in a band called Dirty Mack with Keith Richards, John Lennon, Eric Clapton, and...I forget the drummer. It's a pretty entertaining DVD.

[jobycom]

91. You knew someone on DU

would find a way to make a top five into a top 20 list!!

What, no TOni Braxton? I'd put her on the modern list for Unbreak My Heart all by itself.

[Magrittes Pipe]

94. That's a fantastic song.

But Mary's a better singer.

[jobycom]

96. I agree. And a better dresser. I'm not sure she has a better song, though

Toni put a lot into that one.

[seearrell]

84. A quick check of the Ipod reveals

That I'm currently listening to:

- Gillian Welch
- Ani
- Beth Orton
- Beth Gibbons (Portishead)

Also, for NYC-area folks, Rachel Loshak and Julia Darling are both worth listening to.

[blue neen]

90. Hey seearrell.

Welcome to DU!

[seearrell]

93. Thanks!

Happy to be here!

[flvegan]

98. Avril, Alanis and Bif Naked.

Sue me.

[blue neen]

101. Alanis has put out some great music,

and everyone here is entitled to their opinions. No suing allowed!
(We wouldn't want Bush to talk about those frivolous lawsuits!) ;)

[flvegan]

109. and if it wasn't $82.50...

I'd go and check out her show later this year.

Thank you India,
Thank you confidence
Thank you disillusionment.

[nytemare]

100. Pure Vocalists and Singer/Songwriter/Musicians

For Vocalists: Aretha Franlin
Sarah Brightman
Billie Holliday
Bette Midler
Norah Jones
Sheila Chandra

For Singer/Songwriter Musicians

Sarah McLachlan
Sheryl Crow
Annie Lennox
Bonnie Raitt
Joni Mitchell

[blue neen]

102. I think I might not be giving Sheryl Crow enough credit.

Some other people mentioned her, too.

[nytemare]

103. She can sing opera

She did a duet with Pavarotti, in addition she plays guitar well and piano, and she is a great rock singer. Saw her at a Lilith Fair, which was great because most of the acts come up and sing duets, so she did duets with Sarah McLachlan and the Dixie Chicks. There is a song called "Difficult Kind" that Sarah McLachlan came out and sang with her, and it just brought chills. She is really an excellent songwriter. Although the songs they play on the radio are fun and catchy, I tend to like the album tracks a lot more.

[Misunderestimator]

105. Maria Callas, Leontyne Price, Teresa Stratas, Marian Anderson, Joan...

Sutherland... great vocalists all... :)

[Magrittes Pipe]

110. Callas was an odd singer.

Odd, but brilliant.

I pretty much stayed in the pop vein, but Price could easily have fit in. And, pop be damned, I am ashamed at myself for not mentioning Anderson -- Marian Anderson singing Schubert is one of the great joys in this life.

[Misunderestimator]

111. I never thought of her as odd... just straight from the heart...

her voice poured from her soul, damn technique to hell... I admire that about her. She spent it all in a decade, but she was the BEST while she was at the top of her game.

I like your taste hedges. Just read your post above. :thumbsup:

[blue neen]

114. I would trust both your taste and hedges!

[Misunderestimator]

126. Why thank you...

:hi:

[LouisianaLiberal]

118. Two of my favorites

are Astrud Gilberto, who can make any song scintillating, and Flora Purim, whose voice is near perfect. I never thought I would enjoy country music but I love Alison Krauss's voice too. Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan have to be on the list as well.

[blue neen]

128. Hi LouisianaLiberal!

Nice to see you here on DU! :hi:

[LouisianaLiberal]

132. Thanks

Thanks Blue Neen. I've been here for awhile, but now have alot more time to post. But again, thanks for the welcome.

[Misunderestimator]

130. Thanks for that post...

haven't heard of Gilberto or Purim, but looked them up just now... they sound very interesting. I'll have to get some CDs.

[LouisianaLiberal]

138. I hope you won't be disappointed

Astrud G sang the first and most famous version of Girl from Ipanema. She had no formal voice training, but her singing is so natural and lilting and fluid, with a kind of innocence mixed in, that I never tire of listening.

[Sugar Smack]

112. Mine are definitely

1. Courtney Love
2. Annie Lennox
3. Lauryn Hill
4. Liz Phair
5. Kate Bush

Love the Go-Go's too!

[lala_rawraw]

116. Kate Bush, Annie Lennox...

Yep yep yep.... I swear though, ever since I heard Beth Gibbons that was the end ... My god, Billy Holiday came back alive inside Beth. Do you listen to Portishead?

[Sugar Smack]

124. yeah, lala_rawraw !

I listened to "Biscuit" over & over on bf's and my way over the mtns of NC, years ago. It was so haunting!!! Hey, I'm glad I found you!

And I love Billie Holliday. Especially that beautiful, regret-soaked song "Hello my Darling".

:hug:

[lala_rawraw]

127. Have you listened to Clare Voyant?

Amazing... darker much darker than Portis, sort of a mix of Collide and Portis.

I am uploading a bunch of songs for a friend, I should give you a link...pm me if you want ... temp, up for 10 min... then poof.

[Sugar Smack]

136. I've never heard that!

And I'm PMing you tomorrow!!

after my own heart, with all this good music-

:bounce:

[blue neen]

117. The Go-Go's were definitely good in their prime!

[nytemare]

144. How could I forget Kate Bush!

What happened to her? She had a good cd out in the early 90's and poofed.

[lala_rawraw]

113. Only five? Okay, this will be tough

1). Beth Gibbons
2). Billy Holiday
3). Baxter
4). Goldfrapp
5). Bessie Smith

[lala_rawraw]

115. Zero 7, Honey Root

I cannot stop... must step away from the keyboard or I will go on and on, lol

[blue neen]

120. It is hard to stop.

It seems like the focus is on the male vocalists a lot of times. I really was curious to see people's opinions on the female vocalists, and this has been very interesting! I want to broaden my horizons a little more! :)

[lala_rawraw]

121. Silverman, Bjork, Tori Amos, Mandalay...

I cannot stop, told ya, ....

[lala_rawraw]

123. Siouxsie, Blondie, Clare Voyant....

[blue neen]

125. The first ever rap song I heard was Blondie

singing "Rapture". Do you remember that? That was in 1980 or so.

[lala_rawraw]

129. yeah...

I like her still, and Berlin.

[lala_rawraw]

134. Anjali, Cesaria Evora, Alla Pugachova, Lisa Gerrard...

I really could go on and on...and I just might:D

[Sugar Smack]

131. I cannot stop, either!

Debbie Harry
any of the gals from "Let's Active"

[arcos]

149. I believe there's not female in Zero 7...

If I'm not mistaken, it is a duo made up of two males.

The vocalist whose on their first CD is Sia, the one who sings Destiny. You have great taste in music as I can see... you will probably like her solo album it is called Colour the Small One.

[Scout1071]

139. Current only: Diana Krall, Norah Jones, Alicia Keyes, Jill Scott

and Shemeka Copeland.

[blue neen]

140. Alicia Keyes has a great sound.

I've been a fan of Norah Jones for quite awhile now.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

141. Mine (in no particular order).

Enya
Sarah Brightman
Brenda Russell
Julia Fordham
Klannard (Enya and her family)

[blue neen]

142. Enya's music is so soothing to me.

I don't know anything about Klannard, though.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

143. Try to listen to them sometime.

[astral]

145. How about Holly Near?

Her voice brings tears to my eyes and goosebumps to my arms ~~ though I don't like ALL her songs.

Glad someone mentioned Tracy Nelson. I had an old scratchy LP called "Living with the Animals" which is where I had to find out her name.

Some of my faves:

#1 Holly Near

Kate & Anna McGarrigle
Linda Ronstadt singing in Spanish
Laura Nyro
Irene Farrera ("Walkin' in the Jungle")

[tishaLA]

147. Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, Chaka Khan,

Barbra Streisand, and Fantasia. Yes, I mean it. The one from American Idol.

[arcos]

150. Melissa Etheridge, Björk, Tracy Thorn, Alanis Morissette & Beth Gibbons

I could go on, but this are the top 5 I can think of now. :P

[Kathryn STone]

151. Can I get a witness for Shirley Manson (Garbage)?!

1. Aretha
2. Joni
3. Grace
4.Billie
5.Stevie

[Duncan Grant]

152. The first ones that come to mind:

Emily Saliers
Joni Mitchell
Ella Fitzgerald
Cass Elliot
Rosemary Clooney

***
Tracy Thorn
Roberta Flack
Dionne Warwick
Helen Forrest
Nina Simone

and so on and so on... :)

[leftofthedial]

153. how do you pick 5?

Bonnie Raitt
Teresa Salguiero (Madredeus)
Emmylou Harris
Lucinda Williams
Iris Dement

[MissMillie]

156. 1. Patsy Cline

Karen Carpenter
Shawn Colvin
Patty Griffin
Margo Timmins (of the Cowboy Junkies)