Favourite Female Vocalist? - Page 8

Yep, main vocalist for the trio

Awwww, Siouxsie. I wouldn't put her as one of my favorite female vocalists if we're judging on sheer musical talent and vocal quality, but if we throw in persona/charisma/general badassedness, then much <3 for Siouxsie Sioux.

Mostly agree, although I kind of like her voice. I dunno, after a while I think great sets of pipes start to sound sort of generic and indistinguishable. In a similar vein, I really like Karen O - you'd def never mistake her for a great soul diva, but she's a truly amazing performer and a good songwriter. The old cliche about the poppier second album was absolutely true in their case, and I loved it.

yeah, Shirley Bassey is an incredible vocalist. it's a shame she isn't more recognized internationally. i'd wager that most people have never heard of her.

either way, to sound like that at age 69 is absurd. she must have always taken extreme care of her voice. i love the big voiced divas. Shirley is at times a little too theatrical to be in my top favourites, but she is surely on par with anyone in terms of power and raw talent.

I agree that she's theatrical at times, but that's part of her appeal (to me).

Hi all.....just notice this long lasting post and champing at the bit to contribute. Even more so than clothes, I love music and female vocalists always bring delight. Went right to the last page of this thread, so pardon the repetition, and will be thrilled if you also like these songbirds.

Brazilian divas
Flora Purim
Elis Regina
Joyce
Nara Leao
Paula Morelenbaum


Jazz Divas
Shirley HornAbbey Lincoln
Karrin Allyson
Irene Kral
Diana Krall
Jackin Cain (of Jackie & Roy)
Nancy Wilson
Billy Holiday
Dinah Washington
Helen Merrill
Jean Carne


Pop/Rock/Folk/ R&B Divas
Aretha
Dianne Reeves
Karen Carpenter
KD Land
Joni Mitchell
Crystal Gayle
Emmylou Harris
Rebecca Pigeon
Janis Siegel/ Cheryl Bentyne (Ladies of Manhattan Transfer)
Jennifer Warnes
Lea Delaria
Natalie Merchant
Linda Ronstadt
Marianne Faithful
Mama Cass Elliot
Rickie Lee Jones
Sade

Ooh, forgot these four. Nice list andyw.

Before she became a crackhead , Whitney Houston had everything you wanted in a vocalist: range, phrasing, depth of material (she could sing pop ballads, R&B burners, dirty blues, and jazz standards). She her perform live and you recognized she was the real deal.

As my favorites, I'll include

Sarah Vaughn
Joni Mitchell
Arthea Franklin
Kate Bush
Meshell N'Degeocello
Ann Wilson

Kate Bush is great, too! And Janis Joplin of course. Nina Simone is another favourite that I forgot the first time around. Here is a clip of 21-year-old Whitney, on the Merv Griffin show. It is her very first appearance on television and she sings "Home" from the Broadway musical "The Wiz". It is 100% evident, from the moment she walks out on the stage, that a Superstar was born. The camera absolutely adores her and she is such a natural performer and of course, that voice! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_8SguJTgHA

Man, no one does it like Whitney.

you damn right! lol.

Phyllis Hyman-Living inside your love

Gladys Knight-anything

Flora Purim pre-1985- singing 500 miles High Live, catch the atmospheric note she ends the song with, only dogs can hear it!

Swing Out Sister's Lead vocalist singing Coney Island Man

Anita Baker-God Bless the Child

Deneice Williams-God is Amazing sung live will bring the house down!

[quote=
Flora Purim pre-1985- singing [COLOR="black"]500 miles High [/color]Live, catch the atmospheric note she ends the song with, only dogs can hear it!QUOTE]

Hey Deacon, Flora is one of my favorite Divas. Agree her pre - 1985 stuff is great , first fusion singer for me whose voice was an instrument and no one interprets Chick like she does. Her best fusion stuff was in the late 70's - 500 Mile High was recorded in the mid - 70's. Some of her post - 1985 recordings were rather spotty.......never capturing the ethereal beauty of her voice. I think her repertoire has blossomed as she has matured. Her stuff still thrills me and I have grown fond of her more mainline song interpretive skills. If you haven't checked it out yet, seek these albums out and give a listen:

1) Now Go Ahead and Open Your Eyes - EP with 4 outlandish remixes of the Chick/ Potter song
2) Speak No Evil - Jazz Standards
3) Perpetual Emotion - beautiful songs and voice, I think her first album after jail time for drugs
4) Flora Purim Sings Milton Nascimento - perfect!
5) Her interpretations of the Jaco Pastorius tune "Las Olas" - she has 3 versions..on Everyday, Every Night; Flora's Song and The Midnight Song


Like Phyllis Hyman also!

Enjoy

Man alive - over 110 posts and only one person mentioned Natalie Merchant. Bummer

Nina Simone on so many soundtracks Nina Hagen Siouxsie Sioux Ute Lemper sings Kurt Weill Sook-Yin Lee (Bob's Your Uncle) Praga Khan Laurie Anderson Mikela J. Mikael Carole Pope