Which female vocalists/singers do you really like

If you like folk music vocals and your list above suggests you do try:

Patty Griffin "Impossible Dream"
Lucy Kaplanski "The Red Thread"
Shawn Colvin "Fat City"
Sarah McLachlan "Surfacing"


These few to start with. If you like them I willgive you more later

jim..............

Well, I'm a big fan of soprano Violetta Urmana - she's sung wonderfully in a number Edinburgh festival concerts over the years. She played a wonderful Lady Macbeth with Mackerras and the SCO doing wonders with Verdi's score (indeed, I am told that her condition for coming back to the festival was that she wanted to do that work). In 2004 she did a recital (I can't recall the acompanist) but it is a testament to her charisma that she was able to make the usher hall feel quite so intimate. Then, last year, she was one of the highlights of Donald Runnicles' Verdi requiem. I don't know quite how I'd describe her voice, certainly it isn't over-heavy with virbrato (otherwise I wouldn't much like it). Sadly, I can't recommend any recordings, but I suppose I really should look for some.

The three great scandanavian Wagnerian sopranos were also quite something: Flagstad, Nilsson and Varnay. Each was magical in her own way, and sadly unrivaled amonst contemporary singers. Albums, well, the Flagstad/Furtwangler/Philharmonia Tristan and Isolde is quite something, Nilsson's place on the Solti or Bohm Rings and Varnay's on the Krauss or Keilberth Rings.

The young mezzo Christine Rice also impressed me greatly when I heard her sing Annio in Mozart's Clemenza di Tito (indeed, in many regards, for me, she stole the show from the headline Tito of Kozena) in a concert performance at last year's festival with Mackerras and the SCO - the set is also out on DG and I believe she will be singing in Bluebeard's Castle and the ROH later in the year (which ought to be quite something). This may in no small way be down to the fact I am rather fond of the mezzo voice in general.

Kathleen Ferrier was unique - there has never (and probably will never) be a voice quite like it. The sorrow in her Mahler Kindertotenlieder is such that I really can't get on with anyone elses. Similarly her recording of Das Lied von der Erde. That said, I know there are some who don't care for her voice.

Such could also be said of Janet Baker - again, her Mahler is something, especially on the recordings of the second symphony (with say Rattle or Bernstein). Her Handel, notably Julius Caesar with Mackerras.

Lastly, I'd put in a nod for Schwarzkopf. An extremely beautiful voice and wonderful in her partnerships with Giulini (e.g. as Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni or in the Verdi requiem - though for other reasons, I prefer both Giulini's live readings of the work on BBC legends).


regards, Tam

Ever heard Angie Palmer?

www.angiepalmer.co.uk/site

Some great responses - thanks.

Jim - yes I do like folk music. I love traditional folk music and I'll definitely investigate your suggestions. They are artists I'm not familiar with, and I've grown used to some great recommendations from forum members that bring to music I would otherwise have missed.

Jimmy - I didn't know Angie Palmer, but when I go to the URL you supplied it plays a track that instantly makes me think I should know her music. Thanks.

Dear Tam

Of course there are many great female singers in classical music. Sorry I'm breaking my own rule, where I say there is no distinction between classical and other forms of music. There's just music and as a listener I get to decide if I like it or not.

Some very interesting suggestions for me to try. I have always liked Mahler, so I'm instantly drawn to your Janet Baker and Kathleen Ferrier recommendations.

I should try some of your other recommendations and broaden my horizons further.

Many thanks, Rotf

Joni Mitchell - Hejira
Sandy Denny - anything
Mathilde Santing - Out of this Dream
Kate Bush - Hounds of Love
Suzanne Vega - first
Mo Tucker - for 'I'm Sticking With You'
Jacqui McShee - first 3 Pentangle albums

Like:


Martha Reeves
Diana Ross
Aretha Franklin
Mary Clayton
Donna Summer
Kim Gordon
Courtney Love
Yoko Ono
Janis Joplin
Dolly Parton
Leontyne Price

Nothing Against:

Joni Mitchell
Britney Spears
Bonnie Raitt
Chrissy Hynde

Actively dislike:

Melissa Etheridge
Joan Sutherland
Whitney Houston

ROTF -here's a few more you've got to hear if you haven't already.

Beth Hirsch, on only two tracks of Air's Moon Safari, but worth it.
Beth Gibbons, try Portishead's Dummy or her own Out of Season.
Alison Goldfrapp, you've got to hear Goldfrapp's first album, Felt Mountain.
Gemma Hayes - get her debut, Night On My Side.

Nicholas

Interesting I almost always prefer male voices but there are exceptions:

Linda Thompson - "I Want to see the bright lights tonight" or "Fashionably Late"
Alison Moyet - Hometime, Alf or Hoodoo
Chrissie Hynde - almsot any Pretenders album
Rickie Lee Jones - Pirates
Jennifer Warnes - try Famous Blue Raincoat
Margo Timmins (Cowboy Junkies) - The Trinity Sessions
Marianne Faithfull - Strange Weather or Broken English
Joan Armatrading - Joan Armatrading
Michelle Shocked - "Short Sharp Shocked" or "Threesome"
Linda Ronstadt - her new one "Adieu False Heart" is a good one with a great version of Walk Away Renee on it.
Erykah Badu - Baduizm
Susheela Raman - only just got into her but "Music For Crocodiles" is good.
Alison Krauss - one album...hmmm...try Live
K D Lang - Ingenue
Elizabeth Fraser (Cocteau Twins) - Blue Bell Knoll
Shelagh McDonald - Let No Man Steal Your Thyme
Daisy Martey - The Antidote (Morcheba) Self Assembly (Noonday Underground)
Lou Robinson - Lamb (Lamb) [moody trip hop waring!]
Beth Gibbons - Out Of Season, Portishead (Portishead)
Sarah McLachlan - Surfacing
Natalie Merchant - Our Time In Eden (10000 Maniacs)
Emmylou Harris - ermm...try Wrecking Ball
Steve

Sarah Mclachlan
Eva Cassidy
Mary Black
Bic Runga

quote:

Originally posted by ROTF:
I have always preferred female vocalists to male vocalists. I'm not saying all male vocalists are bad as you only have to listen to Robert Wyatt and such myths are dispelled. However, what I was hoping to get on this thread was some views on recommended albums with a female singer.

I would certainly recommend anything by Shirley Collins - especially Anthems In Eden and the essential Folk Roots, New Roots.

I'd also recommend Annie Haslam's wonderful vocals for Renaissance. Just try Turn of the Cards or Ashes Are Burning.

I am also very fond of Melanie (Good Book), Dusty Springfield (Dusty in Memphis), Sandy Denny (Leige and Leif), Ceilia Humphries (Garden of Jane Delawney), Vashti Bunyan (Just Another Diamond Day), Lou Rhodes (Beloved), Karine Polwart (Faultlines), Mary Black (Babes In The Wood), Mary Chapin Carpenter (Come On Come On), Joni Mitchell (Ladies of the Canyon), Kate Bush (The Kick Inside), Tori Amos (Little Earthquakes), Judy Dyble (Fairport Convention) and Suzanne Vega (Suzanne Vega).

Any others you'd recommend - if possible could you recommend an album by the singer that represents them well.

ROTF and all.

So many great albums mentioned. Let me:

Aretha Franklin: `Spirit in the dark` is a masterpiece. She´s awesome on that album.

Carole King: Tapestry, the songs...

Joni Mitchell, Heijira has been mentioned and is next to none but there are lots and lots from her. Hissing of summer lawns, Blue... can´t decide. Get them all.

Rickie Lee Jones, get them all.

Kate Bush, same there....

ROTF you already got Dusty in Memphis but also buy Dionne Warwick, the sensitive sound of Dionne Warwick.

And last but not least Björk, begin with Homogenic.

Could go on.

Gunnar

Off the top of my head I'l add:
Tracy Thorne (from Everything But the Girl)
Annie Lenox

The wife's just reminded me I really like Eddi Reader

Mainly repeats here, but
like
annie lennox
kd laing
bjork
EBTG
eddie reader
michelle shocked
joni mitchell
christine aguilera
billie holliday
sheryl crow
dusty springfield.

Can't stand
barbara striesand
whitney houston
mariah carey
celine dion
sarah brightman
michael bloody bolton
& most of all, duets of any combination of the above.
matt.

ROTF

Most of my suggestions have been tabled above!
Huge mention for Alison Krauss - her voice is stunning - just a pity about the other tracks that appear with the male vocalist in her band. But AK's voice makes it OK - try So Long So Wrong!
One of my favourites is Carole King's Tappestry - essential for any collection.
KD Lang's Engenue as proposed by Steve - seconded - magnificant voice.
Eva Cassidy's Songbird is gorgeous.
Joni Mitchell's Blue - totally compelling
Sandy Denny with Robert Plant on Battle of Evermore - Aoch!
Lisa Stansfield - Real Love - great tracks to be found
Sade - Love Deluxe
Laura Nyro - Time & Love - The Music Of - this is a compilation tribute album which I think is well worth a spin - all female singists!
Alicia Keys - Songs in A Minor - cd only as you'll likely want to skip some of the between track 'hip' stuff, but fundamentally that girl can sing!
Mary J Blige - What's the 411
Kate Bush - The Kick Inside
Tracy Chapman - Tracy Chapman - stole Joan Armatrading's thunder but wicked none the less
Rickie Lee Jones - Rickie Lee Jones
Annie Lennox - Diva.

This lot and the preceding suggestions should keep you going for a while!

Peter

i really like pj harvey and if you can get her debut lp 'Dry' with the demo disc you are in for a treat. Rawness you can feel without your ears bleeding.

Dear ROTF,

I feel much the same - in that I really ought to explore more of your recommendations. In the last couple of years my record buying has been almost entirely focused on classical stuff. But then so many records to buy, so little time..(and money).


Of the Janet Baker Mahler 2s, I like the Rattle very much (though I am aware some don't), while Bernstein (with the LSO) is very fine, I think it is only available on DVD at the moment. I think she is also on Klemperer's (which I don't know at all, but I have read good things about) and also one on Testament with Barbirolli (which again I don't know).


For Ferrier, the two key recordings are the ones I mentioned above. Kindertotenlieder is available both on the 'official' EMI pressing and an unofficial Naxos one (which is cheaper and also comes with Walter's reading of the 4th symphony). The sound ought to be a little better on the EMI, but I have the Naxos and it seems fine enough - though bear in mind this is an old recording - circa 1940s. The Das Lied von der Erde is one of two Walter did, but only one has Ferrier and is with the VPO. Originally on Decca (in their legends series - but I can't find a link to it - pretty good mono sound from around 1952) and also available on Naxos.


regards, Tam

I'd second Billie Holiday - she had a very special voice and lots of character to it (which in my view is one of the things that makes a really good singer - certainly in classical music there are often technically very beautiful singers but you can't help feeling there is something missing).

Whilst still in the jazz area, I'm also very fond of Ella Fitzgerald (particularly when she is singing Gershwin) and Nina Simone.


regards, Tam

I don't seem to have a plethora of female vocalists in my collection at all!


Two that were not mentioned

Lucinda Williams - Car Wheels on a Gravel Road or/and Essense

Irma Thomas - Time is on my side

Mrs Sloop is very fond of Margo Timons form the Cowboy Junkies - The Trinity Sessions being the one here.

And agreeing with Tam; Ella Fitzgerald - Oh Lady be Good.


Must get some Shirley Collins myself, what's the best available on CD readily?


SJB

Micheal Jackson. Oh sorry, wrong thread ? I thought Bad was really good.,Larry

I don't particularly fancy many female vocalists but here are few I love.

Ella Fitzgerald. The best. Bar none.
Doris Day. Very under rated vocalist, imho.
Peggy Lee.

I guess I am fond of ladies with husky voices.

More contemporary vocalists.
Karen Carpenter.
Carly Simon.
Carol King. Not the greatest singer, but she sounds honest. Joni also fits in this category. Excellent phrasing all around.
Corinne Drewery.
Astrud Gilberto.
Patti Austin.

KT Tunstall - Heal Over

Eliza Carthy - Anglicana
Sheila Chandra - Moonsung
Margot Timmins (Cowboy Junkies) - Lay it Down
Sandy Denny - anything really
Diamanda Galas (acquired taste) - Malediction and prayer
Dolores Keane - There was a maid
Kirsty MacColl - from Croydon to Cuba
Eleanor McEvoy - Eleanor McEvoy
Natalie Merchant - Ophelia
Beth Orton - Trailer Park
Shushella Raman - Love Trap
June Tabor - Anthology

No particular order:-
Linda Thompson
Shirley Collins
June Tabor
Alanis Morrisette
Amy Mann
Mary Black
Kate Bush
Annie Lennox
are some that I enjoy.

quote:

Originally posted by ryan_d:
i really like pj harvey and if you can get her debut lp 'Dry' with the demo disc you are in for a treat. Rawness you can feel without your ears bleeding.

Also on BBC4 in The BBC4 Sessions Sun 24th Sept
00:20 – 01:20 followed directly by Rosanne Cash.

Steve