Top 5 Female Voices

Aretha Franklin
Ella Fitzgerald
Joni Mitchell
Mary Chapin Carpenter
Etta James

These just came to mind but I would probably change that list if I thought about it.

However Aretha to me is the greatest female singer ever. Still sends shivers up and down my spine when I listen to her Atlantic 60's- early 70's period.

Eva Cassidy
Phoebe Snow
Aretha Franklin
Britney Spears
Norah Jones

Yep knew that I had forgotten somebody Eva Cassidy would certainly be in my list.

Alison Krauss
KD Lang
Natalie Merchant

These stuck in my mind as distinctive female voices from my collection.

1. Shirley Collins
2. Annie Haslam
3. Sandy Denny
4. Karine Polwart
5. Jackie Oates/Basia Bulat/Mary Black/Melanie (Safka)

However Shirley Collins to me is the greatest and most important female singer. Responsible for the folk rival and a series of wonderful recordings.



ATB Rotf

Just to offer some alternatives to the above how's about

Lizz Wright
Karen Matheson
Karin Bergquist (from Over the Rhine)
Bic Runga
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa

Billie Holiday
Aretha Franklin
Rickie Lee Jones
Ella Fitzgerald
Kate Bush

In no particular order

Eva Cassidy
Bonnie Raitt
Alison Krauss
Karen Carpenter
Kate Bush

Steve D

No particular order:-
Shirley Collins
Mary Black
Bonnie Raitt
Alison Krauss
Sandy Denny

I'd add Kate Pierson to the lists above , fantastic powerful voice .

Just five; that's a challenge Luxen, but ...

quote:

5. Jackie Oates/Basia Bulat/Mary Black/Melanie (Safka)

That's cheating ROTF!

Mine in order ...

1: Liz Fraser
2: Jo Ann Kelly
3: Nanci Griffith
4: Cara Dillon
5: Bonnie Raitt

I couldn't decide on #5 - so I'll settle on Rachel Unthank as my 5th entry.

No particular order:

Vivienne Mckone
Kate Bush
Sam Brown
Skye Edwards
Aretha Franklin

Might be different next week after I have checked out a few names from above lists!

quote:

I couldn't decide on #5 - so I'll settle on Rachel Unthank as my 5th entry.

Right ROTF - I'm definitely telling Basia!

Emma Kirkby
Clare Teal
Nina Simone
Jennifer Warnes
Beth Nielsen Chapman

Kathleen Ferrier
Emmylou Harris
Cristina Branco
Bessie Smith
Souad Massi

Just 5 is tough, but here we go in alphabetical order (assumed we are not including classic here).

Ella Fitzgerald
Billie Holiday
Joni Mitchell
Nina Simone
Jennifer Warnes

quote:

assumed we are not including classic here

Why?

What ever kind of music we consider, Shirley Collins will always be number 1 for me.

Christine McVie
June Tabor
Jennifer Warnes
Christine Collister
Sarah Mclachlan

Can we have a B list?

Kim Carnes
Linda Ronstadt
Judy Collins
Janis Joplin
Mama Cass

Ah reserve 5 - good idea

Vashti Bunyan
Janis Joplin
Grace Slick
Celia Humphries
Gracie Fields/Dusty Springfield/Petula Clark

Nobody went for Mrs Miller then?

Dusty! How could I have left her out? Or Aretha?

And Shelby Lynne....uhoh, almost onto my 3rd 5!

quote:

Originally posted by ROTF:
Ah reserve 5 - good idea

Vashti Bunyan
Janis Joplin
Grace Slick
Celia Humphries
Gracie Fields/Dusty Springfield/Petula Clark

Nobody went for Mrs Miller then?

I want a suntan, not Vashti Bunyan.

Anyway, my 5 in random order

Ella Fitzgerald
Natalie Merchant (can't believe she's not been mentioned yet)
Alison Krauss (a recent discovery, I have some catching-up to do)
Dusty Springfield
Kate Rusby