BEST FEMALE VOCAL EVER
@hifiman5 Glad you are enjoying Rumer, when I want to show off the system for any visiting females, it never fails. Another you may not know is Laura Mvula, her first album Sing to the moon is killer. Also big fan of Chrissie McVie, such a delicate soulful voice, she sang many of my favorite FM songs, per your mention. |
So difficult to pick the best. Marilyn Monroe, despite the poor quality of her recordings, was awesome giving it 100%, Joan Baez had a tremendously clear voice, and the legendary Judy Garland always sang it like she meant it. However my favourite would probably be Petula Clark. Always sounded human and you could never feel lonely whenever she was singing. |
for me it comes down to the songs themselves.. and what moves me ..some may not be the most talented of vocalists or have the best range but can sometimes project a feeling into a song that others even though talented cannot seem to capture, I can't imagine anyone else singing " The First Time" with more emotion than Roberta Flack. etc, all of them to be applauded |
Gotta 2nd Annie Haslam of Renaissance and Jennifer Warnes. I'll add Judy Collins who had (has?) an amazing voice over a long career. For those of you who liked Karen Carpenter, check out Shane Ericks on youtube. She has a number of covers of carpenters songs e.g. superstar and I think at least one original. If you don't already believe in reincarnation ;-) |
"A fantastic singer, i believe, unmentioned here was Keely Smith, one of the best natural singers ever. " If I didn't mention her; I should have. I inherited just one of her albums with Louis. The vinyl is far from Virginal; but good enough to appreciate both their talents. My parents often spoke of Keely with respect. |
A lot of great choices here, but the best female vocalist in my opinion was the absolutely brilliant Eydie Gorme. I would try to describe her voice, but words simply do not suffice. A voice sent from heaven - even that is an understatement! Another great female vocalist is the phenomenal Linda Eder. Nobody else will mention her either, but she has been astonishing her loyal fans for the past 3 decades plus, and her voice still sends shivers up the spine of anybody who has a pulse. I've seen her 3 times and she gets better with age. Two women with voices that leave me awe struck. |
Many great ones listed here...A new one to me was Melody Gardot’s CD “My One and Only Thrill”. Every song is nice and she wrote most. She’s very articulate and usually waits to the end of each phrase to use her vibrato. Here she is in the tub singing, “Baby I’m a Fool”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qphknagXqA&list=PLTIb4fKCEAeuiKhxppYnTl6qZB8_dVCIw |
@soundsbeyondspecs +1! I couldn't agree more. I am a huge fan of Melody. All of her albums are worth having. Meaningful, heartfelt songs sung by a gal who has been through some very rough times. "My One and Only Thrill" is my favorite song of her's and probably her best conceived album. You can tell it has caught on with lots of folks as there are 180 gram LPs at 33 ⅓ and 45 rpm! Melody, Eva Cassidy and, of course, Karen Carpenter, are/were some of the greatest natural talents ever. Yes, I know there are many other notable ladies with fantastic vocal gifts! |
Lots of great nominees here. This past Christmas I re-established that my no.1 all-time greatest single performance is "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" by Darlene Love. But that performance reminds me of the earlier "Maybe" by Arlene Smith (as a member of The Chantels). Both powerhouse vocals in the style of Big Mama Thornton, a female Blues Shouter if you will. The above are all African Americans. For white singers, I generally gravitate towards those of the Country/Bluegrass persuasion. I've been listening to my sister's Patsy Cline's Greatest Hits in the car lately, and love her phrasing. While many singers (and guitarists, I came to learn in the studio) tend to "rush", Patsy waits for the downbeat (the "1") to pass by before singing the first note/word of a line, leading to a "relaxed" feel that I love. That's something that Southerner singers (and musicians) seem to know instinctively; the rest of us have to learn it. ;-) |
And for those who heed @jsauterr's excellent recommendation, then give Ruth Brown and Lavern Baker a listen. For a modern, white version (but not "white" sounding) of old school R & B singing, try Lou Ann Barton. Her Old Enough album, produced by the great Jerry Wexler (Aretha, Ray Charles, Solomon Burke, Wilson Pickett, Dusty Springfield, Dylan, hundreds of others) and Glenn Frey, is fanf*ckingtastic! She tours with Jimmie Vaughan. |
Billie Holiday Patsy Cline Moma Cass Elliot Whitney Houston Aretha Franklin Christina Aguilera My dear departed Mother, voice of an Angel Brash.... Janis Joplin Pink Last two didn't have the PIPES, but the delivery and passion, just make me want to listen...and listen. Just too bad there aren't a lot of good recordings of Jannis, most I've ever heard, the SQ was ok at best, just not a lot of well recorded stuff. Sure had a story to tell, if she could stay sober enough.. Regards |
