After reading several recommendations on here I picked up Eva Cassidy, "Live at the Bluenote". I consider it to be the best find I've heard in a long time. A truly incredible talent. Can't wait to get my hands on the rest. Thanks to all who recommended her. |
Patricia Barber, "Modern Cool". Period. |
Paulwp....point taken, and thanks for the Eva Cassidy tips. |
just searched this thread for 'gilberto'. only came up with bebel gilberto (who i also highly recommend), but what about mom: astrud gilberto? |
Stereokarter, there are five Eva Cassidy cds, not counting the very latest, which should be ignored. "The Other Side" with Chuck Brown, "Live at Blues Alley," "Eva By Heart," "Songbird" - a compilation from the previous three, and "Time After Time," the last good one. I'm guesing you don't have The Other Side. Get it.
About your comment on someone else's favorite. There was a mention above, of a singer whose name I wont mention now because I dont want to criticize anyone's taste in music or performers, when I saw her name I had to grit my teeth and restrain myself from SHOUTING "RIDICULOUS." Now, you were polite (and you're certainly not going to get any negatives from me), but I still think we should keep threads like these reserved for positive recommendations, and refrain from disagreeing with each other.
Have fun. |
Edorr, I listened to Rachelle Ferrell and was NOT impressed, sorry. Paulwp, Eva Cassidy is a delight! She died in her 30's, though, so we are limited to the 3 CD available. The live one is the best, I suggest, since the variety is wide and delicious. Noe Eva has a voice clear and with emotion, which can be recommended as a "BFV on CD" listing. That's different from average voices which one just happens to like.....ok, I've listed a few. |
SARAH HARMER: the NY Times Best CD of 2000!
Sarah Harmer is a Canadian singer-songwriter whose style is acoustic-pop-folk-roots, with shades of Nancy Griffiths, Joni Mitchell, Natalie Merchant...
Her CD is called "You Were Here", and got raves from Rolling Stone, Billboard, and was on the TIME magazine 10-best list.
I saw her live on Friday night, and I must say her voice is a miracle! |
Sarah Harmer is a Canadian singer-songwriter whose style is acoustic-pop-folk-roots, with shades of Nancy Griffiths, Joni Mitchell, Natalie Merchant...
Her CD is called "You Were Here", and got raves from Rolling Stone, Billboard, and was on the TIME magazine 10-best list.
I saw her live on Friday night, and I must say her voice is a miracle! |
Kristin Hall. Fancene Reed. Great stuff. |
Barbara Keith. Japanese reissue of WB lp, available through Amazon. No. 2, Barbara Keith on the Stone Coyotes cd, Changing of the Guard. Also Amazon. You probably wont find these in the stores. I mentioned Eva Cassidy a long time ago and several others, and there's been a lot of repetition of her name and others. But I seem to be the only Barbara Keith fan in audiophiledom. Maybe because I'm NOT an audiophile (see nilthepill on another thread).
If you try the reissue, and you can, reverse phase. |
Here's two. Jennifer Warnes "Famous Blue Raincoat" and, believe it or not, The Judds "Heartland". You can't go wrong with these two. |
Lisa Garrard is the voice on "Gladiator", of course and former lead vocal with Dead Can Dance....she has a couple of her own too. The SDSS sound of the film Gladiator featuring LG's voice in the theatre is the finest I have heard short of a live rendition. |
Bluenose, you will probably like Laura Smith - her 2nd with "My Bonny Lies Over the Ocean"- the best rendition of this song that I've heard - from The East Coast. Also, on The "Heart of Stone" CD Join Mitchell's track is wonderfull! Listen also to Dolores Keane - with John Prine on "In Spite of Ourselves" and several by herself. Regards, Colm (Brampton, Ont.) |
EVA CASSIDY!!! She has a voice that I can and have listened to for hours on end - so clear and pure and moving. What an incredible talent; what an incredible tradgedy that she was taken from the world at the age of 33. |
Poor Celine. She's got such a nice voice but so poorly chosen songs! (With some exceptions of course!) |
Did anyone mention Jane Olivor? She just released a new cd last year which I'll have to pick up. She can sing songs I don't even like but her phrasing is unique and a haunting voice. cheers, Bluenose |
Reading these posts I was motivated to acquire 2 cd's that I now play almost daily: The Chieftains "Tears Of Stone", Bonnie Raitt, Natalie Merchant, Joni, Sinead, etc., singing Irish love songs and Ricki Lee Jones "It's Like This". Both have great sonics and moving performances. Thanks to all. |
Man, so many good and great voices, all with their own appeal. I'll try to add a few that I didn't see. Eddi Reader,Lisa Stansfield, Diane Zeigler, Lynn Miles, Tara MacLean,Maura O'Connell, Kate Campbell, Tish Hinojosa, Tracy Thorn[everything but the gir],Hart Rouge, and our newest treasure from Quebec, Lara Fabian, a voice among voices..She is simply awesome....writes her own stuff too. Cheers, Bluenose. A couple of these artists are from Canada, eh and you may not have had a chance to hear them.... |
Recently have been enjoying Aimee Mann's "Magnolia" soundtrack. If you like Lucinda Williams, you should really like this as well. |
Mary Black! Enya! Wilson Sisters (Heart)! Joni Mitchell!
etc etc etc |
I could keep going, so many good ones, so little space! |
This is really showing my age, but I just got the Joni Mitchell "Court & Spark" CD. Some really classic lyrics and very nice music. |
Sdcampbell (thread entry #3) said it all! No Celine FAN here, Frogman, but my track pick still stands. Add to my faves: Susannah McCorkell, Eddi Reader (Fairground Attraction), Tanita Tikaram (German singer in English), and Miriam Makeba. So there! |
Just listened to Ferrell's Individuality. Nice voice but totally heartless. Same ballpark as Celine. Has Ferrell done any older stuff. Maybe that style isn't complimentary |
Best (favorite) fvocd: JAZZ : Shirley Horne With Strings "Here's To Life". Amazing CD. Talk about creating a mood. Incredibly romantic and soulfull singing beginning to end. The CD is best listened to in it's entirety; each track better than the previous. Very tasty piano playing by Ms. Horne also. Runnerup: Sarah Vaughn "Live From Japan" CLASSICAL: Kathleen Battle "Schubert Lieder" w/James Levine. The great Karl Leister on clarinet a bonus. Glorious singing. Runner up: Victoria de Los Angeles "Songs of Spain".POP: Janis Joplin "Big Brother and The Holding Company". Scary. Runner up: Joni Mitchell "Court and Spark" Cheers. |
Stereokarter, while I agree that the distinction between technical prowess and the quality of the music being sung is an important one, this thread is about RECOMMENDATIONS of great (best) female vocals on CD. To me, it's pointless to recommend a recording by someone with great "chops" if I can't stand listening to it; wether it be because the music sucks or as in this case, because the singing lacks any semblence of soul. I can't claim to, nor want to, be able to explain why Celine's singing leaves me cold at best and at worst annoyed. It just does. That is why I can't recommend her records. Barbara Streisand sings similar material and is IMO much more fun to listen to; she is also every bit if not more the accomplished technician. While I admire your willingness to defend someone being criticized, I am a bit perplexed by your taste for Nina Simone. She is in my book, a very different kind of singer from Celine; very soulful if not as good a technician. I'd rather listen to her anytime. Cheers. |
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Bwhite & Frogman: Distinguish between the bitchin' vocals and the lousy music! That's the only way Celine can make it in here. Now let's talk Nina Simone! |
Frogman, I personally am not the biggest Aretha fan, but my wife IS... My wife is a singer and HATES with PASSION Celine and Mariah as well (as do I). But.. society today has somehow lumped their likes in with the great Aretha. I do have quite a few Aretha CD's at my house... Including her MFSL gold versions. IF you have recommendations on better recordings or something, I would LOVE to hear it.
Anyhow.. Check out Rachelle Ferrell and let me know what you think. I would LOVE to hear it! |
Bwhite, I don't know what came over me. I am not usually this sarcastic nor "snippy". I apologize. The power of music I suppose. Your post mentions one of my favorite singers (Aretha) and two of my least favorite (Mariah and Celine) Celine?? Argh!! To see Aretha compared to those two just got the best of me. Anyway, I will check out Rachelle Ferrell; thanks for the tip. |
Bwhite, with all due respect, NOBODY makes Aretha sound like she's got a sore throat. To put Mariah(?) and Celine(???????) in the same sentence with Aretha; well, I don't know what to say. Have you heard much of Aretha's work; specially pre-'90's? Would be glad to offer recommendations. By the way, vocal range means squat as far as artistry goes; although Aretha has it. Ever notice how limited Sinatra's range was? Anyway, none of these are my favorite vocalists. Another time. Cheers. |
alternative rock ('they say'). Soooooo sweet... |
MUST OWN! Rachelle Ferrell - Astonishing! Six-octave range. Her latest album "Individuality" can be found in the Jazz section but it seems a bit more like R & B (but still "jazzy"). Rachelle makes Divas like Mariah, Celine and even Aretha sound like they've got sore throats! Get this album and listen to Track 11. What a range folks. Check link below for Amazon
listing of the CD.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00004W55E/o/qid=984983804/sr=8-1/ref=aps_sr_pm_1_1/107-3732860-9672514 |
Great thread! Canadian Laura Smith has a 'traditional' CD "b'tween the earth and my soul" on which Track 3 "My Bonny" is one of my references. Ditto Emmylou's earlier stuff. Iris Dement & Margo Timmins rate for emotive spirit. Don't forget the Celine Dion "Power of Love" (title track) - her music is much reviled but ohh! the voice - you want to hear top-end female extension? - here it is. Mary Black & the new Macy Gray (yeah, the music sucks, but again, that voice rates with Holiday and Joplin). |
laura fygi,diana krall,shirley horne,holly cole,cassandra wilson are my picks BUT everything has to do with how good it was recorded because there are so many irresponsible recording engineers out there that will break or make the song, performance,and ambience of the recording. i am concerned that many recording engineers MUST use the right recording hardware including cables in order to preserve the emotions in a recording. bottom line shirley horne can sound like janis joplins recordings in the 70s if it is not done right. |
Kasey Chambers, Lucinda Williams, Debbie Davies |
Maybe try the "Trio's" discs, with Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt and Dolly Parton. Anytime you have discs where Linda Ronstadt has the roughest voice, you are doing well. I agree with the consensus the Margo Timmins has the moist, sorry I mistyped that, most unbelievable voice out there currently. I remember clear as day the first time I heard "Trinity Sessions", hanging out with some friends late on a Friday, trying to recover from their version of Sweet Jane, and then I get hit with her vocal on "Postcard Blues". Pity the harmonica pierces your eardrum after you are drawn in.
I just picked up the "Live at the World Cafe Disc" put out by WXPN the local "non-commercial" station in Philadelphia, and I really like Susan Tedeschi and the woman in the band Shivaree which is on the disc.
If Cornfedboy reads this, is the Classics Gold version of "Trinity Sessions" still in print? |
CAROLE KIDD,ELLA FITZGERALD,CARMEN MCRAE,BILLE HOLIDAY,ESTHER OFARIM,JOAN BAEZ,OMARA PORTUONDO,LAURA FYGI.
THE LIST ARE JUST ENDLESS. |
TSK TSK TSK!! SHAME SHAME SHAME!! How can you all forget the very talented and active Dianne Reeves? Her recent live album was nominated for a grammy and to mention a few of my favorites like My Valentine on the Palo Alto Sessions album. Also, the "Quiet after the storm" album offers tracks #9 In A Sentimental Mood and #10 Both Sides Now. Her "I Remember" album offers #2 Misty which is absoulutley gorgeous! trks #8 & #9 titled "You Taught My Heart To Sing and For All We Know". Power, lushness and sweetness comes to mind just off the top. She has just released an album dedicated to Sarah Vaughn by singing some of her greatest hits. Don't sleep on this currently active and beautiful singer!!! |
TSK TSK TSK!! SHAME SHAME SHAME!! How can you all forget the very talented and active Dianne Reeves? Her recent live album was nominated for a grammy and to mention a few of my favorites like My Valentine on the Palo Alto Sessions album. Also, the "Quiet after the storm" album offers tracks #9 In A Sentimental Mood and #10 Both Sides Now. Her "I Remember" album offers #2 Misty which is absoulutley gorgeous! trks #8 & #9 titled "You Taught My Heart To Sing and For all we know". Power, lushness and sweetness comes to mind just off the top. She has just released an album dedicated to Sarah Vaughn by singing some of her greatest hits. Don't sleep on this currently active and beautiful singer!!! |
Janis Ian and Anna Caram are among the most gifted female vocalists I have heard. Ofcourse, many of those previously mentioned are wonderful; Sara M, Margo T., Baez.... |
Every collection needs Amanda McBroom (Dreaming). |
Reba is one of a handful of the very best non-classical singers in the last 30 years. Wonderful voice and knows how to use it. Only problem is the materal she chooses to sing. I still have several of her lps, but have never bought one of her cds. |
Going to get booted for this one! but what about Reba McEntire.... she just makes me very content. (showing my age now). Maybe with your help, I will outgrow this! |
If no one has mentioned the obvious, Tracy Chapman's first CD has great vocal work and not a bad song on the disc, unlike her later and weaker efforts.(material-wise- her voice always sounds great).
Heck, I remember using it to A-B some B& W and Vandersteens I was deciding between.(P.S. Got the Vandy's.)
Most of the rest have been mentioned, I think, but it is worth having Miles Of Aisles as well as the later Joni CD to hear the beauty of her voice earlier, and now the beauty of her interpretation later. |
Hi, under japanese label "Three Blind Mice", they have recordings of brilliant jazz vocalists pressed into XRCD. No one will doubt the quality of XRCD, in addition to that, the famale vocalists were simply great, yet undiscovered. Mari Nakamoto voice timbre's smoky, reminds me of female counterpart of Louis Armstrong. Her albums "Little Girl Blue", "Mari" & "Mari III" are all great treasures. Best female vocalist (Jazz) , i'll vote Mari Nakamoto!!! |
Oh Yeah Karen Carpenter ranks way up there Too! |
Ella Rules. The MSFL 2 Cd set with Louis ARmstrong is a good example. |
Kate Schrock;Dames Rocket. Has been rockin my world lately.
It was mastered by gateway studios and sounds has good has any 24/96 i have heard.Has always great thread |
Excellent thread - most of my favourites have been mentioned. I am especially attracted to singers who write their own material. In that vein - Kate Bush. Her first album, "The Kick Inside", has some great songs, and "Hounds of Love" is just a spectacular recording.
It's too bad the topic is "best female vocals on CD" otherwise I'd plug Amanda McBroom's "The Rose" on Sheffield Labs direct-to-disc. |
