Best female vocals on CD

Hey Subaruguru, I think your comments about Peggy Lee are exactly right and the rest ARE apprentices. I hope I live long enough to hear them grow up. Can you imagine Krall with another twenty or thirty years on her pipes? I can hardly wait!

All the above singers are wonderful. But! Iam surprised i don't see Phoebe Snow. She not only has a beautiful voice, it is also one of the most unique. Check out the song poetry man.

Billie Holiday

Eva Cassidy. (I havent read all the entries above and dont know if anyone mentioned her). Try her Live at Blues Alley and Eva by Heart. Honorable mention: Mary Black (not the last 3 cds, go for her earlier stuff), Gilliam Welch (Revival mentioned above), Etta James, Irma Thomas. Iris Dement and Lucinda Williams belong in a class of their own because they are singer-songwriters and, well, because there's non one else like them.

So meny, Holly Cole,Diana Krall,Patricia Barber,Jean Armatrading, K.D. Lang. The list is endless!

Hey what about the opera Diva's? I like Renee Fleming, WOW what a voice she has!

I agree with the person who spoke of Rachelle Ferrell's 1st instrument cd. Great voice,good songs, well recorded. Pat Barber is good when she doesn't sound like she's on the verge of falling asleep,[which is most of the time].

I have a classical sampler with introductions by Sandra King (of NPR.) Her voice makes me weak in the knees. Does this count?

Here's a new one that I just picked up. Dolora Zaijick "The Art of the Dramatic Mezzo-Soprano. On the Telarc label. She is a classical singer with an outstanding voice. Still really don't know who she is, but she sure can sing.

Siddh, check out kd's "Absolute Torch and Twang", the production is not so heavy and the songs range from fun to moving. Wotta voice! She swoops, but with pipes like that she is allowed to. First cut on "All You Can Eat" is good to test the system for boominess.

Anybody out there ever listen to a couple of pretty obscure albums from a yound lady by the name of Valerie Carter? Very impressive indeed. But then she just up and disappeared. Also can't say enough about Karla Bonoff.

My current favorite is Shirley Horn. No question. Try "I thought about you" on Verve cd. This is a master at work. Passionate singing combined with a piano style few can match. Pure talent. Sara Vaughan is my first choice among singers who are no longer with us for jazz. Mahalia Jackson is my choice for greatest of all time. Pure talent once again.

...and now for something from left field: JEAN DANTON is a Boston-based soprano who cut a disc on Albany called AMERICAN DREAMERS: about 25 songs from Foster through Ives, Kern, Gershwin, Bernstein (inc. a couple of premieres), recorded at Jordan Hall (more intimate acoustic than Symphony Hall) with Stumpf on their Steinway D. Her simple and honest stylings are a refreshing change from overproduced fair, and the recording is magnificent, with LOTS of ambience. Lemme know if you can't find a copy. Similar to Dawn Upshaw's artsong outings but with less coyness or preciousness!

What a coincidence, Dalelogix! After pleasantly sitting through an hour or so of Krall's latest, I happened upon Fi magazine's sampler, and played Janis Ian's "Breaking Silence"---couldn't believe it was her! Wonderful lyric, magnificently sung. Now you've got me interested in finding the album...but where? Curiosity led me to dig out a Chesky vocal disc of a few years back (for the Liv Taylor cut), and I stumbled upon the tune by PEGGY LEE. Her complete mastery and flair really took me aback. I happened to have an older friend over who has 40+ years of jazz-listening experience, so when I told him I barely remembered the "White Owl Cigar" TV ad he laughed---and regaled me with stories of Ms. Lee's abilities with a song. So I found that Chesky Peggy Lee CD (on eBay), and am now marveling at what this chanteuse (who's voice is well past prime) can still do. Krall, Barber (isn't she great?), Pigeon, Upshaw, are all apprentices by comparison. Enjoy!

Check out Janis Ian's Breaking Silence

I can't understand how everyone has managed to overlook Brittany Spears! Also, have you never heard of Cher? And speaking of extremely talented, single-name singers, who could forget Melanie? ("I Got a Pair of Brand New Rollerskates," "Beautiful People.")Edie Brickell? Shanna Twain? Joan Jett? Pat Benetar? Also, I'm not sure if she's female or not, but I think Barney's sidekick, Baby Bop, is awesome!

Tubegroover - I really have to give my wife credit for most of the suggestions that I have posted in this thread. I know that this is why I snapped at Sluggo who I know nothing of other than his Boooooring post. I grew up in Des Moines listening mostly to "loud" popular music of the 60's and 70's and some instrumental jazz and big band stuff that my father had. I became overloaded with music in general after attempting to make a living writing and performing it when I moved to LA in the late 70's and literaly did not listen to music from 1985 to 2000. I had an extreme love for music and at the same time an extreme lack of talent which made for an extreme amount of frustration. Now I discover that I appreciate all types of music and musicians as long as their is an underlying talent that involves me in the music. I try to go to the local highschool fleamarket every Sunday and yesterday picked up two Cowboy Junkies CD's and the second Cranberries CD that were suggested in this thread. They are good bands producing sincere music. We do not listen to the radio or "borrow" with Napster so I would again like to take this opportunity to thank the people that have contributed to this thread. I showed my list to the vendor at the fleamarket who seems to have listened to "every album ever recorded" and he was very impressed with it.

Dekay I normally don't listen much to show music other than some of the stuff I listened to as a kid growing up. I do however like to see shows and my wife and I will go to community theatre and see touring companies of broadway musicals. I have a copy of the 1988 RCA "Anything Goes" given to me by one of my broadway loving sisters. I hardly ever listen but will since you mention it.

So are you Sluggo.

Ginny Owens album Without Condition. Heavenly voice, worthwhile lyrics, style, tremendous engineering. Music lovers and audiophiles alike should enjoy this one. This really is a great album that will cause you to sit back and enjoy what your music system can do. It may take awhile to get accustomed to her vocal stylings. For me my enjoyment continues grow with each listening.

charlotte church WAS 13 when she recorded "voice of an angel." (what a stupidly-named disc.) she's 15 now. her latest release is self-titled. both discs are really BOOOOOORING.

"Sarah Vaughan possessed one of the most wondrous voices of the 20th century. Sarah ranked will Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday in the very top echelon of famale jazz singers. She often gave the impression that her wide range, perfectly controlled vibrato, and wide expressive abilities, she could do anything she wanted with her voice", from All Music Guide. Ms. Vaughan is the best female JAZZ vocalist on CD; 'nuff said.

We listened to Charlotte Church "Voice of an Angel" this evening. She is thirteen years and has an incredible voice.

Jgyl while your on Brazilian singers try Simone, Gal Costa, Clara Nunes and Alcione they are all great singers.

How about - Bebel Gilberto (Brazilian artist) and Samia Farah (French artist), both of the cd's are recorded really well. You guys should check these out!!!

Nice Tubegroover! I didn't think that anyone was interested in non-groovy performers, no offense Mary - you are a legend. I would like to add Patti LuPone from the new Broadway cast recording of "Anything Goes", RCA 1988. And also, Nancy Walker and Betty Comden from "On The Town" the original cast, Columbia.

My all time favorite Jazz singers are Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughn, and asked to choose between the two I really couldn’t. They both have what it takes to be considered great in my book, voices, phrasing, style, range and originality. I love them both. Today I would agree that Shirley Horn is carrying the torch. Diana Krall will never let you forget her with that image of her blonde hair blowing in the wind while sitting at the keyboards. It’s not hard to like her. I enjoy listening but she is really not a great stylist, just an overall excellent performer who stays within her range and well knows her limitations. Oh Whitney Houston, What happened to you girl? I really held so much hope for you. That voice oh how wasted on such ….better not say it out loud. Gosh I could go on with many of the others but there really is no point, many of the above have done better than I so I’m just going to mention one voice that I didn’t see here but think belongs. She isn’t my very favorite, but she did a whole lot for Broadway and show music, (I HAD to listen, 3 sisters OK?). What about Mary Martin? I suggest a listen to the Original Broadway “Sound of Music” Her voice on some of those songs really moves me. Power, feeling, joy and honesty. I can’t come up with any female broadway artist that did it better. As for Janis Joplin. I saw her perform at The “Electric Factory” in the late 60’s. It was tragic watching her with the ever present bottle, but one thing I’ll never forget about her and it comes back every time I listen was how she projected her feelings, it all came out when she sang, that is her legacy. I’ve never seen anyone that moved me more.

Duh! Just found out from my adopted daughter/neighbor that Trisha Yearwood is country/pop. One of her favorites and she is a profesional vocalist.

Trisha Yearwood is on the soundtrack CD to "Stuart Little" the mouse movie. Very nice disco-ish vocals, and assume that she has other albums/CD's. I had mentioned the late great Laura Nyro earlier in this thread and a few days later stumbled upon "The Best Of Laura Nyro", a double CD. Unfortunatley her voice does not ring true on this compilation by Sony/Columbia due to poor sound engineering (way beyond the CD vs vinyl debate, just a plain crappy over compressed/limited and tasteless job). Except for three live cuts that the engineer(s) did not botch, it does not bring back the fond memories of listening to the vinyl versions. Picked up Holly Cole "Temptation" and could not get into it at all. Though she's interesting in a kind of "Beat me up, take me home and call me Peggy" way. Not to everyone's taste. On a more positive note Linda Thompson of Richard and Linda has a great voice and so did (young) Nico of Lou Reed fame. Claudine Longet is a nice piece of vocal fluff, just don't play her around the Olympic Ski Team.

Let's not forget Janis Joplin. She did for rock music and the blues, what Billie Holiday did for jazz and Bessie Smith did for the blues. Some of my favorites: Patricia Barber, Jennifer Warnes, Judy Mowatt (reggae queen), Ella Fitzgerald, Esther Saddisfield (sp) she vocals on Chuck Mangione's Land Of Make Believe, Linda Ronstadt (for her versatility), Diana Krall (for her bedroom voice), Sarah Vaughn, Etta James, and Keith Richards (oops!)

Looking through my cd collection....only female artists I seem to consistently reach for are Enya, Aretha Franklin, Diana Krall, and Rebecca Pidgeon. Just this evening, opened Etta James "Life, Love, and the Blues" (1998) and know I have found something. Sorry boys, I went out and bought Cowboy Junkies' "Miles From Our Home," and MT just doesn't "do it" for me. And I went and bought a Linda Ronstadt...I mean Jennifer Warnes cd....that is nice as well. Thanks for all the great advice. Charlie

Margo Timmins/Cowboy Junkies on the Trinity Sessions. Probably the best soundstage/live feel.

Diana Krall, Holly Cole, and Sara Brightman are all great. I would add to this distinguished list Rickie Lee Jones for her album "POP POP" which is outstanding. In the classical arena I would list Kathleen Battle for her "Live at Carnegie Hall" CD. But this is just for classical music lovers. That is what makes choosing a "Best female on CD" so difficult.

Second the votes on Holly Cole - love the entire Don't Smoke in Bed disc. And Diana Krall recordings are rich and lush. Carly Simon is good. Her 3 CD set has some nice rare work. Sara Brightman is good on some numbers too but occasionally she decides to be a real show off and shrieks the upper octaves like fingernails on a chalkboard.

I do not know if she has already been mentioned but I recall listening to Laura Nyro in the early 70's and finding her vocals to be quite moving. I have not searched for her on CD but will do so soon. My wife picked up a CD by Vonda Shepard who sings in the bar on the "Ally McBeal" television show. I am not familiar with the show but enjoy her singing and find that she reminds me of Carol King on some of the cuts. Also interesting is Marlene Dietrich - "Live at the Cafe de Paris". It takes a few songs to get past the recording quality (Sony) but eventualy draws your complete attention. This is a little off the track but last night I listened to Gram Parsons "GP/Grevious Angel" a compilation of 20 songs dating as far back as 1973 and featuring Emmylou Harris on backup vocals and it was super, Gram as well as Emmylou. I heard Diana Krall for the first time on the television last week and liked it though I would prefer to just listen and not see her perform. Just ordered one of her CD's from BMG. This is a helpful thread for those of us not in the know and has given me a nice list of things to pick up. Thanks.

Holly Cole must be on this list. Check out "Dark Dear Heart" for her pop style or "Don't Smoke in Bed" if you prefer jazz. Many people are enamored with this Canadian artist on first hearing. She's one of my top 3 favorites and I've been buying female vocal CD's for 16 years.

I agree with so many of those mentioned...Margo Timmins, Ella, Holly Cole, early Linda Ronstadt, Sarah Mclaughlin,k.d.land(fantastic live!). How about Stevie Nicks on "Rhiannon" and "Silver Spring", and also some of the Indigo Girls.

Anyone listen to Laura Love? Check out "Octoroon".

Has anyone mentioned Sarah Brightman? It would be a sin to exclude her from this great list.

Jill Phillips self-titled debut album is excellent.

Judy Mowatt sings very passionately about life's issues. She has a great voice and I really love her heart. It would be great to hear her sing Christian songs.

Diana Krall without a doubt! Especially the "Love Scenes" recording. This recording is spooky real, late night with the lights down low, heard through a pair of Martin Logan Electrostatics. It doesn't get much better than this!

You would not believe Vanessa Williams "The Sweetest Days". "Constantly" is also an amazing solo demo track (#11). Her other CDs I don't really care for, but this one is incredible with smooth sexy ballads as well as fun spunk.

Try Natalie Merchant / Tigerlily. It's great!

Cesaria Evora!!!!! You just have to hear it!!!

I was knocked out by KD Lang's ternary; "Even Cowgirl's Get The Blues", "Ingenue", and "All You Can Eat". Although, much if her music is overproduced, having seen her live has helped me appreciate her range and emotional expression. Roseanne Cash's "10 Song Demo" is surprisingly beautiful. Whitney Houston is someone I hear solely on HBO, but her voice is remarkable. As far as great musical experiences few can top Janis Joplin. Total heart and soul(ass-kicking drugs, too) run through this woman's veins. Indigo girl's self-titled CD is great from beginning to end. PJ Harvey is one ball buster, and I get off on her ass-dragging delivery and lyrics. Grace Jones has demonstrated ripping vocals that mesh so well with her hard driving bass lines. Great fun to listen to. Yvonne Elliman, Clapton's "Slowhand" back-up and voice of the original Mary Magdalene in "Jesus Christ Superstar" has a lovely voice. In Jazz, Sara Vaughan, Helen Merrill, Abbey Lincoln Ms. Fitzgerald, Betty Carter, Dinah Washington lead the pack. Contemporaries, Randy Crawford, Diana Krall, Natalie Cole, etc., offer much, but I am not nearly as moved. I know nearly nothing of the Diva world, but realize the best must be within this genre.

Try Rachell Farrell (First Instrument). She will have a new CD out this month. Absolutely breathtaking. I also like Joni Mitchell's "Mingus" CD.

As a P.S. to my above...Rosanne Cash was mentioned by a previous person.. An excellent example of a woman putting emotion and her own style into a song...rather than the endless string of manufactured female singers in what has become of Country Music.

Sometimes what is most enjoyable about any singer, male or female..is a sence of style. Chet Baker was not a great singer or trumpet player...but he could put emotion and style in a song.....and he became popular. There has been some Diana Krall bashing above....and, I believe her success is great for the world of vocal Jazz. Yes Ella and Sarah.. may have had greater voices..but they are no longer with us. Is it better for Jazz to die in their absence...I think not. There have been many highly trained singers and players..that have failed..because their technical playing was without the emotion and spirit that us humans are drawn to. This is why a June Christy, Rosie Clooney, Nancy Wilson and many more are such a joy to listen to....style and emotion. Perhaps it is much like sports cars....for many years the world has been drawn to sports cars from Italy and England....that are anything but reliable...but they have soul..and you become attached to them. The last sports car I had from Japan was totally reliable, but without soul or style...and I was never attached to it. So it goes with music...without spirit and soul...it might as well be from a computer......actually, I guess much of todays pop/rock is.

This may not be your cup of tea, but I find Bright Red/Tightrope by Laurie Anderson a very interesting work. The final cut, "Same Time Tomrrow" is stunning on my system. I know what is coming but I still jump every time. Best enjoyed late at night, listening alone, in the dark.