exceptional voices of female singers (non-classical)


What I'm talking about here is what critics of classical singing refer to as "the instrument": the exceptional beauty or uniqueness of the timbre of the voice qua voice.  For the moment, put aside preferences w.r.t. repertoire, interpretation, performance, style, delivery, etc., and just consider the *sound* of the voice.  We're *not* talking about favorite female artists here, because that kind of preference is based on a whole amalgam of factors.

I suspect some of the top figures in the category I've tried to define often aren't very popular among audiophiles, because of those many other factors.

My first three nominations: Barbra Streisand, Linda Ronstadt, Eva Cassidy.

128x128twoleftears
Lou Lou Ghelichkhani, Natalia Clavier, Shana Halligan, Elin Melagarejo. All of these singers perform on many of the Thievery Corporation releases. Thievery somehow finds the most beautiful and angelic female voices from around the world. Check out the Thievery Corporation release "Saudade". This album features all these female artist and more in a mordern Bosa Nova style...excellent!
A few more truly exceptional folk & world female vocalists who seem to be escaping notice:
Teresa Salgueiro
Julie Fowlis
Connie Dover
Kirsty MacColl
Eileen McGann
Loreena McKennitt
Susan McKeown
Najma Akhtar
Mara Aranda
Maddy Prior
June Tabor
Tríona ní Dhomhnaill
Jean Redpath
I thought we got off the intent of this thread a while back but, what the hey...

Grace Potter
Kim Richey
@russmaleartist  Good words.  I agree with you.  I don't think this thread addresses absolute vocal talent, because it is very hard for any of us (myself included) to see beyond our own taste in music.  A singer with a great voice, but who in my perception is without soul or too polished (to the point of losing courage or a raw genuine character) will never reach me, because I just can't stand listening to the music.  I think we all have these musical styles that we like, and within them we are nominating vocalists in that style or genre.

Another who has not been mentioned who I enjoy is Linda Thompson.
I did too, slaw. I also neglected a favorite from the 80's, Maria KcKee of Lone Justice. Another unique, mildly "quirky" voice belongs to a little-known singer named Julianna Raye. Her Jeff Lynne-produced Something Peculiar album is fantastic! I met her in 2001, and was she surprised I knew of her! A very sweet, humble talent. I fell in love with her instantly.
I love the Eva Cassidy album Live at Blues Alley and she can definitely sing in a variety of ways.  Dianne Reeves is a great jazz singer, and Dianne Schurr is another great singer.
Thanks for the tip, @chrisoshea! Did you notice Lisa Fletcher? She's another one of those 20 feet stars that stepped up front from background.
We all have our favorites based on so many reasons: technique, timbre, phrasing, type of music, tone, interpretation, etc. I believe there are cords that reach the human soul and vibrate sympathetically to our personal experiences, our physiological hearing, a message that is delivered . . . but it is a very personal experience; therefore, one may appreciate the strength and power of one voice, the sheer beauty of another . . . but they each fulfill some aspect of satisfaction in one's own soul that no one else can reach or satisfy. I will say one thing with regard to singers in general . . . what passes for talent today certainly in many, but not all case, fall short of the mark of dedication, working one's craft, and paying one's dues to achieve a status of respect, lasting reputation, and one that is totally unique in their own right without sounding like carbon copies of another. The aspect of instant success or being a “hit” or celebrity is given away much to easily and cheaply to many in my opinion . . . and their voices as well as their popular flare that burns hot for a short while soon cools to an ember and burns out to forgetfulness . . . therefore, time is still the test of quality and lasting endurance. I will also say this: for the few that make it into so-called stardom, there are thousands, even millions, who are never recognized for their talent or get the break they truly deserve . . . while many who get there, one has to scratch one's head as ask “WHY?”
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@2channel8 good call on Nicole Atkins.

Beth Ditto ....... of Gossip
Beth Hart
Nanci Griffith
Patty Griffin
Patti Labelle
Brittany Howard ...of Alabama Shakes
Lisa Hannigan
Julia Stone
Tanita Tikaram
Marketa Irglova
Gladys Knight

And as relates to female voice recommendations, a poster to analogplanet.com turned me on to this album; Billy Childs-Map To The Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro- This one is on CD or download only (as far as I know) and is very moving; https://www.amazon.com/Map-Treasure-Reimagining-Laura-Nyro/dp/B00LQ90UZ4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1517591186&sr=8-1&keywords=%27Map+To+The+Treasure%3A+Reimagining+Laura+Nyro%27%3F

 

Yes Karen carpenter great great voice and one of my favorites. Bonnie Rait live her voice and style, and yes, to Katie Malta. 

Bebel girberto 
, Elaine Elias and phylis Hyman.  Listen to Norman conner’s version of betcha by golly wow featuring phylis and you’ll see what I mean.  She left us wayyyy too soon

Was Cassandra Wilson mentioned?  And Nina Simone?

And Mary Black is excellent although not as well known as she is a niche (Irish) market artist.

In pop, Annie Lennox, and although I haven't quite decided, there is something about Adele....
This is an absolutely great forum.  I remember most of the names listed and they bring back memories and make me smile.

great singers and voices. 

I disagree about Whitney Houston and Diana krill having no soul. 

Diana Krall knows the limit of her range and stays there.  Which I respect. Whitney Houston no soul???? Come on now. 

But the names listed wow.  The key to me also is/was seeing them live. People are leaving us much too soon. Go see them while you can.  

Also, Shirley Horn.   Every time she came to LA before she passed I went to see her.  Sitting at the bar after a set with a drink talking to people.  Great.

linda Ronstat,  great voice. 

Roberta Flack in her prime had one of the best voices I’ve heard.

Etta James wow!!

enjoy
Karen Carpenter has the best female voice I've ever heard. 

I also like:
Christine (Perfect) McVie
Gloria Estefan
Carol King
Natalie Merchant
Clare Torry - "The Great Gig in the Sky" fame

Thanks @bdp24 for recognition of Darlene Love. She never gets the recognition I think she deserves.
So many great nominees, and a few new to me.I'll have to do some research.
A few I didn't see:
Bonnie Dobson, who wrote and first recorded Morning Dew.
BONNIE RAITT, or did I miss her?
If you've never heard the all-girl group, ISIS; Carol MacDonald has a delicious contralto.
Speaking of contraltos, Chrissy Amphlett of the Divynals, Amy Winehouse, Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blond..Luv 'em

Did we miss Margo Timmins of Cowboy Junkies?

There are too many amazing background singers to mention; but the Blu-Ray of 20 FEET FROM STARDOM covers many of them.
Of special merit are Clair Torey (Great Gig in the Sky) and Merry Clayton (Gimme Shelter). Rosemary Butler is another fav.

I don't know if we can count her, because she is an opera singer; but Olivia Safe contributed such amazing vocals to Jeff Beck's SERENE, that I thought it was a synthesizer. Never heard anyone hit the highs she does.

Three I am rooting for:
Nicole Atkins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lefhIHdWs3I
Frazy Ford for her unique sound
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXRrySTujn8
Bonnie Bishop, an evolving talent.
These are the only ones I've heard who belong in the top tier of "as close to vocally pure as possible".

Ann Wilson
I saw her in concert in her prime and when she sang Dream of the Archer it just sent chills through me. She lost it by the late 80's.

Oceans of Slumber's Cammi Gilbert
Check out their song Sunlight (Live) on Youtube, or their new song The Banished Heart
(caution: Metal, but I think most can handle it. It's mild.)

Bonnie Raitt
I don't know why her voice sounds so much better on ballads, but her rendition of I Can't Make You Love Me is stunning. Adele attempted this song and butchered it. Only Bonnie can pull it off.

Whitney Houston
Celine Dion
Not my style, but I appreciate their stunning talent.
Great question., most surveys by highly regarded voice coaches consider Karen Carpenter the finest contralto voice ever recorded. Just released complete set of new vinyl albums.  Feb 4 will be 35 years since she died.   
Should add that Celine Rudolph is German jazz singer based in France who has training in African and Brazilian music in addition to jazz. Check out her legant vocals on her album with remarkably talented jazz guitarist Lionel Louke titled Obsessions. The music is beautiful, intimate, and playful.

Maria Bethania is a singer, a mega-star, from Brazil; her music spans styles from samba to bossa nova to jazz. Check out Santa Barbara, the first track from her 2009 album Encanteria. Gorgeous vocals. Beautifully recorded.

G
If you are talking about pure vocal magnificence, perfect timbre, and extraordinary range that is absolutely mesmerizing, then any compilation about this topic is a complete joke if these two are not included: Eydie Gorme and Linda Eder. Without a doubt, two of the finest, most spellbinding and  enrapturing voices ever. I've seen Linda Eder 3 times, and am in awe of her.  Eydie Gorme, of Steve & Eydie fame, died about 3 or 4 years ago. She sang in English and Spanish, and the power and clarity of her voice was incredible. I saw her in the early '80's with Steve Lawrence and she was astonishing.  She was a once in a lifetime talent. Go to Youtube and you'll see, all you young whippersnappers! The same can be said of Linda Eder (twice in lifetime?) Linda Eder is a national treasure who should be a huge star, but she doesn't seek the lime
light. She makes most all go these popular singers of the day sound like complete hacks. Ironically, she started out on Star Search in the 80's and blew everybody away, won easily and later had success on Broadway.  These two reign supreme if you are talking about "the instrument" in my opinion.
 Eva Cassidy is right up there also. Honorable mention I would say Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Astrud Gilberto (the Girl from Ipanema), Streisand in her prime, Nancy Wilson, Dinah Washington, Julie Budd, Julie London, Karen Carpenter and I'll throw in Shelby Lynne because her "Just a little lovin'" album is a knockout.
Bottom line; excluding Eydie Gorme and Linda Eder from any list of greatest singers invalidates the whole discussion, imho.
Norma Winstone
Susanna Wallumrod
Josefine Cronholm
Inara George
Harriet Wheeler (The Sundays)
Karen Peris (The Innocence Mission)
Adrienne Albert (classical)

Two that have not been mentioned yet:

Margo Timmons (Cowboy Junkies)

Kelly Flint (Dave's True Story)

Some of the same as mentioned by others and some I love I didn't see mentioned;

Sandy Denny
Alison Krauss
Laura Nyro
Dionne Warwick
Joni Mitchell
Anaïs Mitchell (No relation) Saw her live recently...unbelievable beauty in her voice, great songwriting/guitar and overall vibe, beautiful woman, inside and out; 
https://www.npr.org/event/music/166566464/ana-s-mitchell-tiny-desk-concert



 


Damn, how could I have left out Patsy Cline?! And Carole King?! And Big Mama Thornton (the female Howlin’ Wolf)?! Etta James, Eartha Kitt, Irma Thomas, Patti Page, and so many more.
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Hi Al,
Thanks for the heads up. I'm a little ashamed to admit that at 63 I have heard of the Seekers, but nothing beyond that except for maybe Georgy Girl. I just ordered a best of CD with the songs you mentioned from Amazon prime for 8.99.
John
On last CBS Sunday Morning show, was introduced to singer
Marilyn Maye. Ms. Maye sings in the classic style of the 30s and 40s.
She was hitting her stride at the time of the British Invasion in the mid 60s and got lost in the shuffle. She is till going strong, in her 90s, and can be found on YouTube.
Thanks very much, John (Roxy54). Here are some videos of Judith Durham with The Seekers, which provide about as good an indication of the quality of her voice as one is likely to find in a YouTube video of a 1960s recording:

"The Carnival Is Over" (composed for them by Tom Springfield, Dusty’s brother, who wrote a lot of their hits):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5G1OkFLQPY

"Someday, One Day" (composed for them by Paul Simon):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiIqhY5-SKY

"Love Is Kind, Love Is Wine" (composed by Bruce Woodley, the guitarist on Judith's right):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VAAMueQQYk

Best regards,
-- Al

I'll check out Judith Durham All, because I trust you, and I certainly agree with Connie Francis, she's a natural.

I would like to add Mary Fahl of October Project. A beautifully pure but smoky voice. I really don't know of another voice like hers.