Antony for sure: Gorgeous voice. In the biological sense, isn't Antony Hegarty still a man? His/her voice is certainly that of a woman. I think Antony is channeling Nina Simone! Great call, regardless. Definitely gives me goosebumps. I'm particularly fond of the EP, The Lake. That first title cut, putting an Edgar Allan Poe verse to music, gives me the chills every time. I find it interesting how diverse the responses are here - to me it reads more like a thread responding to "who are your favorite female vocalists". There are so many here that I too enjoy, but that I'd never say gave me goosebumps. I wonder what quality it is that does this for others. I don't know that I could put it into words. Something like silky smooth, organic, sensual...I don't know, but many of the choices people are mentioning, though I very much like them, don't fit my own criteria. |
My favorite Antony song is "Knocking on Heaven's Door" from the "I'm Not There" soundtrack CD. I'll call my independant record store tomorrow for "The Lake." Thanks for the tip. Patti Smith it's her album "Twelve." I think that counter-tenor male voices emote through the same spiritual channels as female vocalists, never mind the genitalia. |
Is Antony the guy who sang on the Leonard Cohen Tribute Movie? If so he is great. Can see why someone listening might think he is a woman. By the way I had mentioned Rene Marie as my new favorite. Here is a youtube clip of her singing the Black National Anthem. Check it out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSbHz_ZQRFc |
kd lang singing Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah". I agree with Shadorne about Joan Baez singing Diamonds and Rust and would also suggest some of her earlier work on Bob Dylan songs. Then, to go in another direction entirely, there are those songs that give goose bumps because the singer is putting everything she has into the song. A lot of Aretha, Janis in "(Take Another Little) Piece of My Heart," and even -- guilty pleasure confession -- "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler. (Hope that doesn't get me banned.) |
Gee, I'm genuinely surprised that out of 61 responses so far, just a small handful have mentioned classical performers. I appreciate pop as much as many others, but on an audiophile-oriented forum, and considering the misguided and low quality engineering that goes into most pop recordings, I'm really surprised. Regards, -- Al |
Almarg - I'm a bit surprised as well, although looking back over some of the suggestions I'd say that most were not in the conventional, poorly engineered 'pop' category (though certainly some are). In the spirit of your post I'll add four I haven't seen so far; two classical, one alt-country, and one blues/soul/jazz: Cecilia Bartoli Anna Netrebko Margo Timmons (Cowboy Junkies) Casandra Wilson |
Anyone who really means what she sings. A few come to mind... Emmylou Harris - Boulder to Birmingham...arguably the best love song ever written because it is real. Tori Amos - Little Earthquakes...she is crazy, though. Sinead O'Connor - the traditional Irish stuff...she is an overlooked talent who is truly Irish to the core. Poe - the female F. Scott Fitzgerald of our times...she is intense and utterly brilliant. Aimee Mann - Lost in Space...You hear; you know. |
Many of my favorites are already listed like Rickie Lee Jones and Karen Carpenter. Forgive me if I missed it, but I'm surprised Eva Cassidy wasn't mentioned yet. Another singer IMO worth checking out is Shawn Colvin. I'm not too hip to the classical female singers but out the ones I am familiar with I'd have to give Renee Fleming and Anna Netrebko a nod. Enjoy, Tom |
Regarding classical performers. It seems like those recordings are not recorded the same way, with as much care, with a good mic. I don't listen to much classical for that reason. You need to get out more :-) I'd refer you back to my earliest suggestion; check out the voice of Montserrat Figueras, on the Alia Vox recording of, El Cant de la Sibil-la. That recording (available on SACD as well) will raise the hairs on the back of your neck on a good system. In fact all of the Alia Vox recordings (I believe the company is owned by her talented husband, Jordi Savall) that I've heard are consistently excellent recordings with obvious great care taken in their production. Fortunately they are also consistently great performances as well. Also try the classical choices on the ECM label for consistent quality. Great jazz on the latter too. Alia Vox is all early music. |
Bassey the Belter is quite capable of raising goosebumps with quite a few songs, just to name two, "I (Who Have Nothing), and "This Is My Life." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0pOAVGvePQ |
My vote for the best female voice goes for Mercedes Sosa. (Argentina) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes_Sosa See the following videos on Youtube and let me guys know what you think .) Martin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyOJ-A5iv5I http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvd-8DRur-A http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0QFkpUhBFo&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kALs6dRxTyg&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CAesBCjk20 |
I am new here but, I want to jump on this one. Mary Ann Price in her hey day with Dan Hicks. Maria Callus, Emmy Lou Harris on most all of her early recordings, Iris Dement,Patsy Cline! Buffy Saint Marie but, only on the album with "Magic is Afoot" on it. How many do I get? lol...Joni Mitchell on so many recordings but, most particularly the album "Blue" Jazz? Nora Jones, Diana Krall...Ella, Billy Holiday and the unbeatable Etta James, Lena Horne, Nina Simone!. Okay, I promise to stop. Bijork sometimes...and Cleotha, Yvonne and Mavis Staples. |
