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Hi derrick, Sia does have the following on vinyl. http://www.importcds.com/search?mod=AP&q=Sia&ft=LP%20Vinyl |
Lots of great singers mentioned; you can't go wrong with any of them. I'm going to go in a different direction based on my recent experience.
My speakers are relatively high efficiency (96 dB single driver)
and I thought that 300b or EL-34 SET amps would be sufficient in my 14 x 24' room, especially since I don't listen to symphonic music or at high volumes. I have an active bi-amp system with 200 wpc class D power driving dual 10" woofers on each channel, but I still heard some hardness creeping in when I moved the volume up a little that I interpreted as distortion. I decided to pay heed to the comments that suggested that amps that low in output were best paired with a true high eff speaker of 100 dB or more. I can't afford 100 dB speakers like the Audio Classics, so I went to a bigger amp, a 30 watt OTL. My concern about giving up the EL-34 SET's mid-range magic was unfounded. In fact, it was the opposite. The vocals, female or male, are truly goose-bump raising. A quantum leap in SQ. Pretty much no matter what I've put on, I've been stunned. Even my long-suffering wife is impressed. I'm not talking about an amp you need a second mortgage to afford. I spent well under $3K used and I couldn't be happier. PM me if you want a good deal on an SET; I don't think I am going back. |
I’m heavily into the Blues, so a few of my favs... Diane Schuur – Blues for Schuur Karen Lovely - Still the Rain Bonnie Raitt - Million Miles Beth Hart - any Katie Webster - any Sena Ehrhardt - Cold Cold Feeling Valerie Wellington - A Fool for You E.G. Kight - Let the Healing Begin Etta James - Cheating in the Next Room Deborah Coleman - Happy When You're Unhappy Joanne Shaw Taylor - Diamonds in the Dirt Shemekia Copeland - Long as I Can See the Light Susan Tedeschi - Walking Blues The Professor’s Blues Review featuring Gloria Hardiman – Meet Me With Your Black Drawers On |
Jaybe nailed it for #1. Some candidates for #3 (Not the absolute best, but highly under appreciated) Bonnie Raitt. Listen to Cry Like a Rainstorm by Linda Ronstadt (a clear contender for #2). Then Listen to Bonnie's version. Which conveys more emotion? And her "I Can't Make You Love Me" is a classic. For technical perfection as a lead and background singer, I think Jennifer Warnes needs more recognition. Come to think of it, we should do a best background singer thread. |
Here's my current new discovery; Nicole Atkins. I may be influenced by the proximity of our Jersey Shore stomping grounds. https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=nicole+atkins&&view=detail&mid=F8465D0B6AF1BFC41077... https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=nicole+atkins&&view=detail&mid=0C3032C81F01E45349F6... |
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Someone mentioned Patti Smith at the beginning of this thread. The song from her that always gave me goose bumps is Wave. Here are some others.... Diana Krall - Case of you Joni Mitchell - Woodstock (performed live just her and the piano) Phoebe Snow - Poetry Man Live (The woman with the four octave voice) Janis Ian - At Seventeen Tori Amos - Icicles Patricia Barber - Autumn Leaves (Performed live at Ladies’ Jazz Festival in Gdynia) Loreena McKennitt - Dante’s Prayer Ariane Lydon - Speechless at Ground Zero Sandy Denny - Battle of Evermore (Led Zeppelin, ZOSO) |
I read through these posts and I am glad to see all the names I thought would be there. There are actually a couple I'm surprised are not there but I also think they should not. I have to give a shout out to Cher; after all this time. Jeez she just keeps going and going GOOD. I once went to see her (with Sonny) at a small club and the electricity went out. They sat and made the best of it for awhile and then Cher asked if the audience would like her to try a couple songs; a capella. She sang Summertime and Danny Boy with absolutely no accompaniment or PA. They were just beautiful and have been in love with her ever since. And I have to add; Esther Satterfield (w/ Chuck Mangione_Land of make believe) and Cilla Black, only because Alfie was SO cool. |
Certainly, Lisa Gerrard, ( IMO the most spectacular voice ... Sanvean is extraordinary ... among many many others ... ) Elizabeth Fraser, ( little exercice: on Youtube listen Song of the Siren from Brian Ferry then, from Robert Plant, and after, see what Liz can do with the same song ... Unbelievable! ) Susan Janet Ballion, ( S.he's S.o crazy ! - I love it! ) Montserrat Figueras Sofie von Otter ... also very good: Sinéad O'Connor, Sarah Mc Lachlan, Grace Slick, Dolores O'Riordan Catherine Ringer, Kate Pierson, Norah Jones, Karen Orzolek, Beth Gibbons, Azam Ali, Liquid voice category: Nana Mouskouri, Karen Carpenter, Ella Fitzgerald, Édith Piaf, Klaus Nomi ... |
My preference is to listen to female singers so this thread has been great. I’m surprised Sade has not been mentioned. I am always mesmerized by her singing. Suzanne Vega - not goose bumps, but love the story telling in her songs, Caramel a favorite Dido - WhiteFlag, Life for Rent - acoustic versions, she has many other great songs. Anyone know what happened to her. Lastly, this week I am driving in my car and listening to the radio and heard this voice that was amazing - Alice Merton, check her out on YouTube and listen to the unplugged versions. |
Did we mention Margo Timmins of the Cowboy Junkies? Understated; but moving! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjZ-biRvTuc |