I suggest you try "Calypso Blues" by Youn Sun Nah. It's just female vocal and upright bass.
Looking for good recordings of female vocals I have not yet tried...
Most of my listeing is female vocals and classic Jazz. I have enjoyed current and older female singers. I have most of Billie Holiday through current Diana Krall and Julia Fordham. I enjoy good voices mainly acoustic. It would be helpful if it is music I can sample online. If the backing is mainly loud elctronic I would likely pass. Thanks for your thoughts and experience.
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Possibly now viewed as quite uncool: Julie London, 'Around Midnight' album1960 Doris Day, Secret Love among many others Lani Hall (already mentioned) Sergio Mendez &B66 'Equinox' 1967 Swingle Singers, especially with Christiane Legrand (Michel's sister), but the modern incarnations are also good and well recorded, e.g. Bach hits back Surprised not to see Sarah Vaughn mentioned yet... |
I have been thinking to myself "Why are people recommending non-Jazz female singers?" I just realized the request was for female singers in general, not just Jazz. Duh! Some of my faves have already been mentioned (Lucinda Williams, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Dusty Springfield, Patsy Cline, Shelby Lynne, Alison Krauss, Rosanne Cash, etc.), others haven’t. They include:
- Iris DeMent (Traditional Country/Bluegrass). - Julie Miller (Singer/Songwriter, Contemporary Christian). - Sam Phillips (Singer/Songwriter, Contemporary Christian). - Mary Gauthier (Singer/Songwriter, Folk). - Lou Ann Barton (Blues, R & B). - Darlene Love (Soul, R & B, Pop). - Joan Osborne (R & B, Pop). - Kasey Chambers (Trad. Country). - Dolly Parton (Trad. Country, Bluegrass). - Tammy Wynette (Trad. Country). - Loretta Lynn (Trad. Country). - Carlene Carter (Rock ’n’ Roll, Trad. Country). - Mavis Staples (Soul, R & B, Gospel). - Bonnie Raitt (Blues, R & B). - Wanda Jackson (Rockabilly). - Brenda Lee (Rock ’n’ Roll, Rockabilly, Pop). - Patty Loveless (Trad. Country, Bluegrass). - June Carter (Trad. Country). - Maryann Price (Dan Hicks, The Kinks, Asleep At The Wheel).
There are dozens more, but that’s enough for starters ;-) . |
This is one of the best, most informative and interesting threads ever. I have no digital in my main system. Only TT analog. So, I am missing out on probably the best thing about digital: learning about new music. I bought the first three woman’s album. All are exactly what I like most: solo guitar, etc. non processed, super interesting women singers whose interpretations are unique and highly musical. Partly, I wanted to make this comment so I would have this thread in “related to you”. |
Ella Fitzgerald has to be included. Anita O'Day is another very good jazz singer. Peggy Lee sizzles. Cécile McLorin Salvant is worth a listen
Great thread - I've been enlightened. I didn't know; Susie Arioli Kristin Asbjørnsen Melody Bardot (Wow - she's great) Youn Sun Nah All are now in my playlist - Thanks!! |
Mindy Smith: One Moment More..... Surprisingly good recording and good music to boot Eva Cassidy: Live at Blues Alley..... Clean recording, can get a bit hot on a few spots, but overall, very good. Erin Bode: Don't Take Your Time, Over and Over, Little Garden, Here and Now....All recordings are good to very good, nice laid back jazzy sound... I like all of these albums.
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I recent had an interesting experience at a friend’s house. He has a terrific system using a very high end digital kit. Maybe around $50K. We listened to several cuts the digital then the analog. I was somewhat subjectively convinced of the superiority of vinyl when hearing C,S,N &Y. As a lifetime guitar guy, I am very familiar with the tone of a $250K+ old Martin the likes of which David Crosby plays. The tone of his guitar on digital sound great. But the tone with analog TT clearly sounded like an old Martin. There was no comparison. Analog hands down. Not just incredible detail but incredible reality!
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Give a listen (or more) to Susanne Sundfør's wonderful album Music for People in Trouble. Not only she's got a beautiful voice, the lyrics is also something else (plus, from an audiophile perspective, you'll enjoy all the ambient noises). It's been on my turntable regularly for years, and I can't get bored of its beauty. |
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Many great suggestions. Not mentioned: Shirley Horn “Here’s To Life” - Gorgeous recording. Arrangements by the great Johnny Mandel. Abbey Lincoln “You Gotta Pay The Band” - Bonus: Stan Getz as guest soloist. Phoebe Snow “Phoebe Snow”. Fantastic record in a “folksy” vein. Guest appearance by Zoot Sims. Bonus: Great sounding, mostly acoustic, recording. Elis Regina. Probably the greatest Brazilian female vocalist of all time. Anything by her is worthwhile, Netania Navrath “Chants d’Auvergne” (Canteloube). Gorgeous music; gorgeous recording.
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Frog Records remastered the entire Bessie Smith catalogue. Back in the day I had the Columbia box set but was disenchanted with the sound quality. The Frog remasters are simply amazing by comparison. If you like art music, I’ve heard good things about Mediaeval Baebes. I’m going to discover them myself. |
On the Striking It Rich album by Dan Hicks And His Hot Licks (produced by Tommy LiPuma---nominated for 33 Grammys, 5 of which he won, engineered by Bruce Botnick---best known for the Doors albums---at Sunset Sound in L.A.), Maryann price sings the classic "I’m An Old Cowhand" with a remarkably relaxed (and delicious lasciviousness that would make your grandma blush ;-) feel (like she’s had a few, and maybe a reefer), backed by a deeply-swinging small Jazz combo (upright bass, Gibson L-5 archtop guitar, snare drum played with brushes, fiddle). As a welcome bonus, excellent recorded sound quality, demo material. |
For starters, I would suggest:
Either the original CD or the 2016 remastered version. |
@917nut YES on Dusty... was my mom's absolute favorite. Has no one mentioned Adele? - voice of the decade. Lauryn Hill, amazing! Amy Lee of Evanescence, C'mon. May not be the OPs cup of tea but geez. Barbara Streisand, Blossom Dearie, Anne Bisson! So many... |