Gotta agree Norah on Blue Note (not the HDCD) is harsh on the highs. Enough to give me a headache after 5-6 songs.
Women who don't sing love songs?!?!?! C'mon man, there's plenty. Just as fast as I can type, off the top of my head, and among my favorites:
Patty Griffin
Tori Amos
Laurie Anderson
Lucinda Williams
Rory Block
Gillian Welch
Mary Gauthier
Lori Carson
Margo Timmons (Cowboy Junkies)
Karen Paris (Innocence Mission)
Joanna Newsome
Karin Bergquist (Over the Rhine)
Patricia Barber
(Leslie) Feist
I can go on if I go into my CD drawer, but that's as far as my wee memory can spew forth at the moment. Jeez, when I think about I actually can't think of many female vocalists that I enjoy who DO sing love songs!!
Arkprof - Good call on Mary Margaret. I also have the soundtrack to "Apartment Hunting", but not as good as Miss America. Is she still around and recording? Her CD's are all out of print and pricey. Good stuff though!
Marco |
The CD "Miss America" by Mary Margaret O'Hara ... borderline atonality, but truly iconic ... one I've kept for the past 20 years.
I just noticed today that the drummer on Sting's 1991 "The Soul Cages" ... was Manu Katché ... whose 2007 "Playground" CD is extremely good |
Well, I sorta started this free-for-all and must chime in here, not so much on the Snore-ah issue (I've said what I wanted to say) but on the OTHER question: "Do women singers sing anything but love songs?".
Hell-O? Can you say the one-of-a-kind Nina Simone?
And NOT ONE mention yet of the too-good-to-mention-in-the-same-thread-as-Snore-ah-but-forgive-me-I-just did: Lucinda Williams? Who also happens to be a great songwriter, who can put so much emotion into a song, whether it's love, eroticism, anguish, anger, or (sometimes) lightheartedness it puts you inside her head and inside her heart? I really don't care whether anyone agrees with what I think but if no one has mentioned Lucinda yet I really think you need to at least give her a listen.
Others I like, some of whom are criminally underrated: Linda R., EmmyLou, Nanci G (sometimes), Jennifer W., Alison K., Anita O'Day, K.D. Lang, Paula Cole, Margot Timmins...
Diana K. can sometimes be fun to listen to, not in small part due to great production quality, which actually makes for good audition tracks, as does Jacintha. |
Jswarnke, Couldn't agree with you more about Butler. Excellent! I didn't read all of the posts carefully but I didn't notice any mention of Mary Stallings, Rene Marie, or for that matter Shirley Horn - of course these are jazz singers not pop/rock or audiophile types. Speaking of pop no one mentioned Cassidy - but I guess she dead isn't she. Non the less she sang everything - soul, pop, jazz. What a talent! Guess Horn's dead too. But at least she got a lot down before she died. Oh, another great jazz singer not mentioned much Etta Jones, wife of Houston Person. Big voice - lots of character - not just another knock off.
I woun't mention who I don't listen to after hearing their albums once! :-) |
I think Nora is about 5'2". |
don't forget siouxsie from the banshees. How could anyone forget Christine the strawberry girl... How about Alanis Morrisette... |
I can't believe no one has mentioned laverne Butler. A great voice and very soulful but restrained.her album "foolish thing"is heavy rotation for me. |
don't forget siouxsie from the banshees. |
04-03-08: Onemug said:
"Now a Gulfstream/Citation argument, that's something I'd get in the middle of."
Dude, how can you even begin to compare those two??? ;-)
Dave
|
here's a few essential singers(all catagories) that are always overlooked....julie driscoll, cathie chamberlain, evie sands, pauline murray, tanita tikaram, linda rondstandt, grace slick(when she was good, she was very good), cass elliott, sandie shaw(maybe the greatest pop singer ever), dusty springfield, kiki dee, leslie gore, gayle mccormick, chaka.....if you limit yourself to 'audiophile' recordings, you miss the lions share of the 'real deal'. |
Hello,
04-03-08: Joeylawn36111
Question: Do women singers ever sing anything but love songs???? (yes, it's a serious question). I cannot see the appeal of listening to women singing love songs OTHER than fidelity/soundstage/recording quality/etc.
Patti Smith the godmother of punk, Eve libertine of Crass says Everthing we sing is a love song!, Dagmar Krause AKA:The Voice of Armagedden.
Bob |
You looking for a female vocalist that's worthy of audiophiles? Nnenna Freelon is not well known nor does she have the big marketing machine behind her. She's very much under-appreciated. Her huge talent and ability is without question as a female vocalist (in jazz as well as generally). It still amazes and confounds me that she gets so little acknowledgement here. Maybe it's because she doesn't have a big label and marketing machine behind her. For me, she ranks right up there with the best of the modern female vocalists. I've seen her live and have her recordings. She's the anti-one note. |
|
Do women singers ever sing anything but love songs? Pat Benatar Shirley Manson The Go Go's The Bangles Suzanne Vega Dixie Chicks Karen O Nina Hagen Grace Jones ...yeah sure they do more than just sing ballads...plenty of great girls out there - not all of them are stereotypical crooners! |
Question: Do women singers ever sing anything but love songs???? (yes, it's a serious question). I cannot see the appeal of listening to women singing love songs OTHER than fidelity/soundstage/recording quality/etc. |
Interesting thread.
Obviously tastes differ.
But for me there is no deniying, from a musical point of view, that Norah Jones isn't anything special as a musician, singer, song writer or anything else. There is very little complexity, texture, emotions and overall musicality in her music and the way she performs.
I have 2 of her CDs. I listened to each once.
If she wasn't who she is and couldn't afford the musicians she plays with, she would most likely not make it. There are thousands of Norahs out there. Just as good.
But if you like her, enjoy!
Some of my personal favorites are:
Cassandra Wilson, Patricia Barber, Linda Rondstat, Ella Fizgerald, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Julie London, Cesaria Evora, just to name a few.
And I won't be ashamed to add pre-Verve, early recordings of Diana Krall, when she recorded on Impulse. I still enjoy these once in a while. But her latest stuff I just can't stand.
Also, on the light, more traditional side with an added bonus of audiophile quality recording, Jacintha is pretty good. Well produced, has good voice, but can unfortunately be a bit slow and boring at times, but hey, nobody's perfect. |
Well Like Norah or not, and I do. These are not petty squables, they generate thought, make you listen. OPinions for and against were welcomed from the start. THe pro's and cons. As buck states, he hates Celine likes Norah, it's a matter of taste. Some like fat chicks, others skinny. I like a little slam in my music. Weighty vocals free from reverb and now tinny sounding microphones that robbed this recording IMO. For those who like to rock one of my favorite recordings off all times is Mad Season, and this recording is chalked full of flaws. But the rawnes makes me feel as if I'm there in the garage with them. In Norahs come away with me it hurt. Can you polish a turd, sure you can. THanks for all whom responed. It's been a great thread, full of passionate philes!!! luv it |
$1 2.80,
Kind of reminds me of 2 teenagers arguing about which is better, Ford or Chevy, and noticing 2 little boys arguing about whose bike is better and thinking to themselves how stupid that is, then get back to their car discussion.
Now a Gulfstream/Citation argument, that's something I'd get in the middle of. |
I hate Celine, her voice makes me cringe. Me too - all I meant was that she can sing better than Diana Krall. But you do have a good point that it is all irrelevant. Whatever turns your crank - Celine raises the roof when she belts it out whilst Fergie can raise London Bridge.... ;D |
I get a kick out of these petty squabbles. Everyone always thinks that they are right in their thoughts, everyone else is wrong, or lacks the knowledge to know any better. Some are worse than others. I hate Celine, her voice makes me cringe. I like Norah, and I know there are others out there that are better, but I don't go saying that one is better than the other, or that there are many out there that are better, etc. They are just opinions of how I hear them, not facts. |
04-03-08: Shadorne said:
"Sorry Dave - good point - there is nothing foolish in listening to the vocalists that you enjoy..."
Thanks friend, no skin lost...;-)
Dave |
04-03-08: Audiofeil said:
"Perhaps it's wise to clean your own house before looking for additional work."
I don't work out of my house...maybe you mixed a metaphor?
Dave |
implying that you're somehow superior to me because you don't like Diana and I'm "foolish" enough do so. Sorry Dave - good point - there is nothing foolish in listening to the vocalists that you enjoy...perhaps "beguiled" is a better term to describe the way good looking stars (like Robbie Williams for the ladies) have a sort of "magic" grip on their audiences - the persona and music seem to meld in our brains and form an intoxicating hook or image in our minds eye. I still remember when Madonna's "Like a Virgin" and "Material Girl" videos came out - she hooked male listeners everywhere instantly...it was the whole beguiling package I guess. |
>>My problem is that you just have such a condescending tone<<
Perhaps it's wise to clean your own house before looking for additional work. |
Well, I like everyone on your list within their respective genres well enough, except one.
My problem is that you just have such a condescending tone -- "Those who are fooled by this..." -- implying that you're somehow superior to me because you don't like Diana and I'm "foolish" enough do so.
I can't stand Celine's singing (my wife loves her), but that doesn't mean any disrespect to you. I don't need to belittle her just because I don't like her singing. Who made you the grand poobah of female singer worthyness?
Dave |
I agree with these Ella, Sarah, Stacey or Karrin - just not considering Diana in the same league
Cleo Lane
Fergie
Nina Simone
Celine Dion
Heather Small
Rihanna
...seriously there are so very many better female vocalists than Diana Krall that I simply would not even know where to stop. Early on in her career, Diana was told that there are just too many good piano players out there (and she is indeed a good one) but there are very few who sing and throw their hair back...you get the idea. Those who are fooled by this might be also be fooled by glowing amps with tube implants....absolutely just kidding...please don't start another SS vs tubes bashing thread ;-) |
04-03-08: Audiofeil said
">>name a few female singers that are worthy of our "serious audiophile" ears<<
Linda Ronstadt for starters.
She embarrasses everybody on your list."
Good lord man, you gotta be kidding!!! I've got about six of Linda's albums, including the Standards discs and the Stone Ponies stuff (most in vinyl), and I love her, BUT no way is she in the same league as Ella, Sarah, Stacey or Karrin, much less embarassing to them. Have you ever listened to any of the singers on my list beside Nora?
Dave |
>>name a few female singers that are worthy of our "serious audiophile" ears<<
Linda Ronstadt for starters.
She embarrasses everybody on your list. |
04-03-08: Shadorne said:
"Absolutely agree - you can add Diana Krall too - to me this is mostly about good looking women "crooners" with good backing and production and slinky video shots and album covers - a complete package. This is the same in many music genre's but serious audiophiles should be able to distinguish what is physical driven atttraction of a "performer" versus real talented musicianship."
Well then friend, name a few female singers that are worthy of our "serious audiophile" ears. (Not that I need your help, but you seem like such an authority that I want to see what you come up with that I might not already have).
Dave |
Shadorne, are you saying that good looks has something to do with being popular? I'm shocked! Truly! I don't understand the level of vitriol directed at Ms. Jones. So she's a limited vocalist - so was Billie Holiday. She's pretty - is that really a problem? Her music is soft - so is Paul McCartney's. Here dad is Ravi Shankar - well, yours isn't. As Scroobious Pip so eloquently stated: Thou shalt not stop likin' a band just 'cause theyÂ’ve 'come popular. Playa' hating is so unbecoming. |
Like Sheryl Crow, Madonna, Jewel, et. al. Norah Jones is a product of great marketing.
Her albums benefit from very good production, superb studio musicians, and great promotion.
She is an average vocalist with extremely limited range.
Absolutely agree - you can add Diana Krall too - to me this is mostly about good looking women "crooners" with good backing and production and slinky video shots and album covers - a complete package. This is the same in many music genre's but serious audiophiles should be able to distinguish what is physical driven atttraction of a "performer" versus real talented musicianship. In the male genre "Michael Buble" is the current equivalent - good looking crooner - too bad he can't sing! |
I didn't realize that it was fashionable to bash Nora. I love her stuff. She's a real-deal musician that can play piano very, very well, write and sing. Comparing her to Madonna is sick. Maybe I like her so much because I spent a few decades in Texas and love the Texan in her voice and her subtle interpretations.
I bought every piece of vinyl I could with her on it and all have good mic selections and great sound. I think there must be a problem with the CD production, because the vinyl sounds excellent.
I love women singers and have Karrin Alyson, Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Krall, Jane Monheit, Stacey Kent, Rose Marie, Blossom Dearie, Diane Hubka, Jennifer Warnes, Erin Bode, Melody Gardot and that's just what's on my iPhone, so don't assume that I've never heard good singers. It's fine and good not to like a particular vocalist, but this thread seems to bash a great artist.
Dave |
Like Sheryl Crow, Madonna, Jewel, et. al. Norah Jones is a product of great marketing.
Her albums benefit from very good production, superb studio musicians, and great promotion.
She is an average vocalist with extremely limited range. |
correction Laryi, sorry : > |
I think Larri is dead accurate. I just did another listen. The music isn't bad. It isn't great lacks punch, but they might have been going for smooth. I like punch! never the less I can't stop but to notice microphone every time I play back. This time I used Rait's cd souls alike track 1 (I will not be broken) Bonnies voice renders clear in the room detached from my speakers. Warm,real,scary stuff sends goose bumps down my spine. Norah, it all shrinks,and goes thin and yes tin (metallic sounding) sounds like my pastors micing at church minus the feed back, I'm kidding of course. For those of you whom own stereophiles first test CD GH track 5 why hi-fi experts dissagree, Gordon reads through a gammint of mics as he reads and you hear the way his voice changes. This is what I am reminded of every time I playback Norahs CD. It always kills me when recordings kill great art! Am I right fellas? |
04-02-08: Abucktwoeighty said:
"If you like Norah's voice, try a listen to Melody Gardot. Sounds very similar. I'm waiting for her "Worrisome Heart" cd to arrive."
X2. I just received Melody's CD on Saturday. She's a great musician and singer/songwriter.
Dave |
If you like Norah's voice, try a listen to Melody Gardot. Sounds very similar. I'm waiting for her "Worrisome Heart" cd to arrive. |
Heads up. She's on Letterman tonight. |
Ken, no that was a long time ago, different friend. |
I am not a fan of the singer, but, that aside, I did expect the CD to be well recorded, given that everyone was using it at CES a few years ago.
I found it to be quite poor as far as the miking of the vocals. The rest of it sounded decently recorded. I have no interest in the LP (because I don't like the singer), but I would be surprised if the LP is good because what I heard on the CD sounded like a problem in the recording itself. Could it be that a different mix/master was used for the LP or do people really not hear/care about singers over-blowing into a microphone? |
Yeah...I have both the cd and Classic Vinyl...better on vinyl, but that still doesnt "cure" the glare in the mics...she's right up on that mic...This album would make for a great instrumental only ;-)
Im listening now..but that will likely be it for another year or two...I may run a 0.99c auction on all her cd's..except Peter Malick..NY City..thats at least decent sounding..
"snore-ah-bones"..cute Kck..did i give that cd to you?? |
So you're lucky and you get to ignore the emotionless womana. |
Hello, Yes her dad is Ravi Shankar. |
The Classic Records vinyl release of "Come Away With Me" is outstanding!
Jan |
Am I right to say that her Father is or was Ravi Shankar? If I am right, and please correct me if wrong. Now you know why she is so boring..? |
Whatever guys, you probably like alot of music I don't. Last year at Jazzfest in New Orleans, Norah sounded great. You may not care for her, but to say she has no talent is absurd. |
Kck
I agree with this poster all the way. I would say with all the female singers of well recorded pop such as Ella,Sara,Horne,Washington,Smith and whiting...why would many of you put up with this supposed talent. |
04rdking, at home we call her "Snore-ah Bones". The 'singing' is so bad it is almost painful at times. Someone needs to put her out of her misery.
This is all the more painful as I have seen her illustrious father, the incredible Ravi Shankar, perform live a few times in small venues. And her stepsister, Anoushka Shankar, is quite good at what she does but she doesn't share a fraction of the fame.
Actually, I don't blame Snore-ah per se... if I could convince someone I had some talent although that was the farthest thing from the truth, I'd be happy to take the poor saps' money. Move over PT Barnum, there's a new game in town and her name is Snore-ah. |
gotta agree with maxpain. got her cd for xmas last year. i like her music,
but doesn't sound good coming out the rig's
shpeak-shpeaks. ok for radio, though! |
"...........given the one-note inability of this 'singer'....."
That's funny...... I've been calling her "One Note Norah" since she came on the scene...... |
