ok what's your thoughts regarding the sexiest sounding female vocalist out there? Just discovered Diana Krall guess the picture on the cover of the look of love may have contributed to my feelings somewhat also.
Mt10425, yeah, you probably saw her in the late 1970's. Absolutely adorable and young (born summer of 1962)! But WHAT A VOICE! One of the best finds of the Stiff Records lineup during the late '70's & early '80's! Stiff specialized in signing unknown artists of the "New Wave & 2nd British invasion". Rachel could belt out a tune, whether punk or C&W. ["Cuckoo Clock" and "Wildwood Saloon" are great example of each]. Rachel was unlike today's female teen mega-stars.Now, we have hot nubile bodies that might have great anatomy, except for their "tubes". They're only a hot piece of eye-candy, singing insipid drivel devoid of any emotional understanding and interpretation of the musical notes they are regurgitating!
Gwen Stefan? Something like this. She is the lead singer for NO DOUBT. Maybe Tori Amos too. Donna Summers too. And maybe Linda Ronstradt. No. Scratch all of it! Jeff Buckly! He has a sexy voice!
Although never liked Donna Summers but apparently while doing the full version of "I Love to love you baby" she even reached climax :-)Wonder it was marketing ploy or the truth.
1962 recording of Shirley Horn singing the now politically incorrect "Do It Again.' Off the Loads of Love LP. I don't ordinarily find Horn all that sexy, but damn. Otherwise, Helen Merrill in general and Diana Krall's "Peel Me a Grape" (though I still prefer Blossom Dearie's version).
Nobody's mentioned Mavis Staples of the Staple Singers. True, she's supposed to be a gospel singer, but anyone who listens to her moaning about heavan and her ability to take you 'there', will understand immediately how easy it was for Ray Charles to turn gospel into the 'devil's music.' Gospel can be sexy! Sweet Honey in the Rock is another sexy female band.
also, I'm surprised that no one's mentioned Marilyn Monroe, the woman so extrordinary that unlike anyone mention on this board so far as uniquely carved a place for herself in the male psyche as THE sex symbol of the 20th century. Listen to her singing, "I want to be loved by you", "kiss" and "Do it again." Also Gillian Welch singing 'Miss Ohio' and Eartha Kitt singing, 'I want to be Evil."
One of my all time favorite hobbies is tracking down and collecting sexy female vocalists. I've really been introduced again to all these great stars, and meeting new ones. I've actually been able to hear most of them through P2P files, and I really have to say the all time sexiest female vocalist is...minnie ripperton
Roberta Flack on Reverend Lee from Chapter one is aural sex at its finest. Otherwise, pretty much anything jennifer charles (elysian fields) sings on (especially Nathaniel Merriweather presents songs to make love to your old lady by).
For me, no one can grab me like Sassy (Sarah Vaughn). Her vocality is elegant, but not overefined. Her enunciation is clear, but 100 percent melodic. Her tonality is clean with no excessive vibrato or other vocal techniques. Sarah is pure song to me!
Just for that, I'm going home after Church and playing The Lonely Hours! :-)
I do want to mention that there are other outstanding vocalists. In my "Remarkable, but not Sassy" category are:
--Sade --Dianne Reeeves (listen to the SACD of her tribute to Sassy, The Calling) --Anita Baker --The Baby (Nancy Wilson) --Mahilia Jackson ("Mama" will always get respect) --Billie Holiday
I know there are a multidue of good singers, but these 7 hit me everytime; no questions asked, no other thoughts needed.
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