Hope Sandoval ( mazzy star)
pj Harvey ( just because)
Ani Difranco
Fiona Apple.
Sexy singer(s) and/or song(s)
Some may consider such a subject beneath them (or contempt). I respect that attitude, but ask that in that instance you just stay out of the conversation. You are of course free to ignore that request. There is a place for sacred music, but also profane. ;-)
While still in elementary school, one of the first albums I heard was Naughty But Nice by Pearl Bailey. It was my mother’s, who also had albums by Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley. She was not your average suburban mother: she liked to go up to San Francisco to take in the burlesque and female impersonator shows in North Beach. She also sunbathed by our backyard pool, nude. She was of the WWII generation (born in 1923), but I think if she had been born ten years later would have been a beatnik, or at least bohemian. I considered her a delightful role model; my father (whose musical taste ran to Andy Williams and Perry Como) disagreed. ;-)
With that prologue, the first overtly sexual singer and song that caught my attention was Maria Muldaur and her hit "Midnight At The Oasis". I was quite envious when a San Jose acquaintance of mine got a job in her band. Slightly later was Maryann Price (Dan Hicks And His Hot Licks) with her seductive performance on the classic Johnny Mercer song "I’m An Old Cowhand (From The Rio Grande)". I don’t know what’s sexy about, I just know it is. More recently there was Joan Osborne’s smokin’ version of Slim Harpo’s "Shake Your Hips"; ironically, Jagger’s tame performance of the song makes him sound like the p*ssy.
But all of the above pale in comparison to Lucinda Williams’ utterly salacious song and likewise singing of: "Essence" (with double entendre lyrics). My God, what woman. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but she has great wide hips, and a very lanky frame, both of which I’m a sucker for.
Anybody else? ;-)
The sexiest song I’ve heard from a female singer is “Feelin Love” by Paula Cole: https://youtu.be/rFTmmsb0_fE. Dig the beat and the moans! I cant believe nobody listed Shania Twain, especially the videos from her second and third albums. Very close to perfect looking. I like Kasey Chambers’ music, especially “Guilty As Sin”, and her looks, especially earlier in her career (looking a bit weathered now tho she is only in her 30’s). Some people find her little girl voice off-putting, but I think it is unique. I like Natalie Merchant’s voice, and Joni Mitchell (a local girl and her band, Green Light Sunday, did a nice version of her “Chelsea Morning”) Note how often, with the exception of Shania and a few others, that sexy sounding female singers rarely match that sexiness in their appearance. So, videos of them performing often interfere with the illusion. |
Oh, how could I forget . . Italian songbird Laura Pausini, “If That’s Love”: https://youtu.be/kkdC4YXHL9A |
@slaw, yeah, Dusty's "The Look Of Love" is subtly smoldering (I once told a songwriter friend of mine the song felt like a deep, slow kiss to me). Her whole delivery and vocal style is, I love her. @bob540, right you are about Shania. She took a lot of heat for not really being Country (Steve Earle dismissed her as "The highest paid lap dancer in Nashville" ;-), but I liked her as a Pop singer (proving I'm not the purist I can sometimes appear to be). |
Melody Gardot exudes raw sexuality like nobody I’ve ever seen. Just watch an interview with her sometime. The message in between the lines is right out in the open. And of course her Live In Paris album cover is a alway a pleasure to lay eyes on. Full non-frontal view from backstage. Beat that one somebody!! Whoops gotta go now! |
+1, Shelby Lynne, Sade & Smith Check out: IVY (Dominique Durand): She's French, need I say more? Best studio albums start with "Realistic" (94) and end with "In The Clear" (05). The best song to start might be their cover of "Be My Baby" from their covers album "Guestroom." The band's guitarist (Adam Schlesinger) went on to form Fountains of Wayne and he also did the music for the film "That Thing You Do." Unfortunately, he was a recent victim of Covid - 19. |
@Slaw already beat me to it but Nataly Merchant's voice and demeanor has always done it for me. Her solo recordings after 10k Maniacs are just beyond beautiful. I can just relax in a state of inner peace when I listen to her sing River and Beloved Wife off the Tigerlily album. Heaven to my ears. We had her on the CD player during the birth of our first child. I only wish I could find it on vinyl. |
Eric - way to sneak in the lyric... “sacred and profane “... Natalie as mentioned- Leave your sleep , Carpenter, and Motherhood... and I have seen her live w bits of Seattle symphony... lovely.. and she is smart, so smart speaking of smart, well read: Linda Ronstadt Lucinda: the cover kicks it all OFF - World Without Tears |
One man’s romantic is another man’s erotic....and vice versa. https://youtu.be/RRKP-qeJvVU Then there’s ....... https://youtu.be/-kmm5VXtLi0 https://youtu.be/fALdOkf_eCM |
@slaw already said it but Natalie Merchant's voice is just so enchanting. Especially her work after 10,000 Maniacs. Agree with comments on Lucinda Williams. While Lucinda's voice maybe sultry, Natalie's voice is just captivating. I can sit back and listen to Natalie sing River and Beloved Wife on Tigerlily and just be taken away to a place of inner peace. Now if I could only find Natalie Merchant on vinyl at a reasonable price! |
Nice topic Holly Cole, Hope Sandoval... Debbie Harry, Norah Jones Aimee Mann, Melody Gardot Gillian Welch, Billie Holiday Anya Marina - “Whatever you like” Cecile Mcloren Salvant - Amazing voice Celeste - “Both sides of the moon “ Live Elis Regina. Emily Wells - “Mt. Washington” Florist - “Unholy Faces” Jolie Holland “Old fashion morphine” Madeleine Peyroux - “ Hey sweet man”Melanie De Biasio “ Your freedom is the end of me” Rosey “It’s a ruse”. Thievery Corporation - “Le Cour” featuring Lou Lou GelichikaniValerie June, A variety of female voices that I’m fond of, I had to stop - there are so many. |
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