Hi everyone,
I have just been discussing with a mate what we think is the best female vocalist recording that we have heard.
My vote was
[1] "Proud Mary" by Tina Turner from the 'What's Love Got To Do With It' soundtrack album
[2] "Across the Universe" (a Beatles cover) by Sharleen Spiteri of the Scottish band Texas from a BBC charity event in the 90s and used as a b-side on one of Texas' singles
[3] "Wuthering Heights" by Kate Bush from 'The Kick Within' album
[4] "Burn For You" (a John Farnham cover) by Delta Goodrem from the 'Live at the Chapel' series on TV and used as a b-side to one of her singles
[5] "Hello" by Adele from the '25' album
[6] "Show Me Heaven" by Tina Arena from her 'Don't Ask' album
[7] "Angel" by Annie Lennox of the Eurythmics from their 'We Too Are One" album (I think!) but the acoustic version found on the single is even better!
Your choices?
Cheers,
Bunumuring.

Greetings:
For some time (many years...) I've been rather enjoying Celine Dion, so my first songs would be a nod to her (both covers, of course). Alone - Heart (another pair of great female vocalists), and All By Myself - Eric Carmen.
Of course, Judy Collins and Pet Clark also come to mind!

Man, there are a lot of great female artists out there today but just like everyone I see on the cover of People magazine at the supermarket checkout, I have no idea who they are. I know one song I listen to from my wife's album at least once a week that gets my creeky knees wobbling is Florence and The Machine doing her version of "You've Got the Love". Probably my favorite at the moment.

From way back in the day I'd say Janis Joplin doing anything, she has to the be the rawest female vocalist in history in my opinion. Chrissie Hynde, another all time favorite. And of course the Bee Gees. I know they're guys but they're one of my secret closet bands and they sound like women.

In no particular order

Nancy Wilson : Alone https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Cw1ng75KP0

Marie Fredriksson : Listen to your Heart https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCC_b5WHLX0

Just about anything by Adele, but let's go with Set Fire to the Rain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ri7-vnrJD3k

Pink Try https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTCDVfMz15M

And only really for this song

Miley Cyrus Jolene https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOwblaKmyVw

Too many, but Kate Bush and Annie Lennox are definitely not among my favourites.

I even have made a playlist exclusively with songs sung by women. In there are such gems as kd lang (Hallelujah), Daliah Lavi, Diana Krall, Joan Baez, K T Tunstall, Lila Downs, Melissa Etheridge, Ofra Haza, Sheryl Crow.

As I said - too many to mention!

You made me sift through my huge music collection, a pleasure but it took me hours. I've got nothing against powerful voices, but making this list there is no doubt I favor softer, more feminine ones. Not featured here but I love dance music with women's lyrics and have fond memories of alcohol fuelled hours dancing to some.

Beth Gibbons (Portishead) - Dummy - Glory Box https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qQyUi4zfDs

Shirley Manson (Garbage) - Version 2.0 - I Think I'm Paranoid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypr18UmxOas Seen the band last year, was great.

Norah Jones - Come Away With Me - Come Away With Me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbjZPFBD6JU

Amy Whinehouse - Back To Black - Rehab https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUmZp8pR1uc

Björk - Bachelorette - Homogenic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5nNfbTS6N4

Héloïse Letissier (Christine and the Queens) - Saint Claude https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzFYmz2lfT4

Emmanuelle Monet (Dolly) - Dolly - Je n'veux pas rester sage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KALarC0tX8w

Enya - The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - May It Be https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbN-pjV4R7o

Emiliana Torrini - Fisherman's Woman - Honeymoon Child https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1ftaDLKrPc

Amy Lee (Evanescence) - Origin - My Immortal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2e_MJo_L0c

Imogen Heap (Frou Frou) - Details - Let Go https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13WAhlE02ew

Catherine Ringer (Les Rita Mitsouko) - Rita Mitsouko - Marcia Baïla https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6FVlfOgTo8

Skin (Skunk Anansie) - Stoosh - Hedonism (Just Because You Feel Good) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLs-JP5FGAg

Nili Hadida (Lilly Wood and The Prick) - Prayer in C (Robin Schulz Remix) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrlfFTS9kGU

And my current favorite one I listen to (the whole album) in a loop :

Hannah Reid (London Grammar) - If You Wait - Wasting My Young Years https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkeDBwsIaZw

Ella in Berlin -has been my favorite for over half a century.

Nancy Wilson : Alone
Actually it's her sister Ann singing the lead. Nancy does have a fine voice as well as anyone who's heard them do the cover of "Battle of Evermore" can attest.

A couple of my faves, by no means a complete list
"Shadows of the Night" - Pat Benatar
"Magic" - Olivia Newton John
"Paris" - Grace Potter
"Like the Way I Do" - Melissa Etheridge

No way to pick for me individually, too many, but for bulk number of songs, Celine Dion.

Janis Joplin is #1 for me, but someone today who can be similar is Grace Potter - but she has so many styles.

Stevie Nicks has to be up there!

Both of the Abba girls can sing. Some of my other personal favorites for pure vocal ability are Shania Twain, Andrea Corr and Lita Ford.

Taylor Swift, she has a great voice and a wide variety of songs which have dominated both country and pop music.

Enya would have to be the best vocalist, in my opinion. Some people will dislike the Celtic genre, but there's no denying that her voice is amazing. A few songs this is particularly evident in:

Caribbean Blue*
On Your Shore
Only Time
Tea House Moon
Shepherd Moons

As you'd expect for Enya, YouTube recordings never do her voice justice. I'm not a Hi Fi nerd by any means and I'm normally not one to enjoy loud music, but with Enya's music there's nothing better than putting on a CD, turning up the volume reasonably loud and basking in the quality of her voice (not to mention the music). It really is quite incredible, especially if you have a half decent stereo system. I really would love to go to an Enya concert, but of course Enya doesn't do that sort of thing.

Another suggestion for a great female vocalist would be Mireille Mathieu. She's not quite as good as Enya, but her voice really shines through in songs such as Bravo, Tu As Gagne and Akropolis Adieu. I also really like it when she sings La Marseillaise! Oh and Hayley Westenra - Pokarekare Ana.


*Coincidentally the best piece of music ever written.

WarRI1 wrote:

No way to pick for me individually, too many, but for bulk number of songs, Celine Dion.

I honestly don't know why so many people don't like her.

zkojq wrote:

Enya would have to be the best vocalist, in my opinion. Some people will dislike the Celtic genre, but there's no denying that her voice is amazing. A few songs this is particularly evident in:

Caribbean Blue*
On Your Shore
Only Time
Tea House Moon
Shepherd Moons

As you'd expect for Enya, YouTube recordings never do her voice justice. I'm not a Hi Fi nerd by any means and I'm normally not one to enjoy loud music, but with Enya's music there's nothing better than putting on a CD, turning up the volume reasonably loud and basking in the quality of her voice (not to mention the music). It really is quite incredible, especially if you have a half decent stereo system. I really would love to go to an Enya concert, but of course Enya doesn't do that sort of thing.

Another suggestion for a great female vocalist would be Mireille Mathieu. She's not quite as good as Enya, but her voice really shines through in songs such as Bravo, Tu As Gagne and Akropolis Adieu. I also really like it when she sings La Marseillaise! Oh and Hayley Westenra - Pokarekare Ana.


*Coincidentally the best piece of music ever written.

WarRI1 wrote:

No way to pick for me individually, too many, but for bulk number of songs, Celine Dion.

I honestly don't know why so many people don't like her.

My wife and one of my best friends do not like her voice, I cannot understand it myself.

Florence Welch - You've Got The Love, Cosmic Love
Katie Melua - Wonderful World
Hannah Reid (London Grammar) - Strong, Help Me Lose My Mind

If you're talking about vocals alone, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin, and Mary J. Blige blow any of these people out of the water. Current entertainment-wise (dance+swagger+music), I love Rihanna and J Lo.

1: Floor Jansen's version of "Ghost Love Score" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V_eoR6r1Tw
1.1: Tarja Turunen's original studio version of the same song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN3yqMr3ffY
2. Anna Murphy in "Brictom" and "Call of the Mountains": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RniwGaZl83c | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOy9-DPTO_w
3.Simone Simon in "Canvas of Life": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQjEJSyFwVI (youTube doesn't have the original power-ballad version but this one still really good)
And since the question is vocal performance and not "singing"...
4. Angela Gossow in "My Apocalypse": https://youtu.be/5A-EkV3pGJ8

Agnetha Fältskog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4QqMKe3rwY Powerful, hight and low but still crystal clear.
Imo it's hard to judge artists from the 21st century, too much digital correction effects.

Sissel Kyrkjebø a Norwegian soprano. Incredible beautiful voice and a very skilled singer.
A few videos with her:
O Holy night (Swedish version) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK-NZc4O6mA
Imagine (John Lennon Cover): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4GpiRl7TM4
You'll Never Walk Alone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2s8kagz43E
Going Home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJFhTb1gi6Y

Of course Enya also deserves a mention:
May it be: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8u4VLk0iTI
Aníron: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uq6LCXNeS4U

YVRLTN wrote:

Janis Joplin is #1 for me, but someone today who can be similar is Grace Potter - but she has so many styles.

Stevie Nicks has to be up there!

Both of the Abba girls can sing. Some of my other personal favorites for pure vocal ability are Shania Twain, Andrea Corr and Lita Ford.

What do you think of this cover of Me and Bobby McGee by Norwegian female artist Linda Kvam:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWRDaU6jScQ

Hey guys,
I'm fascinated with the responses to my initial post - thanks! I have checked out most suggestions and agree that Celine Dion and Enya probably don't get the credit they deserve for their vocal performances.
I want to add two Annie Lennox songs to my list, both of which may be unknown to most people but one of which won a Grammy I recall....
"Love Song For A Vampire" from the movie 'Interview with a Vampire', released as the b-side of the single 'Little Bird'
"Into the West" from one of the Lord of the Rings movies, and it won a Grammy for best original song (or whatever)
The latter in particular is an amazingly powerful vocal performance and I love the lyrics and overall 'feel' of the song.
Cheers,
Bunumuring

Patsy Cline!

For the purposes of this thread, I will add two more (and my choices) to the list:

Delta Goodrem, Wings, an aviation-related one.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1A2Ow7sGo0

Sarah Brightman, In the Bleak Midwinter, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpbydghW-aw

I love female vocalists who can really belt it out, like mentioned above Janis Joplin, the Wilson sisters, and one of my favs, Linda Ronstadt:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haZPPBJ ... w5&index=3

When I feel in mood for something a bit softer, I think of Natalie Merchant:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qkgQZt1Mmg

Actually she can belt it out too!

Taylor Swift and Celine Dion can take a long walk off a short pier, as the saying goes.

My favorites are:

"At Last" by Etta James
"Key Largo" by Sarah Vaughn
"Old Cape Cod" by Patty Page
"Snow On The Sahara" by Anggun
"I've Got A Crush On You" by Linda Ronstadt
"Stairway To Heaven" by Dolly Parton
"After The Gold Rush" by Parton/Ronstadt/Harris

My personal favourite female vocalist would be Dame Shirley Bassey. Her rendition of The Impossible Dream, The Living Tree, Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever and This Is My Life stand out as five of my favourites.

Honourable mentions go to Big Spender and I Who Have Nothing.

But I can only watch you with
My nose pressed up against the window paaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnneeeeeeeeeeee

Revelation wrote:

I love female vocalists who can really belt it out

Likewise. Male artists, too. Sir Tom Jones has an amazing voice.

CXB77L wrote:

My personal favourite female vocalist would be Dame Shirley Bassey...

Don't forget "Yesterday when I was young".

ER757 wrote:

Nancy Wilson : Alone
Actually it's her sister Ann singing the lead. Nancy does have a fine voice as well as anyone who's heard them do the cover of "Battle of Evermore" can attest.

Wow, total brain fart on my part, thank you for correcting that and yes, Ann Wilson.

jetwet1 wrote:

Miley Cyrus Jolene https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOwblaKmyVw

Yeah, that is good. I also think Dolly Parton singing this is great too though, as are most of Dolly Parton's songs (and duets with Kenny Rogers, but I digress).

Susan Boyle would have to get a mention here on this thread too IMHO.

Australian female vocalists, Marina Prior, Tina Arena deserve an accolade.

VapourTrails wrote:

jetwet1 wrote:

Miley Cyrus Jolene https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOwblaKmyVw

Yeah, that is good. I also think Dolly Parton singing this is great too though, as are most of Dolly Parton's songs (and duets with Kenny Rogers, but I digress).

Susan Boyle would have to get a mention here on this thread too IMHO.

Australian female vocalists, Marina Prior, Tina Arena deserve an accolade.

I am with you on Dolly Parton and Jolene, she was the best on many records back in the day.

Tami Terrell had an amazing voice. She made Ain't no Mountain High even better. In fact, I think she and Marin Gaye were the best Motown duo ever.

Present day, I'd give it to Lorde.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfJRX-8SXOs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ckv6-yhnIY
I like Nina Simone

[quote="seb146"]Taylor Swift and Celine Dion can take a long walk off a short pier, as the saying goes.