I need a new favorite female vocalist.

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: Helen
Date: 19 Aug 11 - 08:30 PM

Billie Holiday, especially her early recordings. I have a 10 CD set and the more I listen, the more beauty and complexity I hear in her singing, her arrangements and the songs themselves.

I've just discovered Adele, and bought her latest album called 21 and her first album called 19. She is a pop singer who writes and sings her own songs, but also did a very good cover version of The Cure's Lovesong. She's not the best singer I have ever heard, but her song called "Set Fire to the Rain" is complex, interesting arrangement, and her singing on that is up there with the best, I think. I like the songs Rolling in the Deep, and Someone Like You, but not as much as the Rain song.

I will also add an Australian singer, Kavisha Mazella, and African singers Angelique Kidjo and Miriam Makeeba, and the Scottish harp duo Sileas (Patsy Seddon and Mary McMaster) who also collaborated on the Poozies album, Infinite Blue. Sileas are full of passion and fun, and are brilliant harpers and singers, IMHO.

Casey Donovan - Wikipedia was the winner of the second Australian Idol series. She is an Indigenous singer, whose voice used to send chills up my spine when I watched the programme. She was only 16 at the time, and I don't know whether she has made any more CD's but I'm sure she will still be singing and decide to re-launch her career when the time is right.

I just read the last bit of that article and she will be playing the role of Mama Cass in a new musical "flowerchildren - the The Mamas & the Papas story" written by Peter Fitzpatrick.

And if you are looking for some light relief combined with excellent female singing and musical arrangements, search YouTube for the Kransky Sisters. :-D

I'm sure I'll come back with more recommendations, after I've had a further ponder on this request.

Helen

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: Paul G.
Date: 19 Aug 11 - 08:36 PM

Amanda Shires

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Aug 11 - 08:48 PM

I agree with the Emily Smith recommendation.

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: maeve
Date: 19 Aug 11 - 09:02 PM

I also love Ray Fisher, Cilla Fisher, Lizzie Higgins, Jane Turriff, Margaret MacArthur, Mary Ann Kennedy, Priscilla Herdman, Anne Dodson...

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: Commander Crabbe
Date: 19 Aug 11 - 09:21 PM

Emily Smith on the transatlantic sessions

Emily Smith

CC

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: Bobert
Date: 19 Aug 11 - 09:25 PM

Anyone mention Patty Griffin???

B~

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: Effsee
Date: 19 Aug 11 - 10:34 PM

Mariza!

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: michaelr
Date: 20 Aug 11 - 12:58 AM

So, Azoic -- does JT know you're dumping her? And just what was it she did wrong?

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: Joe Offer
Date: 20 Aug 11 - 01:46 AM

I'd agree with Gallus Moll about Gordeanna McCullough. I fell in love with Gordeanna's singing when I heard her at Whitby Folk Week several years ago.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: GUEST,Bizibod
Date: 20 Aug 11 - 03:08 AM

Kristina Olsen

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: Kit Griffiths
Date: 20 Aug 11 - 03:34 AM

Maria Cunningham. She used to sing round here (Sevenoaks), but moved to Eastbourne several years ago.Only one solo CD, as far as I know, though she was also on "Apples, Cherries, Hops and Women -Folk songs from Kent Volume 2", with Pete Castle et al. Superb voice, and great songwriting, too. (By the way, I lost her address after she had written to tell me that she had moved again, and I've been unable to trace her via the internet -if anyone knows her whereabouts(Vic Smith, possibly?), please give her my love and/or let me have contact details. I had been going to start a "Does anyone know what happened to...." type thread, but as she is one of the finest singers I have known, this post kills two birds with one stone!)

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 20 Aug 11 - 04:09 AM

Can it really be true that nobody has mentioned Maddy Prior, or have I just missed it?

~Michael~

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: SussexCarole
Date: 20 Aug 11 - 04:09 AM

Re: Maria Cunningham - I have contact details. PM sent

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: GUEST,Azoic
Date: 20 Aug 11 - 04:22 AM

Fado songstress Cristina Branco from Portugal.Yes M-JT STILL is the greatest.It's just that I need an occasional diversion from her unrelenting gravitas.I also like Astrud Gilberto,Rosa Passos,Susanna Baca.Valerie Carter,Natalie Merchant.

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: TopcatBanjo
Date: 20 Aug 11 - 10:56 AM

oops - the Guest above singing the praises of Aoife O'Donovan with the three links was me, sorry.

Thanks also to Bernard for the vote above for Jay Bradberry (note correct spelling) of Jaywalkers. This is a great young English band featuring top class instrumental prowess from Jay on fiddle, Michael Giverin on mandolin and Lucy Williams on bass (and they all seem to play other instruments as well). Michael writes some excellent songs too.

I love Jay's voice so much. I remember that the first time I heard her sing was in the bar at Sore Fingers bluegrass camp, the first year I went. She was just 15 at the time! Her rich, mature voice blew me away. Here's a little clip I took of them performing one of Michael's original songs:

Jaywalkers at the Orwell Bluegrass Festival

Cheers
Maria

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: gnu
Date: 20 Aug 11 - 05:49 PM

Ohhhh... this thread just keeps gettin better. The links and the names... like Bobert's Patty Griffin reference.... holy crap!

I have said it many times on other music threads and such... it just amazes me how much music there is and how little time we all have to hear even a small portion of it. It's just awesome... humans are just awesome.

No, I haven't smoked dope in years. Why do you ask?

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: Helen
Date: 20 Aug 11 - 06:16 PM

I did a search on YouTube for Casey Donovan. Move forward to about 40 seconds of the clip, to avoid the yakkety-yak of the announcers.

Casey Donovan - Hello (a song by Evanescence)

Ethereal, crystal pure voice.

Also, I would add Patti Smith to the list. I especially like her album called Gone Again.

Helen

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Aug 11 - 04:08 AM

Ken Hall of singers still with us Rita Gallagher wonderful Irish traditional singer and suprised nobody has mentioned Brit jazzer Claire Martin

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: GUEST,John Sidmouth
Date: 21 Aug 11 - 06:14 AM

Karine Polwart -Hole in the Heart

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Aug 11 - 06:22 AM

Sheila Stewart
If death is not a barrier, her mother Belle.

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: beeliner
Date: 21 Aug 11 - 12:37 PM

Amazing that, unless I missed it, no one has mentioned Joan Armatrading. She would be at the top of my list.

Kathryn Calder of the New Pornographers is also noteworthy, though I haven't much from her as a soloist.

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: Banjiman
Date: 21 Aug 11 - 01:06 PM

I'm with Aoife O'Donovan, being gorgeous helps!

I'm also with this, Annachie Gordon . Same comment applies!!

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: paul vaughan
Date: 21 Aug 11 - 02:11 PM

My favourite from the last few years is Mary Gauthier. A wonderfuly expressive voice coupled with some of the finest songwriting I've ever haerd.

Try this for starters;

I Drink

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: pdq
Date: 21 Aug 11 - 02:28 PM

Suzy Bogguss is one of the greatest Pop singers I have ever heard, although she is usually called Country.

Her records "Simpatico" (with Chet Atkins), "Aces" (prety much Country), and "Swing" (a retro album, but about half the material is brand new), and her Christmas album "Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas" all all great.

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 21 Aug 11 - 02:36 PM

So many, but of those singing today I'd like to mention Peta Webb, and Frankie Armstrong. And I'll give another vote to Gordeanna McCullough

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: GUEST,Geordie-Peorgie (sans Cookie - again!)
Date: 21 Aug 11 - 06:14 PM

Anna Shannon - A W E S O M E

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: Arkie
Date: 21 Aug 11 - 11:35 PM

Marie Mazziotti is certainly not a name from the mainstream of any form of music as far as I know but worthy of some attention

Marie Mazziotti - Valentine

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: GUEST,Azoic
Date: 22 Aug 11 - 05:01 AM

Jonatha Brooke and her homage to Woody Guthrie cd called "The Works".Masterpiece.

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: GUEST,Azoic
Date: 22 Aug 11 - 06:01 AM

Lea Salonga

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: GUEST,CoriSCapnSkip
Date: 23 Aug 11 - 05:18 AM

Joan Baez--best ever, especially early stuff

Mary O'Hara

Karen Carpenter

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 23 Aug 11 - 05:22 AM

Ingrid Temple. Moira Craig.

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 23 Aug 11 - 05:29 AM

From several genres:

- Julie Fowlis
- Tarja Turunen
- Flossie Malavialle
- Mari Boine

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Aug 11 - 07:11 AM

Janet Russell

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: MikeT
Date: 23 Aug 11 - 03:18 PM

How about my daughter Shaina Taub:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KWXyG3Di_Q&hd=1

www.shainataub.com

Shameless plug from a proud dad.

Mike

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 08:10 AM

Julie Fowlis!!!

If she doen't move you....check your pulse. In Gaelic, but still. Excellent piper and whistle player too.

Julie Fowlis

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: GUEST,Chris B (Born Again Scouser)
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 10:06 AM

Fiona McConnell. Sings with the great new Irish band from the Liverpool area, Ildanach. I say this in all objectivity....

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: GUEST,Bob Francis
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 05:00 PM

Emily Slade. She's got a live album out soon from a concert I was at. Definitely give a listen, bf

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 05:28 PM

Muireann Nic Ambhlaoidh:
http://muireann.ie/biog.html
As well as many of the others above!
Sally Barker, anyone?

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: cptsnapper
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 05:43 PM

Melanie Harold

Sharon Fountain

Beth Nielsen Chapman

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 05:46 PM

Moira Craig
Maureen Jelkes
Vera Ward Hall (hard to find recordings, but an astonishingly good singer)
Mahalia Jackson

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: Stewie
Date: 26 Nov 11 - 09:21 PM

I don't think the wonderful Eleanor Shanley has been mentioned. Eleanor Shanley.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: GUEST,Alan
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 03:15 AM

Antje Duvekot

Here's her version of "Reasonland" a song she wrote

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5z3JRljJj4&feature=related

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 10:04 AM

Subjective indeed but a great thread! I am both pleased and surprised to see so many Gaelic singers mentioned.
In English there are so very many wanderful ones to choose from. A few of my personal favourites that I have not seen mentioned would be Judith Durham, Catherine McKinnon, Anita Carter, Raylene Rankin, and Rita MacNeil.
In Gaelic in addition to those mentioned earlier I would add Flora MacNeil, Margaret Bennett, Joanne Rankin, Mary Margaret MacLean, and once again Raylene Rankin.

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: moecurlythanu
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 10:23 AM

Mandy Morton just edges out Maddy Prior for me.

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: Mrs Wickham
Date: 27 Nov 11 - 12:24 PM

In no particular order....

Gordeanna McCulloch
Moira Craig
Maddy Prior
Patricia Flynn
Fay Hield
Sylvia Barnes

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: Joe Offer
Date: 29 Nov 11 - 02:22 AM

I thought I would be the first to mention Suzy Bogguss, but I see pdq beat me to the punch way back in August. As pdq said, the Simpatico album she did with Chet Atkins was terrific - I especially liked their recording of "He's in the Jailhouse Now."

Well, Suzy now has an album out called American Folk Songbook. It's good.

Give her a listen.

I'm also partial to Nanci Griffith, and really liked her two Other Voices, Other Rooms albums. Another is Kathy Mattea, who did a nice collection of mining songs titled Coal.

Tops on my list are Priscilla Herdman, Anne Hills, and Cindy Mangsen; along with Sally Rogers. Oh, and Iris Dement - they don't get much better than Iris Dement.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: I need a new favorite female vocalist.
From: GUEST,tonguefish
Date: 29 Nov 11 - 03:44 AM

Gillian Welch