To Thread - Forum Home

The Mudcat Café TM
https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=52892
159 messages

Review: Purest female voice

25 Oct 02 - 06:13 PM (#811442)
Subject: Review: Purest female voice
From: ballpienhammer

Opinions requested: Who has the best voice in folk/bluegrass?


25 Oct 02 - 06:16 PM (#811444)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Sorcha

Mary Black, but she doesn't do bluegrass.


25 Oct 02 - 06:17 PM (#811449)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: wilco

I mostly listen to old time blugrass, so I can't guess on the folk part. But, my vote would me Emmy Lou Harris.


25 Oct 02 - 06:22 PM (#811453)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Murray MacLeod

Emmylou for me too, no question.

Murray


25 Oct 02 - 06:35 PM (#811459)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: catspaw49

Around here, if you find too many votes for other than Emmylou, it will be a miracle. I have a lot of people that I can think of but in these stupid best things.....Emmylou.

Spaw


25 Oct 02 - 06:44 PM (#811468)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: 53

Nancy Griffith


25 Oct 02 - 07:42 PM (#811512)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Leadfingers

Its all so subjective.Have you heard them all??.I would put a vote in for a semi pro friend of mine (who did a few gigs New York area a while ago)--name of Moira Craig,gets booked to Sidmouth to run ballad sessions and is one of the best unaccompanied singers I know,


25 Oct 02 - 07:53 PM (#811524)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Don Firth

Not to be a smart-ass, but could you define what you mean by "pure?"

Don Firth


25 Oct 02 - 07:54 PM (#811527)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Don Firth

And "best?"

Don Firth


25 Oct 02 - 07:54 PM (#811528)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: secondroy

Emmylou, and drop dead good looking to boot!


25 Oct 02 - 08:01 PM (#811534)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: RolyH

Purist voice - gotta be Anne Briggs


25 Oct 02 - 08:20 PM (#811553)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: ballpienhammer

Don, Golly, I don't really know. I guess by purest I mean can hold her own with little accompanyment. By best, I mean best range and truest voice. Boy, that is pretty ambivalent, right? Vague, too. I really am looking for y'alls opinions as to your favourites as well. Reason?
I am looking for artists unknown to me that y'all will share!


25 Oct 02 - 08:27 PM (#811557)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Barbara Shaw

I really like Lynn Morris and Suzanne Thomas for female bluegrass vocalists.


25 Oct 02 - 09:39 PM (#811603)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: michaelr

When it comes to (unaccompanied or other) Irish singing, Niamh Parsons is the one.

See this thread.

Cheers,
Michael


25 Oct 02 - 09:50 PM (#811609)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Allan Dennehy

The late great Sandy Denny. Remember her singing Who knows where the time goes?


25 Oct 02 - 09:54 PM (#811612)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: leprechaun

Phyllis Diller


25 Oct 02 - 09:56 PM (#811614)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST

No contest: PRISCILLA HERDMAN!


25 Oct 02 - 10:00 PM (#811620)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: harpgirl

Kate Mackenzie, Laurie Lewis, and Claire Lynch.


25 Oct 02 - 10:10 PM (#811637)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Steve Latimer

Emmylou


25 Oct 02 - 10:18 PM (#811642)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Mudlark

Anne Hills has a beautiful voice, strong and pure and heartfelt. As I kid I loved Judy Collins' voice...her early recordings still give me a thrill. And the late Eva Cassidy was hard to beat. As is Emmy Lou.


25 Oct 02 - 10:59 PM (#811659)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: YOR

I'll put in one vote for Karla Bonoff.


25 Oct 02 - 11:44 PM (#811680)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Bill D

I HATE 'best' threads....especially when Jean Redpath is not mentioned...wow!


26 Oct 02 - 05:46 AM (#811775)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: KingBrilliant

I'll vote for Moira Craig too. Beautiful agile voice like weaving with a silver thread.

Kris


26 Oct 02 - 05:54 AM (#811777)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Hrothgar

Baez.

I'm getting old.


26 Oct 02 - 06:22 AM (#811782)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: KJ

Dolores Keane, you can't say it's 'pure', as in pure like a choirboy, but for emotional range she's one of the best. June Tabor also ranks a very close second in my opinion.


26 Oct 02 - 06:40 AM (#811788)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Santa

I'm surprised no-one has mentioned Maddy Prior.

I remember Edain returning from a Market Tavern session (Fylde Festival) in awe at having been sat in front of Pat Ryan during the choruses.

But if I have to pick one, when Maggie Boyle tilts back her head and sings I just close my eyes and there's nothing to match.


26 Oct 02 - 07:44 AM (#811805)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Giac

Range and emotion: Yma Sumac.

Lordy! That woman could make sounds only dogs could hear. Still play a tape I made, of her old LP, occasionally, and the "lullaby to a dead baby" continues to make my hair stand up.


26 Oct 02 - 08:22 AM (#811815)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: TNDARLN

Emmylou, when she's not doing wrecking ball-type stuff. Karen Casey- formerly of SolAS, now solO.


26 Oct 02 - 08:24 AM (#811817)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST,van lingle

Lots of great ones listed above. I think of Kate Rusby, Connie Dover and June Tabor as a few who have "pure voices". vl


26 Oct 02 - 08:37 AM (#811822)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: 53

Emmy Lou is good too.


26 Oct 02 - 12:08 PM (#811863)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: allanwill

Alison Krauss is my current favourite in the country/bluegrass arena.

And like Allan Dennehy above, no-one can hold a candle to Sandy Denny, although Eva Cassidy shines like a very bright match.

Allan


26 Oct 02 - 12:21 PM (#811873)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: diesel

For what my tuppenceworth is:

Sinead O'Connor !

Angelic voice - and as for looks - well .....


26 Oct 02 - 12:44 PM (#811881)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Art Thieme

young Joan Baez and Mary O'hara. (a dead heat tie)

None better for purity of vocal abilities.

Emmylou I can't understand half the time.

Yma Sumac is to vocalizing what Arnold Schwartzenegger was to a healthy looking body (overgrown and excessive-------a mere parody).

Art Thieme


26 Oct 02 - 12:47 PM (#811882)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: My guru always said

Melanie Harrold would take some beating for sure.

Moira Craig's good too!!!!


26 Oct 02 - 01:21 PM (#811902)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Alice

I like Jean Redpath for Scottish singing,
Jean Ritchie for American traditional,
Tish Hinojosa contemporary singersongwriter,
commercial bluegrass Alison Krauss.

Like Art's pick, from the 1950's, Mary O'Hara, from Sligo raised in the tradition, but had vocal training later... as Jean Ritchie would call it, Mary O'Hara had a "cut crystal" voice. It's not a pure folk sound, but still O'Hara is in kind of her own niche.

I like Mary Black, Sandy Denny, Maddy Prior, Dolores Keane, already mentioned,
and Jacqui McShee from PENTANGLE.

I like to listen to independent "unknown" singers and musicians on mp3.com, people who are making music at home and sharing it through the internet. Give a listen to the voice of Melissa Webb, bluegrass, Click here Not sure what you mean by pure, so I just listed some I enjoy and appreciate for what they can do. Most singers I listen to are on Irish or Scottish recordings.

Also give a listen to Jodee James, an American singer of Welsh songs Click here

AND our own Mudcatter Denise Couch, in England, who with her husband Ned make the duo MAD RUSH.Click here Denise "Deni" is a good songwriter, too.


26 Oct 02 - 01:34 PM (#811908)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Don Firth

You'll have to go back a few years, but Cynthia Gooding. Voice low and strong. Did several solo albums on Elektra and one album with Theodore Bikel. Young Man and a Maid. Impressive!

Don Firth


26 Oct 02 - 01:55 PM (#811916)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Alice

I agree with Bill D about not liking "best threads", so from my point of view, there isn't really a "best" singer or voice. Each person is going to be unique if they are true to their own voice, not imitating.


26 Oct 02 - 01:59 PM (#811920)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST,Stefan Wirz

then what about 'very good':
Ever heared Judy Mayhan doing (her own) 'Freest Fancy' or "See Here'?


26 Oct 02 - 03:11 PM (#811955)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Alice

... and Nana Mouskouri

Ballpeinhammer, you may enjoy this earlier 1998 thread of Mudcat member choices: All Time Favorites


26 Oct 02 - 07:30 PM (#812062)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: ballpienhammer

thanks, Alice.   bph


26 Oct 02 - 09:59 PM (#812138)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: sharyn

Listen for Jeannie Robertson (deceased now) -- one of the best Scottish traditional singers. Also her daughter Lizzie Higgins. And Susan Reed who recorded in the forties had a great voice. Cindy Kallet, who is alive and well. Kathy Kallick in bluegrass. Dolly Parton has a beautiful voice if you can wade through her material. And the singers in Out of the Rain, a defunct Bay Area band, two of whom are female, have gorgeous voices. The women of Charming Hostess have the best vocal control and flexibility of anyone I've heard singing traditional material. Janet Russell is a lovely singer, as is Christine Kydd.


26 Oct 02 - 10:36 PM (#812167)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST

Maybe not strictly folk but Judith Durham would be my idea of the purest female voice.

Recent female voices... I heard Miranda Sykes, with Firebrand sing "Will Ye Go To Flanders", while playing double bass of course, when they were in Cromer couple of weeks ago. The most stirring version I have heard.

It's all so subjective though...

Jon


26 Oct 02 - 10:40 PM (#812170)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Joe Offer

Since they sing together, I'm going to vote for Herdman/Hills/Mangsen. I've never heard three more beautiful voices together.
I'd really like to vote for Ella Fitzgerald, but I guess that's not allowed. Isn't "Miss Otis Regrets" ALMOST like a folk song?
-Joe Offer-


26 Oct 02 - 11:04 PM (#812190)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: raredance

I probably fall into the Alison Krause/Kate Rusby group. But yes, the early Mary Black, and Ann Mayo Muir, and Kate Wolf and Em....oh hell, I shouldn't respond to these kind of threads

rich r


27 Oct 02 - 12:08 AM (#812207)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST,Dale

A few. I left off my choices that have already been mentioned. As has already been mentioned, hightly subjective, which is why I can't name just one.

Esther Ofarim

Nana Mouskouri (whoops, I see she was named by Alice ~~ too late, already on the list)

Judith Durham (yeah, I know ~~ already mentioned, but I couldn't resist)

Marie-Michèle Desrosiers

Annette Hanshaw (when not copying Helen Kane)

Mary Hopkin

Paddie Bell


27 Oct 02 - 12:28 AM (#812216)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Stilly River Sage

For a contemporary singer, Emmylou gets my vote. But the one who knocks me out, hands down, is not on this list so far. Have any of you heard Jessie Norman sing "Amazing Grace"? She has no equal.

SRS


27 Oct 02 - 05:29 PM (#812710)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST,chinmusic

Eva Cassidy- Everyone else line up behind her.


27 Oct 02 - 06:28 PM (#812753)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Puffenkinty

Kelly Kennedy - sings Irish folk songs with the band
"Thirty-nine Fingers" and a mixture of folk songs
on her own CD.


27 Oct 02 - 06:34 PM (#812756)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Alice

Yes, Eva Cassidy, a good one and a tragic loss of a talent so young with so much to give.


27 Oct 02 - 06:38 PM (#812760)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: dorareever

Not purest voice maybe but my favorite female singers are Neko Case,Edith Piaf,Dolores Keane,Margaret Barry.And many others,but these 4 are really my kind of singers.It would be easier to say who I don't like.I don't like Karan Casey,I don't like Joan Baez.I like Emmylou a lot.But now,how can't you like her?

Nancy McCallion of The Mollys has a beautiful voice and so did Catherine Zavala,but surely that really isn't a pure voice.Is a muddy voice and a fine one.


27 Oct 02 - 08:39 PM (#812814)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: van lingle

Go ahead and vote for Ella, Joe. She also did Porter's "Don't Fence Me In" which is also nearly a folk song. vl


27 Oct 02 - 09:04 PM (#812821)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST

Maggie Boyle, heard her singing solo live at Whitby for the first time this year, full gut reaction, hairs up on back of neck, the works, a beautiful woman with a beautiful voice and the ability to use it beautifully.


27 Oct 02 - 09:17 PM (#812830)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Bassic

Sorry, lost my cookie, guest above is me


27 Oct 02 - 11:56 PM (#812888)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Art Thieme

Morganna King and her rendition of "It's A Lazy Afternnon" is pretty amazing. Ain't folk, but it's "good though".

Art


28 Oct 02 - 07:27 AM (#813020)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST,Geordie

Maddy Prior, Delores Keene, Norma Waterson, Emmylou and the incomparable......June Tabor.
   Non folk.........Callas...there is no other.


28 Oct 02 - 08:03 AM (#813033)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST

Subjective: Nina of (Nina and Frederik) Nana Mouskouri, Emma Christian, Cicelia Bartoli, Loreena Mc Kennitt....


28 Oct 02 - 08:04 AM (#813034)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST,MC Fat

Not Folk Music but Annie Lennox is supposed to be the 'purest'. Someone told me a story that she once went to the top voice coach in the UK sandg for her and this person said there was nothing she could teach her she just had a perfect voice.


28 Oct 02 - 09:54 AM (#813103)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Alice

Emmylou has one of those voices that alot of men like and many women don't as it sounds like a Fran Drescher whine to many ears.


28 Oct 02 - 04:33 PM (#813202)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Pooby

Aaaaggghh! EmmyLou sounding like Fran Drescher, who has one of the single most annoying voices on the planet? Fuhgeddaboudit! But then again, I was hesitant to toss EH's name into the "purest voice" ring, thinking it was just a subjective thing on my part. But 50 million 'Catters (give or take) can't be wrong. I've often told friends (foes, too, probably) that I'd listen to EmmyLou sing the Yellow Pages, if it came down to it.

Not being a woman, I couldn't begin to imagine what her voice sounds like to female ears (or, for that matter, why it should sound different to yours than it does to mine). But she gets a great big numero-uno in my top 10 list. (And yes, I'm probably thinking mainly of the pre-Wrecking Ball voice, at least when it comes to purity.)

Ain't politics grand?

Poobs


28 Oct 02 - 05:03 PM (#813215)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: dorareever

I'm female and to me Emmylou's voice sounds like heaven.


28 Oct 02 - 07:24 PM (#813260)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Malachy

Emylou for me too..tho i agree with Sharyn..Dolly Partons not bad ..if you can wade through the crap.


28 Oct 02 - 08:10 PM (#813280)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Malachy

But if we're not talking bluegrass...Margo Timmins from the Cowboy Junkies..!!


28 Oct 02 - 09:42 PM (#813337)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Socorro

Patsy Cline


28 Oct 02 - 10:39 PM (#813376)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Steve Latimer

Malachy,

Good one, I'd forgotten about Margo. She's right up there.


28 Oct 02 - 10:59 PM (#813385)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Alice

I just heard Margo Timmins singing on the radio right before I checked this thread. She was on "The Infinite Mind" on a program about siblings. "Margo recalls the times when her brothers put her in hockey nets and shot pucks at her head."
She sang Black Eyed Man... audio here:
http://www.theinfinitemind.com/mind240.htm


28 Oct 02 - 11:15 PM (#813393)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Steve Latimer

Alice,

That's just a Canadian rite of passage, isn't it?


29 Oct 02 - 05:27 AM (#813435)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Declan

I'd agree with many of the above names. I don't think there is one best/purest/whatever singer. I don't even have a 'favourite' singer, but there are a lot of really good ones around. Some people I'm listening to a lot lately are Karine Polwarth (sings with Scottish bands Malinky & MacAlias and was with the Battlefield Band for a while) and Jane & Amanda Threlfell from England. But how could you say they were better than Emylou, or Niamh Parsons or Allison Krauss or Kate Rusby or Sandy Denny or Linda Thompson or Dolores Keane or Mary Black or Mairead Ni Domhnall or Mairead Ni Oistin or Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh or ....

Music isn't supposed to be a competition - go out and enjoy them all.


29 Oct 02 - 05:53 AM (#813446)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: JudeL

If we're talking a "pure" female voice as opposed to simply an enjoyable one, and we're not restricting it to current and to folk, then my vote would have to go for Karen Carpenter. Her voice was so clear and smooth without any rasps/rumbles/squeaks/burrs/breathiness or any of the other vocal tricks that so may singers use. There are many other singers who'se voices have a character that are very enjoyable and that I would rather listen to, but that wasn't the question.


29 Oct 02 - 06:02 AM (#813449)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: An Croenen

I'd like to add Eddi Reader to this list. I think you would enjoy her cd 'Angels and Electricity'. Martha Sebastyen, a hungarian singer, is a joy to listen to as well. Especially her traditional material with Muszikas. And there is a Portuguese band called Madredeus, with Teresa Salgueiro, who has an angelic voice accompanied by cello, accordeon, and guitars; and you would be touched by a Spanish lady called Marina Rossell; my father heard her on the radio about a year ago and wrote her name on the back of a matchstick box (as you do). We now both have her cd called Ha Llovido in our collection. I recommend it especially if you like a clear, more mature voice. Enjoy!


29 Oct 02 - 08:01 AM (#813483)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Wolfgang

Anne Byrne

Wolfgang


29 Oct 02 - 09:22 AM (#813526)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST,guest

one of those who rank at the top of female vocalist has to be Jennifer King


29 Oct 02 - 09:24 AM (#813530)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Alio

I agree with michaelr - it's got to be Niamh Parsons.


29 Oct 02 - 11:03 AM (#813594)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST,Siobhan from Dublin

The most wonderful singer I have heard for many years is Sinead Stone, most of you may never have heard of her, treat yourself.

Maxi from RTE has regularly been playing tracks from her CD "Legacy of a Quiet Man", that's where I first came across her. For anyone interested she has a website -

www.stoneandfarrelly.com


29 Oct 02 - 12:59 PM (#813703)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST,Eric

Yes your so right Siobhan, Sinead Stone has a stunning voice and her album is so sensitively produced, the song "Annaghdown" by Farrelly is a gem.


29 Oct 02 - 01:19 PM (#813722)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Don Firth

The late Amalia Rodriguez, Portuguese fado singer.

Don Firth


29 Oct 02 - 04:06 PM (#813854)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: mg

another vote for Anne Byrne...what is she doing? Any recent stuff out? She has the most beautiful voice..I had a record many years ago and someone on the internet sent me a couple of tapes..but they were many years old. Tell me she is still recording...mg


29 Oct 02 - 05:07 PM (#813914)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Genie

Miriam Makeba, K. D. Lang and Nana Mouskouri are right up there, especially when it comes to range. Yma Sumac, too - at least 5 octaves, I think.

In bluegrass, Emmy Lou is great, but so are I Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch.

Moving farther away from bluegrass, I gotta mention an all-time favorite voice. The other day I heard a recording of a song from, probably, the 1940s, and I found myself thinking: "Who IS that? What an incredibly beautiful voice!" After awhile I recalled who it was: Ella Fitzgerald. She could range from soft cooing to belting it out and just had an exceptional tonal quality to her voice.

But seriously, how to you specify "the purest?"

And is "purest" necessarily "best?" Lots of folks prefer 'dirty voices' because they're more distinctive and interesting.

Genie


29 Oct 02 - 05:28 PM (#813929)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Don Firth

In this context, "purest" and "best" are pretty subjective, methinks.

Don Firth


29 Oct 02 - 06:54 PM (#813987)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: nager

There's so many ... but gotta put Cara Dillon on the list!


29 Oct 02 - 07:05 PM (#813992)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Malachy

Cheers Steve
Don't know where you are...ie UK or USA. Cowboy Junkies not that well known here in UK.
And Alice...thanks for the link..found the CJs' website through it.
Mal


29 Oct 02 - 08:32 PM (#814057)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST

I could go along with Karen Carpenter in my interpretation of "pure, I don't see range comes into pure...

I fear music we enjoy, singers we enjoy creep into threads like these...

To attempt to assist a spanner in the works, take Kirsty McColl and Fairy Tale Of New York. I loved her singing, would listen to her voice in preference to many mentioned here but... would I consider it pure?


29 Oct 02 - 08:46 PM (#814070)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Steve Latimer

Malachy,

Neither, I grew up in Toronto, Canada where the Cowboy Junkies got their start. Lots of airplay years (10?) ago. Haven't heard much lately, but I always thought that Margo had a wonderful, soulful, expressive voice.


30 Oct 02 - 03:38 AM (#814192)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Allan Dennehy

I can't see that anyone mentioned Patsy Cline. Shame on us!


30 Oct 02 - 04:44 AM (#814210)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST,MC Fat

Cara Dillon's voice may be good but her stage performance is a major dissapointment that factored with a backing band consisting of over inflated ego's make her a no no in my book.


30 Oct 02 - 05:59 AM (#814240)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: fogie

Interesting voices? I always liked Joni Mitchell,and Jenifer Warnes They can do things with their voices that others just can't or are scared to try.


30 Oct 02 - 06:09 AM (#814242)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST,noddy

The voices of Anne Taggart and Angie Wright must be up there with them. Individualy they are very good and as a duo they are tremendous. Maggie Boyle has even commented on how good they are.


30 Oct 02 - 07:08 AM (#814258)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST

Bett Midler the divine miss M has to have one of the greatest voices around.
Not only can the girl sing she can act and put on shows that were way ahead of anything Madonna tried to do( and Im not talking vocaly. Madonna has a poor Vocal range in comparison to singers. )

Barbara Sriesand WOW.

Joni Mitchell absolute cracker.

Female vocalist with Cappercailie cant think of her name. Shame on Me.


30 Oct 02 - 07:13 AM (#814260)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Bagpuss

Karen Matheson, Guest


30 Oct 02 - 07:46 AM (#814281)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST,threaddrift

Re. Cara Dillon - yeah she can sing (remember Oige?) but her sister Mary is better (Deánta). Sam Lakeman has ironed out the "edge" in Cara's voice - and has made her overall sound somewhat anodyne and lacking in "balls". A shame, really. drifter.


30 Oct 02 - 08:12 AM (#814296)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Folkie

I'm surprised no-one has mentioned Nancy Kerr yet


30 Oct 02 - 08:31 AM (#814309)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: weerover

Joan Baez, Frankie Armstrong, Dolores Keane..but my own personal fave is Gordeanna McCulloch (non-UK members shout "who?" in unison)


30 Oct 02 - 08:51 AM (#814318)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: ballpienhammer

funnily enough, no one has mentioned Carolyn Hester or Bonnie Lynn
O'Farrell...?bph


30 Oct 02 - 09:03 AM (#814325)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: ballpienhammer

and Sylvia Fricker?...Bonnie Raitt?


30 Oct 02 - 09:18 AM (#814335)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST

Not a folksinger, of course, but Celine Dion has the purest, most amazing voice in the world.


30 Oct 02 - 09:23 AM (#814340)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: ballpienhammer

to each his own...I want to be sung to, not screamed at! That goes for Martina McBride as well!


30 Oct 02 - 09:43 AM (#814353)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: greg stephens

Never been very interested in pure females. I know some fabulously impure ones, though.


30 Oct 02 - 10:59 AM (#814418)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Alice

Sissel Kyrkjebø, Scandinavian singer who has recorded with the Chieftains - she crosses over well into folk and through other genres. You should hear her Shenandoah with Paddy Maloney as well as beautiful Norwegian folk songs.


30 Oct 02 - 11:41 AM (#814460)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Don Firth

I just heard Sissel Kyrkjebø in a brief interview on NPR this morning. Lovely voice and she uses it well.

I have to agree about Karen Carpenter. Smooth, easy, she just opened her mouth and sang. Similar in her own way to the relaxed, natural style of guys like Bing Crosby, Perry Como, or Dean Martin. Nice.

Don Firth


30 Oct 02 - 02:49 PM (#814635)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Genie

greg S., when it comes to "impure female voices" that I love (or impure females with voices that I love), I immediately think of the late Edith Piaf!

;-D


31 Oct 02 - 04:20 AM (#815009)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST,sugar daddy

the voice of the one you love.


31 Oct 02 - 11:38 AM (#815243)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST,noddy

ooo that is sweet.


31 Oct 02 - 01:57 PM (#815361)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Freso

And true none the less...


31 Oct 02 - 03:48 PM (#815423)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST,holly

The purest voice I've heard is Karen Peris, the lead singer from Innocence Mission. Their last album was very folkie.

Young Joan Baez is up there too. And Kate Rusby just rocks all around.


31 Oct 02 - 04:19 PM (#815449)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST,Stooball

Anyone remember Lynn Gold? She cut one album in the sixties and appeared on Oscar Brand's Let's Sing Out TV show once, just an amazing voice. NEver heard of her again, though the liner notes say she was also an actress. She sang THe Melora Ballad - only Carolyn Hester (as far as I know) ever did that one - also called BlackJack Oak, and there was a thread about that a while ago.


31 Oct 02 - 04:26 PM (#815454)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST,Chicken Charlie

Tiny Tim


04 Dec 02 - 06:14 PM (#840811)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST,Maria

Siobhan from Dublin, you may not get this posting but thanks to yourself I visited Sinead Stones website, which I found really interesting and decided to order her album.
She is fantastic, understated and sublime. The CD is beautiful and there is a great story behind it which I read on the site. I am delighted to have found something quiet special and fresh to listen to.

Sinead Stone - http://www.stoneandfarrelly.com

Regards,

Maria


04 Dec 02 - 06:22 PM (#840819)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST,Maria

Hope I can get the link to work this time.
http://www.stoneandfarrelly.com


05 Dec 02 - 03:00 PM (#841666)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST,Beatrice NY


05 Dec 02 - 03:03 PM (#841671)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST,Beatrice NY

Thanks Maria for the info on Sinead Stone, Iv'e just ordered her album and very much look forward to hearing it.

Beatrice


05 Dec 02 - 03:06 PM (#841675)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Amos

Well you guys need to hear Hesperis, and Morticia, and Peg, andf Alice. They are all purely beautiful. I got to hear them while asssembling the infamous M__C__S__CD_.   


A...


05 Dec 02 - 04:04 PM (#841740)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Rustic Rebel

If you ever get a chance listen to Rena Haus. She puts on a great show and has a beautiful voice. I met her 2 years ago, she did a gig up at a little tavern by my place and stayed at my home that night. We have been friends since then.
Peace, Rustic


05 Dec 02 - 04:22 PM (#841753)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Merritt

Well, whatever "pure" means, and whatever genre we're talking about:

~ Jo Stafford - WW II-era; my Dad had a 78 RPM record with her doing "I'lll String Along With You"
~ Anita O'Day -
~ Inevitably Emmy Lou
~ Iris Dement - did anyone hear her do "That's The Way Love Goes" (Lefty Frizell tune) on Prairie Home Companion recently with Garrison Keillor mooing along in the background?
~ Lucinda Williams - Little Darlin' Pal O' Mine, Can't Let Go, Jackson

- Merritt


"It's all one big note." - Frank Zappa


05 Dec 02 - 04:50 PM (#841774)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST,Arkie

I admit to being subjective but will submit the following anyway - Margaret Nelson, Molly Andrews, and Emma Smith. Also like Eva Cassidy, Maura O'Connell, and Linda Ronstadt.


11 Dec 02 - 12:09 PM (#845230)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST,Michael

Having read some of the recent postings, I went to the Sinead Stone website, I asked my sister back home in the old sod, if she had heard of her album. She saw her sing a track from it on The Late Late Show a few months ago and has heard it a few times on radio.

Anyway, she sent me over a copy and basically I love it, it's a very beautifully recorded album with a great version of that classic song "The Isle Of Innisfree". The songwriters son is on piano and did the arrangments.

But for this great site which I look in on now and again, I would not have come across the CD or indeed others in the past.

Michael


11 Dec 02 - 12:31 PM (#845249)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: allanwill

I like to get some aussie names into these sort of threads, and as far as "purity" and "clarity" of a voice is concerned, Cathie O'Sullivan is right up there amongst the best.

Allan


11 Dec 02 - 01:26 PM (#845299)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST,BOROMIR

LINDA RONSTADT


11 Dec 02 - 02:05 PM (#845343)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Raptor

Dixie chicks, And that girl from Till Tuesday Forget her name

Raptor


11 Dec 02 - 09:43 PM (#845685)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Genie

What's her name? Enya's sister.


12 Dec 02 - 04:48 PM (#846194)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: M'Grath of Altcar

Ethel Merman!!


12 Dec 02 - 06:31 PM (#846269)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Bobert

Vince Gill

Bobert


12 Dec 02 - 07:59 PM (#846338)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST

for 1960's folk------Catherine McKinnon(The Voice of an Angel) Singalong Jubilee. Only available in Canada.(a pity)
Her and Anne Murray both got their start on this show.


12 Dec 02 - 10:08 PM (#846403)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Genie

Nah, M'Grath, Ethel Merman is not Enya's sister!

What IS her name, anyway?


12 Dec 02 - 10:15 PM (#846408)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Alice

Do you mean Máire Brennan?


13 Dec 02 - 10:28 AM (#846650)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: pattyClink

Jan Smith, in Smithfield Fair.


13 Dec 02 - 01:36 PM (#846780)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST

Yeah, Alice, that's right, I think. She recently appeared on that PBS Irish (Celtic?) Christmas special with Maura O'Connor and Frank McCort and others.


13 Dec 02 - 03:17 PM (#846866)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST,jennet

the incomparable anne briggs of course *sigh*, the holy trinity of sandy, maddy, and june, karan casey, whose voice is like a strong oak covered in white feathers, and, because she beat me to it, kate rusby. would that my albums had such reviews! i'm listening to sandy sing "bruton town" right now. definitely more emotional range than maddy and tim hart's version.
honorable mentions go to christine primrose and linda thompson.


09 Aug 03 - 01:39 AM (#999283)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull

Eliza Carthy.
PS, I'm fed up of heering about Mike Harding going on about Cara Dillon every week, she is good, but so are plenty of other people.and she isent as good as eliza anyway.


09 Aug 03 - 05:59 AM (#999313)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Margret RoadKnight

Coupla more Australian ones -
Jeannie Lewis, & Mara (Kiek)


09 Aug 03 - 09:30 AM (#999348)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST,Himself

Has any-one mentioned Nancy Kerr......spine tingling !!


09 Aug 03 - 10:19 AM (#999364)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Trevor

Anybody heard Marta Sebestyen? Now there's a voice. Have a listen to Boheme, by Deep Forest. Or the soundtrack to The English Patient.


09 Aug 03 - 02:51 PM (#999456)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Leadfingers

Merritt you mention Jo Stafford- Add on Cinderella G Crump and Darlene
Edwards Jo Stafford used these names to record with Red Ingle and with her husband The bandleader Paul Weston.An incredible variety of musical styles !


09 Aug 03 - 03:30 PM (#999467)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST,pdq

Kate Wolf, although she seems to be a Northern California only phenomenon. Also one of the best song writers ever.


09 Aug 03 - 09:56 PM (#999519)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Ely

Another vote for Kate Wolf, but I also suggest Anita Carter.


10 Aug 03 - 02:48 AM (#999571)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Little Robyn

For uncompromising purity - Shirley Collins.


13 Aug 03 - 03:11 PM (#1001396)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull

Mike Harding just managed to go for a full 30 seconds without mentioning Cara Dillon!


13 Aug 03 - 04:23 PM (#1001456)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST,eliza c


13 Aug 03 - 04:30 PM (#1001459)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST,eliza c

Oops. What I meant to say was Julie Murphy, and Billie Holliday. And Linda Ronstadt, she had a great voice. And me Ma, obviously. Almeida Riddle! And Elizabeth Cotten. And Mahalia Jackson. And Beth Gibbons and Tracy Thorn from Everything But the Girl.
I always loved Sheila Stewart's voice, she has amazing gravity and gravitas. Can't think of anyone else. Or can, but too many.
cheers,
e c

(ps thanks john...;) )


14 Aug 03 - 07:56 AM (#1001803)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST,Martha

Dear John from Hull,

I like your posting of Aug 9. Yes Cara Dillon is very good but a little too sweet and light-weight. Have you heard of Dublin's Sinead Stone, now in my humble opinon she has a truly superb voice and can really deliver a lyric.

When you think of some of the successful singers around, it's amazing she is not signed to a major label.

Her album is really worth getting - "Legacy Of A Quiet Man". Her website is www.stoneandfarrelly.com

PS. Along with musican Gerard Farrelly, Probably the best version one will here of "The Isle Of Innisfree" and there's another beautiful song called "Annaghdown".

Slan.


14 Aug 03 - 08:26 AM (#1001817)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST,Strollin' Johnny

Wot a waste of time these kind of threads are! There's no such thing as 'best' or 'purest' or any other kind of 'est'. Just provokes people to try to be smart-arses and outdo everyone else by dropping increasingly obscure names into the ring.

'Who's your favourite this-or-that, and why?' would produce a much more meaningful response.

Johnny


14 Aug 03 - 08:46 AM (#1001829)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: mooman

So many great singers and impossible to pick a particular one out....

In from left of field as usual with a few more suggestions not yet mentioned...!

Lasairfhíona Ní Chonaola (Inishere)

Sevara Nazarkhan (Uzbekistan)

Perla Batalla (USA/Mexico)

Peace,

moo


14 Aug 03 - 12:35 PM (#1002005)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST,Strollin' Johnny

Thanks, Mooman, for proving my point! (Or was it just a leg-pull? Can't tell as I've never heard of any of them!)
Pax Vobiscum.
Johnny


14 Aug 03 - 12:41 PM (#1002010)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: mooman

(;>)


14 Aug 03 - 12:42 PM (#1002012)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST,Martha

Dear Strollin' Johnny,

The name Sinead Stone may well be obscure to you and indeed others, as are many of the suggestions in this thread, of that I've no doubt, however to a huge number of people here in Ireland the name is not so obscure.

Having heard her album played time and time again by many of the big names on Irish radio over the past year or so, having seen a television documentary on the making of her album, and with Late Late show appearences among others, no I don't think she's all that obscure.

I simply put her name forward as I believe her to be a wonderful singer as do others in this thread before me. Can't see why you should get so up-tight. If you don't like the thread, simply go to another.


14 Aug 03 - 12:43 PM (#1002013)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: mooman

My favourites actually Johnny!

Peace

moo


14 Aug 03 - 01:39 PM (#1002072)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST,Seaking

Karine Polwart of Malinky...beautiful, crisp, clear voice. really surprised she's not had a mention so far.

CK


13 Sep 03 - 02:27 PM (#1018207)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: postman

Alison Krauss and Sissel are a head above the rest for me as far as a "pure voice" is concerned. Alison is also a great fiddler. Kate Wolf is one of my favorites - and as an overall singer and composer, she's in class by herself.


13 Sep 03 - 03:03 PM (#1018223)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Peter T.

Purity of voice is not everything one is looking for -- I revere Ella Fitzgerald, but when you are down and out, only Billie Holiday can do it, and she had nothing like a pure voice.

yours,

Peter T.


24 Jul 06 - 04:02 PM (#1791933)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST,Thomas

Sandy Denny


24 Jul 06 - 04:52 PM (#1791961)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Bloke in the Corner

Wow! what a long time. I suppose Karen Black is in there somewhere - the purest voice on the planet, but not the best. Maybe Emmy-Lou...maybe


24 Jul 06 - 05:00 PM (#1791966)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Bernard

You haven't heard Jen Hadfield yet... we'll be doing some commercial recording soon, so watch this space!!


24 Jul 06 - 05:32 PM (#1791993)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Anne Lister

Judy Collins, Grace Griffith, Lisa Moscatiello, Annie Power ...oh, there are so many!

Anne


24 Jul 06 - 07:23 PM (#1792089)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Folkiedave

Cannot imagine why there is an argument. Americans may disagree but........

Jeannie Robertson. Lal Waterson.

End


24 Jul 06 - 08:15 PM (#1792143)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Midchuck

Call me a Vermont chauvinist, if you will.

Cindy Mangsen.

Peter.


25 Jul 06 - 04:28 AM (#1792450)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Scrump

IMO Chris While has the finest voice of any female singer. Not that I think this thread has any real merit - just thought I'd put in a word for her as no-one else seems to have mentioned her.


25 Jul 06 - 08:35 AM (#1792592)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: skipy

Gilly Derby (back in her Waterfall days)
Skipy


25 Jul 06 - 10:55 AM (#1792711)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Scoville

Anita Carter!!

Young Joan Baez, Judy Collins, or Joni Mitchell.

Not as "pure", but Kate Wolf is still my all-over favorite.


25 Jul 06 - 12:14 PM (#1792800)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: Cruiser

Shelby Flint

She wrote and recorded "Angel on My Shoulder" that debuted on 2/06/61 and charted at #22.

Her recording of the traditional folk "The Riddle Song" ("I gave My Love a Cherry") on a Collectors' Choice Music CD demonstrates the purest female voice I have ever heard.


PS: Johnny Mathis borrowed the melody of "The Riddle Song" for his #9 hit "The Twelfth Of Never" in 1957.

Cruiser


25 Jul 06 - 04:46 PM (#1793025)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: van lingle

Mary Fahl, who sang with October Project has an awesome voice. Listen to her "Going Home" that was the theme song for the movie Gods and Generals.
Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh with Danu is my favorite Irish singer. I don't know how "pure" her voice is though, she uses lots of ornaments to great effect.vl


25 Jul 06 - 05:10 PM (#1793042)
Subject: RE: Review: Purest female voice
From: GUEST,Karen Walker

There's a singer called Ellie Skinner who I saw at the Oxford Festival this year and I recomend highly.

You can hear her: Ellie Skinner

I think she is at Towersey festival this year but I will check.

Karen