So am I .Reality is not in fashion though .
BEST FEMALE VOCAL EVER
HELLO TO ALL...
I've started a BEST MALE VOCAL seperately - if you want to contribute to that, please go that discussion...
I personally think the BEST FEMALE is so much harder than the Best Male, and I already have so many names in mind that I thought I'd wait and see others suggestions.
SO PLEASE OFFER YOU HUMBLE OPINION - BUT PLEASE, offer only one.
THANKS to all who cotribute...
I've started a BEST MALE VOCAL seperately - if you want to contribute to that, please go that discussion...
I personally think the BEST FEMALE is so much harder than the Best Male, and I already have so many names in mind that I thought I'd wait and see others suggestions.
SO PLEASE OFFER YOU HUMBLE OPINION - BUT PLEASE, offer only one.
THANKS to all who cotribute...
98 responses Add your response
On the subject of Kate Bush; one of her songs that I like is Wuthering Heights. Pat Benetar also doe a good version but here is a new candidate: Hayley Westrenra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QowF25XP3q8 |
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I want to add to my previous post of only four words about Eva Cassidy. She could sing in just about any style. You couldn’t categorize her. That was one of the reasons I believe she did not make it big while she was alive. Yet she was extraordinary in every style. She had a seemingly limitless vocal range, and an emotional impact like an atomic bomb. |
Justvintagestuff, how about one jazz, and one rock 'n roll singer. Billie Holiday-Strange Fruit, and Darlene Love, a pure Rock n Roll singer if there ever was one. Check out her "White Christmas" from the Phil Spector Christmas album. Accept no substitutes. And thank all of you for mentioning Eva Cassidy. I looked her up because I didn’t recognize her name. That’s got to be the wonderful woman who sang a completely original, heartfelt version of my favorite chestnut "Over the Rainbow" on NPR on my way home from work years ago. I could never remember her name and never heard her again. Soon as I googled her name that song popped up. Simply unforgettable voice and delivery. I’m going to be able to find her albums now at long last. Thanks so much. You’ve made my day. Mike |
All of the ladies mentioned here are great. It would be hard, if not impossible, to rate just one as the best. A lot depends on personal music tastes and styles. Each have performed fantastic songs while other of their songs were not so memorable. Versatility is certainly a large factor and requires a lot of talent. Maybe we listen to the tonality and depth of their voices even performed in songs we don't particularly like. To all the ladies mentioned here.....not just one is best. You are all GREAT. |
+1 re Judith Durham. Given the OP’s admonition to only mention one name, and based on my assumption that the thread was not intended to address opera and classical singers or to take repertoire into account, I cited Connie Francis earlier in the thread. However I could just as easily have named Judith, and in fact I pondered which of the two to cite. Following are comments I made and quoted about Judith earlier this year in the following thread: https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/exceptional-voices-of-female-singers-non-classical Based on the purity and sheer beauty of her voice, I would cite Judith Durham, best known as the lead singer of The Seekers although she has had a distinguished solo career as well. Regards, -- Al |
To my ear there is no better voice than Karen Carpenter. When I hear her sing it just blows my mind. Not a fan of the music but her voice just kills me. A close second would be Alison Krauss. I could listen to her sing forever. I'll throw out a jazz singer who is not often mentioned but whose smokey delivery I enjoy--Carol Sloane. |
Eydie Gorme', Linda Eder. These are the two best female singers that I have ever heard sing live. Gorme' had a voice that was awe inspiring, and the magnificent Linda Eder has been around for years - she should be a national treasure, but doesn't seek the lime light like the ass shaking, lip synching, auto tuned frauds that America adores and worships. Check out Gormes "Tonight I'll Sing a Prayer" and "What Did I Have That I Don't Have" to get an idea of what a real female vocalist sounds like. These are two of the very best in my opinion, both of whom possessed (Gorme'), and possess (Eder) incredible voices and I doubt that anybody else on this forum will mention them. |
I could never pick a best. I am too capricious and the choices are too many and too great. Two that I've been fascinated with lately: Timi Yuro. I never heard of her until a few weeks ago and I think someone in the radio industry needs to be punished for that! She's just majestic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVO40-Pj5hM Eileen Rose may be as sexy as Dusty Springfield. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvHLfn1Ciuk |
Why is there no discussion on recording quality? How do you really know these "older" recording stars were really that good when the recording techniques and abilities limited how well the music sounds? McIntosh and Martin Logan equipment can only filter and enrich, so much... Considering all that, Laura Wright is the best vocalist for me! |
The first song I think of is Tracy Nelson singing "Down So Low". Linda Ronstadt covered the song, but to me it didn’t have the power of the original. Another great female singer is Joan Osbourne. Soul, R&B, blues. She’s great with all of them. So much shading in her singing. Can’t get enough of her. Btw, I'm a big fan of Eva Cassidy. She had an amazing voice. |
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