Favorote Female Singers...Who's Yours?

[Dnn111]

Mine are:

Aretha Franklin (the best R&B female singer ever!)
Whitney Houston
Bessie Smith
Billie Holiday
Erykah Badu
Mary J. Blige
Etta James
Toni Braxton
Mariah Carey
Nina Simone
Lauryn Hill

does Ashanti deserve to be on anybody (who knows music's) list?

[v-unit]

I'm still going to stick with Christina Aguilara, even thuogh everyone thinks shes made in the studio, which she isn't.

[i seen hippos]

Apparently only black women can sing well...

[KNOW1EDGE]

Mary J
Alicia Keys
Regina Spektor

[B-Low]

I'm still going to stick with Christina Aguilara, even thuogh everyone thinks shes made in the studio, which she isn't.

Christina to me is the most underrated/undeservingly hated on female singer in recent memory. She has talent and to me she has one of the top 3 singing voices of any young female singer out right now. She's gettin into that territory where just because of her lifestyle outside of music people say "ew no not christina she can't sing she's nasty". I really don't know what those poeple are hearing because she really is amazing.

[v-unit]

Not only that B-Low, but she isn't even in the same scene as Britney. She isn't on the news EVER about using drugs, parting, staying up late or lip singing. She is never capturing negative attention, only from regular people around the world that THINK she is another Britney, Lindsey etc.

[B-Low]

right. christina got pregnant and then stopped everything. You havent seen her partying, you haven't seen her doing anything inappropriate. People go too much based on what she used to do during one bad stretch.

Only thing people try to pull out now is that nude shoot she did when she got pregnant saying its inappropriate. Completely ignoring the fact that when moms like Demi Moore did it they said "oh how beautiful, showing the female body in such an artistic way"

[v-unit]

****-ers, all of them.

Fiona Apple had some songs I liked, but she was too soft for me (Across the Universe was nice)

[KNOW1EDGE]

Christina to me is the most underrated/undeservingly hated on female singer in recent memory. She has talent and to me she has one of the top 3 singing voices of any young female singer out right now. She's gettin into that territory where just because of her lifestyle outside of music people say "ew no not christina she can't sing she's nasty". I really don't know what those poeple are hearing because she really is amazing.

She does too much weird stuff with her voice, over-the-top, un-necesary moans and groans. And her voice is a product of great studio equipment. Shes not too good live.

That being said, this is one of the most intoxicating songs i have ever heard. Not to mention Christina is looking hotter than any woman ever in this video.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=mLEkk7Eb_jI&feature=related

[v-unit]

Are you kidding me KNOW1EDGE? I clearly just wrote about how people missinterpret her voice for being fake. She is amazing live, go look up any song, a good example is 'Beautiful' Song is amazing.

[B-Low]

She does too much weird stuff with her voice, over-the-top, un-necesary moans and groans. And her voice is a product of great studio equipment. Shes not too good live.

That being said, this is one of the most intoxicating songs i have ever heard. Not to mention Christina is looking hotter than any woman ever in this video.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=mLEkk7Eb_jI&feature=related

I'll admit she does a lot of unnecessary moans and groans but no more than Beyonce and Mariah Carey do.

And ive heard the exact opposite from everyone i know whos heard her in concert or other live performances. They all said she sounds just as good

[KNOW1EDGE]

I'll admit she does a lot of unnecessary moans and groans but no more than Beyonce and Mariah Carey do.

And ive heard the exact opposite from everyone i know whos heard her in concert or other live performances. They all said she sounds just as good


I'll be honest, i have never heard her live. I will check it out though. I just always thought she was a product of good studio work. Never knew she had a pure voice. I will take you and V-Units word for it.(and peep some you-tube)

She has some really good vocals, and she is georgeus. I always thought she was a classy chick, not like Britney Spears or any of those hoes. I always thought she was on another level. Higher up.

She is hotter, classier and has a better voice.

[B-Low]

Beautiful Live with no music to open. She does a lot of the oooo's and aaaa's but you can tell she's legit

http://youtube.com/watch?v=jEmdn9G9hDo

[Dnn111]

Apparently only black women can sing well...


Eva Cassidy
Patsy Cline
Natalie Maines (of the Dixie Chicks)
Linda Ronstadt
Joni Mitchell
Trisha Yearwood


I also personally like Leann Rimes...

[B-Low]

Also shame you on Dnn for not putting my girl Alicia Keys on there lol

[Remix]

Lacey Mosley and Amy Lee.

[Aldridge Fan]

Charlyn "Chan" Marshall
PJ Harvey

[Suns4Life]

Norah Jones
Fiona Apple
Kelly Clarkson
Mariah
Lauryn Hill
That one ho that sings backup for Damien Rice

[SHEED_ gangsta]

kinda off topic but who's that woman singer that sings in those Pink Floyd songs? she has such a powerful voice

[DieHardBullsFan]

Whitney Houston (before the crack!)

[Aldridge Fan]

I forgot to mention PJ Harvey.

[KNOW1EDGE]

Norah Jones
Fiona Apple
Kelly Clarkson
Mariah
Lauryn Hill
That one ho that sings backup for Damien Rice

Do you meen Regina Spektor? She used to sing WITH, not back-up for Damien.

Now she has her own albums. And she is pretty successfull.

[starface]

Mine are:

Aretha Franklin (the best R&B female singer ever!)
Whitney Houston
Bessie Smith
Billie Holiday
Erykah Badu
Mary J. Blige
Etta James
Toni Braxton
Mariah Carey
Nina Simone
Lauryn Hill

does Ashanti deserve to be on anybody (who knows music's) list?


toni braxton and lauren hill as great singers??

this list is a pretty obvious attempt to just make the point that you think black women are the best singers

[starface]

right. christina got pregnant and then stopped everything. You havent seen her partying, you haven't seen her doing anything inappropriate. People go too much based on what she used to do during one bad stretch.

Only thing people try to pull out now is that nude shoot she did when she got pregnant saying its inappropriate. Completely ignoring the fact that when moms like Demi Moore did it they said "oh how beautiful, showing the female body in such an artistic way"


what does anything about how someone behaves have to do with where they rank as a singer? whitney houston is a crazy ass crackwhore and she's the GOAT

[InspiredLebowski]

Janis Joplin

[AyoForYayo]

Amy Lee.

[plowking]

Amy Winehouse
Whitney
Alicia Keys

[Lamar Doom]

JANIS JOPLIN















Aretha Franklin
Jenny Lewis
Macy Gray
Ella Fitzgerald
Nina Simone
Norah Jones
Emmy Lou Harris
Ditty Bops
Supremes

[chains5000]

Beth Gibbons

Check out some Portishead songs...

[ikoiko]

JANIS JOPLIN















Aretha Franklin
Jenny Lewis
Macy Gray
Ella Fitzgerald
Nina Simone
Norah Jones
Emmy Lou Harris
Ditty Bops
Supremes

oh Hellz no. I hate Janis Joplin's voice.
But aside from that. I think we all can agree that her body of work is not very impressive.

[elz]

toni braxton and lauren hill as great singers??

this list is a pretty obvious attempt to just make the point that you think black women are the best singers


That fact you pointed that out is a problem

Title in this thread is favorite
everyone has a right to their own preference
that's all Im sayin


me personally I like Alicia Keys

[Dnn111]

toni braxton and lauren hill as great singers??

this list is a pretty obvious attempt to just make the point that you think black women are the best singers


I do not judge people. Their skin color never crossed my mind. All types of females can sing. The greatest female country singer is Patsy Cline.

NOTE: I LOVE EVERYBODY...even if you hate me, I love you!!!

[Dasher]

Dasher's Six-Pack
1.Minnie Ripperton
2.Roberta Flack
3.Aretha
4.Etta James
5.Stevie Nicks
6.Sarah Vaughn

Honorable Mentions: Allison Krauss, Billie Holliday, Mariah Carey, Lauren Hill, and T-Boz

[shaoyut]

rihanna

[playtetris]

Charlyn "Chan" Marshall


cosign, i came in here to post that. chan has the smokiest, sexiest, contemporary blues voice.
she is gorgeous to boot, as well. i managed to get a hug out of her when she performed down here a few years ago. i was massively drunk, talking immense sh*t: she must've thought i was a lunatic :lol

also cosign on minnie riperton, nina simone, alicia keys, beth gibbons.

[Qwyjibo]

Leslie Feist
Amy Millan
Miki Berenyi (from Lush)
Georgia Hubley (from Yo La Tengo)

[KNOW1EDGE]

rihanna

F@G

[ikoiko]

Dasher's Six-Pack
1.Minnie Ripperton
2.Roberta Flack
3.Aretha
4.Etta James
5.Stevie Nicks
6.Sarah Vaughn

Honorable Mentions: Allison Krauss, Billie Holliday, Mariah Carey, Lauren Hill, and T-Boz

solid list.

[Dasher]

Dasher's Lucky 7
1.Minnie Ripperton
2.Mavis Staples
3.Roberta Flack
4.Aretha
5.Etta James
6.Stevie Nicks
7.Sarah Vaughn

Honorable Mentions: Allison Krauss, Billie Holliday, Mariah Carey, Lauren Hill, and T-Boz

I watched WattStax the other day, and had my memory jogged about the greatness of Mavis.

[LJJ]

Carole King mentioned yet?

95% of these soul singers are overrated like hell. Aretha Franklin? Mavis Staples?
Eh, not impressed sorry. The new ones like Alicia Keys are even worse.

[Dasher]

Carole King mentioned yet?

95% of these soul singers are overrated like hell. Aretha Franklin? Mavis Staples?
Eh, not impressed sorry. The new ones like Alicia Keys are even worse.
Aretha and Mavis were/are powerhouses live. Carole King's voice was/is okay, but nothing special. It's thin and lacks personality.

[Lebron23]

1. Whitney Houston
2. Mariah Carey
3. Mandy Moore and Rihanna
4. Ashanti
5. Janet Jackson
6. Amy Lee
7. Alicia Keys
8. Hilary Duff and Lindsay Lohan
9. Tamia ( Wife of Grant Hill)
10. Vanessa Anne Hudgens

[LJJ]

The difference is that Carole King is an actual songwriter: she understands what she is doing with her voice on a musical level.

Aretha Franklin really doesn' t understand what she is doing, and I can hear the difference. Technically a great voice, musically? no.

[Dasher]

The difference is that Carole King is an actual songwriter: she understands what she is doing with her voice on a musical level.

Aretha Franklin really doesn' t understand what she is doing, and I can hear the difference. Technically a great voice, musically? no.
Mavis and Aretha were/are songwriters as well. I now doubt your ear. Aretha has been singing at a high level for 4 decades, and according to you she does not know what she is doing. GTFO

[LJJ]

No they weren't. Maybe they have some writing credits for a line they put in on some filler tracks, but they certainly weren't prolific songwriters, composers and instrumentalists. Not at all.

[Dasher]

No they weren't. Maybe they have some writing credits for a line they put in on some filler tracks, but they certainly weren't prolific songwriters, composers and instrumentalists. Not at all.
Yes they were. Mavis plays multiple instruments, and Aretha is proficient on the piano.

[LJJ]

Yes they were. Mavis plays multiple instruments, and Aretha is proficient on the piano.

So tell me this:

Since they are such amazing composers, songwriters and intrumentalists, how come 95% of their well known songs are written by other people?

[Dasher]

So tell me this:

Since they are such amazing composers, songwriters and intrumentalists, how come 95% of their well known songs are written by other people?
Because their labels wanted to push the covers they made. A great singer can make any song sound good. Carole King is a great song writer, but other singers sing her songs wayyyy better than she can.

[Kings_Alex]

leona lewis

[BrooklynZoo]

why does ashanti get so much mention on this site? is she even a good singer? she never stood out as one to me.

[Dasher]

does Ashanti deserve to be on anybody (who knows music's) list?
No she does not.

[MarloStanfield]

Santogold
M.I.A
Kim Deal
Amanda Blank
Jean Grae
Blondie
Madonna
Alicia Keys
Cyndi Lauper
Roberta Flack
Valerie Carter

To name a few off the dome.

[qwerty]

Santogold
M.I.A
Kim Deal
Amanda Blank
Jean Grae
Blondie
Madonna
Alicia Keys
Cyndi Lauper
Roberta Flack
Valerie Carter

To name a few off the dome.

Jean Grae is a singer??

[Jackass18]

Aretha Franklin really doesn' t understand what she is doing, and I can hear the difference. Technically a great voice, musically? no.

Why would anyone doubt Aretha? She stepped in at the last minute to sing for Pavarotti and she had only 8 minutes to prepare. http://afgen.com/aretha.html

[MarloStanfield]

Jean Grae is a singer??
We're not allowed to list rappers?

[qwerty]

We're not allowed to list rappers?


My guess is no, since the topic clearly says "Favorote Female Singers...Who's Yours?"

[MarloStanfield]

My guess is no, since the topic clearly says "Favorote Female Singers...Who's Yours?"
Oh didn't know you were on duty today, ma bad.

[LJJ]

Because their labels wanted to push the covers they made. A great singer can make any song sound good. Carole King is a great song writer, but other singers sing her songs wayyyy better than she can.


:roll:
That is just ignorance.


And Yeah.

It's all a big conspiracy because the world just wassn't ready for Aretha's fantastic songwriting skills. Been hangin out with Doomsday lately?

[KeylessEntry]

I like that girl from zero 7. Also fiest is okay, she reminds me of my sister so I can listen to her. Its funny though, I have a collection of 650 albums and maybe 25 of them are female artists.

[Dasher]

:roll:
That is just ignorance.


And Yeah.

It's all a big conspiracy because the world just wassn't ready for Aretha's fantastic songwriting skills. Been hangin out with Doomsday lately?
Read the first sentence of her wikipedia profile:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aretha_Franklin
Her most well known songs aren't the ones she wrote because she writes mostly gospel songs.

Aretha's Natural Woman craps on the original.

[LJJ]

Read the first sentence of her wikipedia profile:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aretha_Franklin
Her most well known songs aren't the ones she wrote because she writes mostly gospel songs.

Aretha's Natural Woman craps on the original.

Yeah, Wikipedia is really going to prove me wrong on her not being a premier songwriter. :ohwell:

And really? I love gospel, my favorite gospel artist is probably Alex Bradford.
Never heard anything by Aretha worht mentioning though.


I strongly disagree on the last bit. It lacks real emotions and sounds mostly like an exercise.

[ikoiko]

The difference is that Carole King is an actual songwriter: she understands what she is doing with her voice on a musical level.

Aretha Franklin really doesn' t understand what she is doing, and I can hear the difference. Technically a great voice, musically? no.

i for one accept your argument that aretha et al are not proficient songwriters... but:

the argument that only the original songwriter can understand what they're doing strikes me as an extremely weird one. do you mean that only the songwriter can understand what the song means and therefore is the one who's rendition is the "right" one? that can't be it, can it? cause that would just be idiotic.

please explain further.

[Dasher]

Aretha wrote this: Ain't No Way (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-WoC9RfuoU)

[LJJ]

i for one accept your argument that aretha et al are not proficient songwriters... but:

the argument that only the original songwriter can understand what they're doing strikes me as an extremely weird one. do you mean that only the songwriter can understand what the song means and therefore is the one who's rendition is the "right" one? that can't be it, can it? cause that would just be idiotic.

please explain further.

No, my argument is that a lot of these technically very blessed singers don't have a trained understanding of music, merely basic instinct
.
They try to do their own thing with the song, but in every improvisation and addition to a song you still have got to stay true to the basic musical structure and properties of the song.
Most don't know how to do that, they can't explain what they are doing, they just take the song and wing it from there, singing the song the way they think sounds impressive without any real foundation.

It's like someone who is terrific with a calculator but doesn't really understand math.

[ikoiko]

No, my argument is that a lot of these technically very blessed singers don't have a trained understanding of music, merely basic instinct
.
They try to do their own thing with the song, but in every improvisation and addition to a song you still have got to stay true to the basic musical structure and properties of the song.
Most don't know how to do that, they can't explain what they are doing, they just take the song and wing it from there, singing the song the way they think sounds impressive without any real foundation.

It's like someone who is terrific with a calculator but doesn't really understand math.

ok. i completely agree with this, but i don't know if i would include aretha franklin as one of those singers. haven't listened to any aretha in a few years.

[Dasher]

No, my argument is that a lot of these technically very blessed singers don't have a trained understanding of music, merely basic instinct
.
They try to do their own thing with the song, but in every improvisation and addition to a song you still have got to stay true to the basic musical structure and properties of the song.
Most don't know how to do that, they can't explain what they are doing, they just take the song and wing it from there, singing the song the way they think sounds impressive without any real foundation.

It's like someone who is terrific with a calculator but doesn't really understand math.
This post assumes that singers, who did not write the song have no idea on how to make a song great. Improvisation is a honed skill, and not everyone can do it. Note:Carole King is not proficient at it. Singing is not only about technical ability, feel is just as important, and lumping Aretha in with singers who do not understand basic song structure is laughable.

[LJJ]

This post assumes that singers, who did not write the song have no idea on how to make a song great. Improvisation is a honed skill, and not everyone can do it. Note:Carole King is not proficient at it. Singing is not only about technical ability, feel is just as important, and lumping Aretha in with singers who do not understand basic song structure is laughable.

that's exactly what I am talking about. Singing is not just technical ability ( the part Franklin is great at), it's also feel.

[Dasher]

that's exactly what I am talking about. Singing is not just technical ability ( the part Franklin is great at), it's also feel.
Which she is also great at. The technical part is song writing, staying in pitch, keeping the correct tone, production etc. Aretha has had a hand in songwriting and production since the 60's.

[LJJ]

Which she is also great at. The technical part is song writing and production, which Aretha has had a strong hand in since the 60's. You are using the terms incorrectly.

Technical ability also know as "How many octaves can you sing?"
Feel also know as "Do you understand how to truly express yourself"

But I realise my English is not on the level of most native speakers.

[LJJ]

Oh and yes. I do know I am very snobbish when it comes to music. :D

[RoseCity07]

This a great song by Carole King that I heard the other day and found on Youtube. This isn't exactly a song I expect people of my generation to praise, but man, artists today just don't compare.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70U47cNi7sA

I love this for some reason.

[talkingconch]

a lot but i'll say ellie goulding

[ROCSteady]

Stevie Nicks (bad b!tch, part of my childhood)
Beth Gibbons (such a vulernability, old school)
Erykah Badu (unique artistic soul)
Carole King (well rounded wonder)
Adele (the new thang)
Karen Carpenter's skinny a$$ (refelction of my inner corny woman)
Christina Aguilera (mad range)
Mary J (great work in hip-hop)

[L.Kizzle]

Hmm, has Ruth Brown been mentioned.

[PowerGlove]

Alicia Keys
Lauryn Hill
Mariah Carey
Anita Baker
Stephanie Mills
Toni Braxton
Monica
Brandy

[Lebowsky]

Off the top of my head:

Gianna Nanninni
Chavela Vargas
Aretha Franklin
Julie Andrews
Sharleen Spliteri from the band Texas
Julieta Venegas
Eleanor Jackson from the band La Roux
Laetitia Sadier from the band Stereolab
Janis Joplin
Edith Piaf
Claudine longet
Blondie
Justin Bieber

[RaininThrees]

Stevie Nicks is up there for me for sure. Such an amazing, distinctive voice, IMO.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l35pI8QQPtA

Also a big fan of Dolores O'Riordan.

Zombie is such a wicked track. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ejga4kJUts

[Lebowsky]

Stevie Nicks is up there for me for sure. Such an amazing, distinctive voice, IMO.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l35pI8QQPtA

Wow, hadn't listened to that song in ages, thanks for posting. Stevie Nicks is more than a singer, she's a performer. Oh, and Joan Baez deserves a mention in this thread too.

[Jailblazers7]

The ones I've been listening to the most recently:

Joni Mitchell
Badu
Monae
Adele

[Mr. Grieves]

-Janis Joplin
-Karen O
-Brody Dalle
-Patsy Cline
-Stevie Nicks
-Amy Winehouse
-Bonnie Raitt
-Sinead O'Connor
-The Cranberries b!tch
-Feist
-Florece, Florence and the Machine
-Flyleaf b!tch
-Jefferson's Airplane hoe
-La Roux
-MIA
-Emily Haines
-Nelly Furtado
-Gwen Stefani (No doubt days)
-Pat Benatar
-Yael Naim

Some are not the best technically, or do not have the range/power compared to like a Christina Aguilera, but they're music is actually good.

[Jailblazers7]

Not going back through the whole thread but I hope its been mentioned that Bjork is the shit.

[rosonviyavong]

Aaliyah is my pick ..idk something about her voice I always liked

[Jasper]

Smoothest voice you all never heard of , but in the folk industry is soulful , is the LATE : Kate Wolf
Hands down the silkiest voice I ever heard , and have several records.

---------------
Then I need to say #2 is Lynda Ronstadt for being versatile

And my #3 is Brandy - not for her albums , but singing jazz songs that were never recorded (just a shame)

[El Kabong]

Some of my favs off the top of my head

Karen Carpenter
Cher
Suzanne Vega
Emily Haines
Milla Jovovich
KD Lang
Sarah Blasko

[Harion]

Katy Perry, Rihanna, Colbie Caillat, Regina Spektor

[RoTM]

Nina Persson from the Cardigans.
Janelle Monae is really impressive. I think I like Metropolis more then the feature album.
Lucia Cifarelli from kmfdm, I have to mention as she got me into looking into female bands.
Karen O from the yeah yeah yeahs, she gets the maximum out of what she has to work with voice wise imo.

[Thorpesaurous]

I love female singers. And I really dig a ton of mainstream chick singers. Amy Winehouse for example I listen to all the time, and all of the chicks that popped up in her wake, like Duffy. And I'm a big Jazz and Blues fan, so I'm plenty into the Besse Smith type Jazz vocalists too, even though I generally listen to more blue instrumental Jazz. Of the more odd variety, due to my taste for alternative rock, garage band, and somewhat punk inclinations:

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde.
Tomorrow Wendy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nH-ymAsYIXk&playnext=1&list=PL88780EE268BAF760

Linda Perry of 4 Non-Blondes.

Rachel Nagy of The Detroit Cobras.


Not really in my Alt wheelhouse, but these two are unreal:

Over the Rhine's Karen Bergquest (This vid looks like those old Will Farrell SNL music teacher at the prom bits, but her voice is rediculous).
Hallellujah:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbZVzultvFs


Allison Crow: Same song as above. This is a powerfull voice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIMOdVXAPJ0

[Nevaeh]

Tina Marie
Anita Baker
Jill Scott (she killed it with "My Love")
Mary J Blidge (Not a great singer, but her production is usually on point)
Aaliyah (Again, not a great singer, but her beats had a unique flair to them)


Beyonce has never been a good singer, even on her best day. Who ever writes her songs has her doing vocal gymnastics that she's simply not strong enough to handle, or are out her voice octave range.

[PowerGlove]

LOL @ Mary J Blige not being a great singer.

[Eat Like A Bosh]

Christina Aguilera
Whitney Houston
Alicia Keys
Lady Gaga

But honestly I don't know many of the chicks on your list.

[Vragrant]

I like laid back sultry females. My favourites

Laetitia Sadier (Stereolab)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsaPv0pnWGQ

Ivy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FZcC5jh7XQ&feature=related

Trish Keenen (Broadcast)

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

Aaliyah

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B0_RW5oSI4


and of course the queen: Sade

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRFmnAw1siY

[ILLsmak]

Lisa Hannigan...

-Smak

[Kobe 4 The Win]

Fiona Apple and it's not even close

Great voice? Check
Great lyrics? Check
Hot as f**k? Check

[Raz]

Fiona Apple and it's not even close

Great voice? Check
Great lyrics? Check
Hot as f**k? Check

Good choice.

Mine is Heather Nova. Love her voice, love her writing, and she's okay to look at as well.

[Kobe 4 The Win]

Good choice.

Mine is Heather Nova. Love her voice, love her writing, and she's okay to look at as well.

:cheers: