Who has/had the best voice of any female singers?

[borlis]

I vote for Ann Wilson of Heart. I sure wish I could sing like that.

[LeftyMom]

1. Unlike most people

she sounds as good live as recorded. Seems like that's not true of many people anymore.

[borlis]

2. You are so right.

I think someone called it "manufactured talent." So many of the newer and younger stars can't sing at all. It's all about the marketing.

[jpgray]

3. Rita Lee is awesome. So is Nina Simone.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

86. Nina. awesome. I also like Beth Gibbons. PJ Harvey. Sinead. too many

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

4. Karen Carpenter

--I don't care what anybody says- she ruled!

(Now it's Mary Black.) http://www.mary-black.net/

[borlis]

5. She had an awesome voice.n/t

[RevolutionaryActs]

6. What genre?

Some of my choices.

Ann Wilson.
Annie Lennox.
Etta James.
Billie Holiday.
Karen Carpenter.
Cyndi Lauper.
Aretha Franklin.
Peggy Lee.
Nina Simone.
Sarah Mclachlan.
Dolores O'Riordan (lead singer for The Cranberries).
Chrissie Hynde.
Joan Baez.



To name a few. :7

[borlis]

8. I forgot Whitney Houston. She HAD a great voice

I think her voice is history because of all of her drug abuse. I watched a few minutes of Being Bobby Brown (pathetic) here and there and her voice is so raspy and hoarse.

[RevolutionaryActs]

10. I forgot Natalie Maines, from The Dixie Chicks.

She has a great voice too. :)

[Catch22Dem]

7. Ann Wilson's a good choice

I always thought Linda Perry sounded good. Johnette Napolitano from Concrete Blonde has a killer rock-n-roll voice too.

[bridgit]

13. there it is, Napolitano also on same pedestal imo...

:thumbsup:

[NoSheep]

9. Neko Case is a new favorite. Here are my other picks:

Alanis Morissette
Anita Baker
Carmen McRae
Gillian Welch
Lucinda Williams
Billie Holiday
Alga Mae Hinton
Joan Baez
Maria Muldaur

They're all good!

[Zookeeper]

95. I like Neko Case when she sings with...

The New Pornographers. She really belts!

However, I haven't liked her solo work as much...maybe it's too country/folk for me?

[NoSheep]

100. I also prefer her with them. However, when I first heard the solo

stuff, I really didn't like it. But now it is growing on me.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

11. Ella Fitzgerald

:D

[BlueJazz]

80. I love You.

[tuvor]

12. Wanda Jackson

"Her voice, a wild fluttering thing of sexy subtleties and sudden harshnesses, feral feline purrings and raving banshee shriekings, was a vulgar wonder to hear." --Gene Sculatti, "Catalog of Cool"

[donheld]

14. Barbra Streisand

Like butta! :bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce:

[speedoo]

15. My list. by genre:

Gospel: Mahalia Jackson*
Soul: Aretha Franklin*, Etta James
Blues: Nina Simone, Billie Holliday*
Soft Pop: Sade*
Rock: Chrissie Hynde*, Janis Joplin
Pop: Christine McVie, Annie Lennox, Ella Fitzgerald*, Joni Mitchell
Folk: Joan Baez*, Judy Collins
Bluegrass/Country: Patsy Cline*, Gillian Welch, Alison Krauss, Natalie Maines, EmmyLou Harris

* - best in genre

Honorable Mention: Diana Ross, Barbara Sreisand, Ronnie Spector, Gladys Knight, Peggy Lee, Linda Ronstadt (added, on edit): Nanci Griffith

[Faygo Kid]

59. Very thoughtful, and uniformly good choices

I am into how a song is sung (e.g., Fitzgerald, Sinatra) so I would throw Rosemary Clooney, Doris Day and Paula Cole in there somewhere.

[speedoo]

61. Thankyou.

And I certainly agree with you. But, may I ask... who is Paula Cole?

Also along the lines of your additions, would you agree that Diana Krall and Natalie Merchant would be good adds?

[Faygo Kid]

62. Yep. Great choices.

I will throw in Grace Slick, too. Saw Paula Cole live years ago. Smooth. "Where Have All the Cowboys Gone" is one of her best known.

http://www.paulacole.com/

[speedoo]

65. I keep thinking of more.

How about Ricki Lee Jones, Michelle Shocked, Dar Williams, Sheryl Crow, Patti Smith and Norah Jones?

Grace Slick could certainly belt it out. But the older I get, the more bad stuff I hear about her.

Here's a link you might find interesting... click on "Essential Songs" down at the bottom of the left hand side:

http://www.wfuv.org/

[Left Is Write]

63. Alison Krauss has a beautiful, clear, pure-sounding voice.

It's wonderful to listen to.

[speedoo]

66. Absolutely.

I assume you've heard her duet with Gillian Welsh.. "Fly Away" is the name of it, I think. Pure bliss.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

75. Whoops....Wrong place. (NT)

[lpbk2713]

79. Good list

I particularly like Gladys Knight and EmmyLou and Streisand

Always liked Marilyn McCoo from the 5th Dimension too.

[Common Sense Party]

16. I always liked Pat Benatar.

[Scout]

84. one more vote for Pat Benatar ... I like kd lang too! n/t

[Haole Girl]

17. Judy Garland

I had this discussion with an older lady, a few years ago. She thought it was Judy Garland. I've thought about it for a few years and I believe she was right. Judy Garland's voice was one of a kind. Though, I enjoyed Karen Carpenter's, too.

[murielm99]

18. I liked Karen Carpenter, too.

I loved Janis Joplin. I like Susan Tedeschi, whom I have heard live.

Etta James used to have a huge, beautiful voice. I have some of her music. She does not sound that great in her recent albums, unfortunately. But she is still a great lady.

[Robeson]

19. I love Beth Orton's voice....

...but I love many others, too.

[Autonomy]

20. Janis Joplin.

[sfdiva]

24. agreed

Janis has a great and amazing voice

[ET Awful]

44. Yup.

That was my first thought as well.

[livetohike]

47. The best - hands down-no contest

My high school choir director said so back in 1968. He also said that if she continued to use her voice in that manner - she would lose it :-(. She had a tremendous range. Also, there is no one alive today who sings with that passion.

[Broken_Hero]

21. easy

hands down, Sarah McLachlan...:)

[sfdiva]

31. agreed

yes!

[Carla in Ca]

22. Dinah Washington

n/t

[Syrinx]

23. Alison Krauss has a beautiful, haunting voice

I'm not sure I spelled her name right, but what a pretty voice.

[Richardo]

46. This is the correct response

:thumbsup:

[Syrinx]

90. what a cute puppy!

My dog isn't nearly as pretty, but I love him anyway. :)

[Broken_Hero]

56. Its spelled right(i think!)

She got me hooked on country, and Union Station, damn those are some very talented musicians...

[Syrinx]

91. I heard that her father was one of the students killed at Kent State

I don't know if that's true though.

[Redneck Socialist]

68. My pick too

Some Alison eye candy...

[Syrinx]

92. quite attractive too

She lost a lot of weight. Seems like when big singers lose a lot of weight, their voices don't seem as powerful. But hers is just as great as ever.

Hello fellow "redneck socialist." :hi:

[Alexodin]

25. For me its Aretha and nobody in 2nd place.

[sfdiva]

26. What about ...

Sarah Mclachlan, Jewel, and Dido..

Their voices are very soothing and unique in their own way

[Sugar Smack]

27. Annie Lennox is the best

in my opinion. I could listen to "Would I Lie to You" over & over.

[In_The_Wind]

28. I was already planning to bring her along for our trip.

[Sugar Smack]

29. YES! oh please do please please!

This is the absolute voice of woman's independence!!

:bounce: :yourock: :pals: You're like a mind reader, Joani!

[In_The_Wind]

30. We need to make a list of CDs for the trip.

I can't believe summer is almost here!

[Sugar Smack]

33. Yes- and I already have some picked out.

I've got my clothes selected, my books, and ideas for the basket of goodies, dearest! When I get my last check, that's when I'll get a new camera, be satisfied & ready to head west.



:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[In_The_Wind]

34. How much longer will you be gainfully employed?

Or are you already keeping Sophie company 24/7 ?

[Sugar Smack]

35. Weeeeeeeell..

I am out of work, but I'm supposed to get a year's severance pay. I haven't seen it yet, but please wish me luck, girl. It'll go a way in helping us with gas.

:pals: :pals: :pals: :pals: :pals: :pals:

[In_The_Wind]

39. don't worry! supper good vibes on the way ~~~~~~~~~

I'm sure the delay is just a banking/paperwork/legal type of thing. Did your former employer give you any indication of how long you'd have to wait? BTW ~ I didn't invite you along to split the expenses. :pals::hug:

[Sugar Smack]

45. Oh, shit! Joani, I totally LOVE you.

More than words can say.:loveya: :hug: :pals: More than any words.

[Monk06]

32. Bjork

[Bear down under]

36. Kathleen Ferrier

n/t

[tjwmason]

37. Emma Kirkby.

Her voice is starting to get a little old for her usual repertoire now.

[Zookeeper]

94. I listened to her quite often a few years ago....

but haven't heard anything recent.

Has her voice really changed that much?

[tjwmason]

96. Not too dramatically.

But she's not getting any younger, and her style was very much for a purity of sound which is what starts to fade with age.

[Heidi]

38. Today, I say Jennifer Warnes.

Here she is, covering to Leonard Cohen's "First We Take Manhattan."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g17SZv5KR7g&search=%22First%20We%20Take%20Manhattan%22

[khashka]

40. KaTe Bush

Diamanda Galas. Annie Lennox. And yes, Ann Wilson.

And always and forever - Janis Joplin.


Khash.

[donheld]

41. k d lang is awsome too

:loveya:

[Calliope]

42. Can you tell I'm a Broadway nerd?

In no particular order

Barbara Cook, Patti LuPone, Donna Murphy, Marin Mazzie, Audra McDonald, Maria Friedman, Lauren Molina

[Ivan Sputnik]

43. Eva Cassidy

Who was she?

http://evacassidy.org/eva/

[kwassa]

50. incredible singer, died way too young

[qnr]

48. Don't know about 'best' - but I always enjoyed Rickie Lee Jones voice n/t

[StellaBlue]

49. Aretha n/t

[kwassa]

51. Aretha is the singer of singers

[maveric]

70. Yes!

One of the most powerful voices ever.

[noonwitch]

52. Annie Lenox

She has an amazing voice.

[Lucy - Claire]

53. Annie Lennox....

Also...Gladys Knight, Charlotte Church, Kate Bush, Alison Moyet, Katie Melua, Diana Krall, Carole King, Dionne Warwick,
Joss Stone, Aretha Frankiln, Nina Simone and Minnie Ripeton

[frogmarch]

54. Mary Dillon

of the Irish group Deanta is my favorite female vocalist. Here's a clip of her singing "The Lakes of Pontchartrain," from the Deanta album "Ready for the Storm."

Song clip

[Phillycat]

55. Oh, please. Ella Fitzgerald.

Followed by Aretha Franklin, of course.

[Faygo Kid]

57. Agreed. Know how to sing a song; actually Doris Day was good too

I cover my ears everytime a Celine Dion - Mariah Carey - American Idol type who has no clue about what they're singing just use it to show off their pipes.

[Zookeeper]

93. Horrible. Painful. Ghastly.

Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and all the others who confuse overwrought bellowing with singing. If you want your drama to sound dramatic, you have to throw a little quiet subtlety in for contrast.

I can listen happily to punk screaming, but the bellowers you mentioned really make my ears hurt.

[SacredCow]

103. Agreed all around...

I can not abide the American Idol kind of sound at all.

[mvd]

58. I always say it's a tie

Between Aretha Franklin and Patsy Cline. They are different, but affect me equally.

[Onlooker]

60. Aretha Franklin and Annie Lennox

Though Janis Joplin, Sarah Vaughn, and Ella Fitzgerald deserve honorable mention.

[PassingFair]

71. Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves! Aretha and Annie...

Bought the Eurythmics tape at a garage sale last weekend.

That duet ROCKS!!!!

[hippiechick]

64. Anita Baker, kd lang, Sarah Vaughn

n/t

[greendog]

67. Sandy Denny

[NoSheep]

101. How could I not have mentioned her?? Thanks for reminding me!

[newcriminal]

69. No one has mentioned my favorite

Tracy Chapman, I will always love her. I really like Annie Lennox also.

[PassingFair]

72. She is mesmerizing, Newcriminal....

her voice is as distinctive as Patsy Cline's.

[dysfunctional press]

73. the chick from Flunk is my current fave...Anja Øyen Vister

natalie merchant or johnette napolitano are both good too.

[Guava Jelly]

74. Chrissie Hynes

Pretenders...
I just love that group.
Chick singers rock

[SlavesandBulldozers]

88. i believe its Hynde.

you may want to check out PJ Harvey, especially "Stories from the City Stories from the Sea" and "Uh Huh Her"

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

76. Cecilia Bartoli.

[Catchawave]

77. Cyndi Lauper

Have always enjoyed her performances.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

87. awesome voice.

[Flaxbee]

78. I've gotta add Bonnie Raitt

Her voice is gorgeous. I also really like kd lang and Sarah McLachlan.

Koko Taylor was great, Etta James is great and Aretha just has such power it is amazing.

[diamondsndust]

81. Stevie Nicks, hands down.... n/t

[amerikat]

82. Madelyn Peyroux

Lucinda Williams
Tanita Tikeram
Tish Hinojosa
Jane sibbery
Dar Williams
Mama Cass Elliot

[wizdum]

83. Mary J. Blige........n/t

[wiggs]

85. Jane Monheit deserves mention....jazz beauty, amazing voice. nt

[Janice325]

89. I can't believe no one has mentioned Enya.

Actually, I think there are lots: Enya, Linda Rondstadt, Karen Carpenter (I loved her! RIP :cry:), Annie Lennox, Natalie Merchant, Bonnie Raitt, Chrissie Hynde, the late, great Cass Elliot, Ann Wilson, Janis Siegel (of Manhattan Transfer-she's the short one), Norah Jones, Julie Andrews, Patti Lupone, Jennifer Warnes, Melba Moore (when she was in her prime).
Those are the ones I could think of off the top of my head.

[lpbk2713]

104. Mama Cass!

Shame on me for not thinking of her!

[Robbie Michaels]

97. Margo Timmins of Cowboy Junkies

[wildhorses]

98. what about Linda Ronstadt or

Enya
also Delores O'Reardon (sp) of Cranberries
Norah Jones
Nicolette Larson
Joni Mtichell
JJ

[nuxvomica]

99. Of all times and genres, probably Marian Anderson

But in popular music, I'd say Judy Collins.

[SacredCow]

102. Harriet Wheeler from the Sundays...

Followed closely by Margo Timmins from Cowboy Junkies.

I seem to like those that step to the beat of a different drummer....

[Done]

105. Judy Collins n/t

[Frank Cannon]

106. Tossup between Patsy Cline, Karen Carpenter, and Dusty Springfield

Judging from some of the posts on this board, you'd think Western Civilization started 10 years ago.

[RedStateShame]

107. Francois Hardy

A striking beauty with a haunting voice of gorgeous melodies. She makes me want to learn French.