Who are your top ten female vocalists of all time?

[hellbound-liberal]

The recent post about Karen Carpenter and several Christmas albums that I have been listening to have got me to wondering how my favorite female vocalists match up with others. Here is my list in no particular order other than the order in which they came to mind. Who made your list?

1. Karen Carpenter
2. Linda Ronstadt
3. Sissel Kyrkjebo
4. Linda Eder
5. Sarah Brightman
6. Ella Fitzgerald
7. Mary Chapin Carpenter
8. Ann Wilson
9. Eva Cassidy
10. Natalie Merchant

[WinkyDink]

1. NON-opera? All-righty then:

1. Dusty Springfield
2. Etta James
3. Janis Joplin
4. Connie Francis
5. Ronnie Spector
6. Brenda Lee
7. Petula Clark
8. Celine Dion
9. Patsy Cline
10.Amy Winehouse

[hellbound-liberal]

14. I've never heard Amy Winehouse but I've heard a lot about her.

I'll have to check her out! Petula Clark was one of my early faves and Dusty Springfield wuld probably be in my top twenty at least.

[WinkyDink]

79. Youtube link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFVM5pVTwkM

[Perry Logan]

2. So many! Aretha, Bjork, Kate Bush, Laura Nyro...

[hellbound-liberal]

15. I love Aretha too.Such a versatile singer. Whatever happened to Bjork?

[Perry Logan]

78. I don't know what Bjork is up to. Frankly, I'm afraid to ask.

[Jade Fox]

3. Annie Lennox n/t

[Faygo Kid]

11. I forgot to put her on my list.

She's definitely a favorite.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

4. Nina Simone, Pat Barber, Joan Baez

:hi:

[hellbound-liberal]

16. Wow, Joan Baez is such a talented artist. She is definitely one of my favorite performers

I love the fact that she dedicates herself to supporting good causes.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. In no particular order:

Anna Moffo, Birgit Nilssen, Cecilia Bartoli, Renata Tebaldi, Leontyne Price, Maria Callas, Kiri Te Kanawa, Kathleen Battle, Marilyn Horne, Elizabeth Schwartzkopf.

[hellbound-liberal]

17. That's an eclectic list too! I think I recognize some opera singers there.

They could have their own top ten!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

20. They are all opera singers. I am one of those oddballs who actually likes opera.

[MrsMatt]

37. Your list, but I'll trade

Maria Jette for Anna Moffo, and Fredrica von Stade for Kathy Battle.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

46. Oh, I forgot about von Stade. She's splendid.

[Faygo Kid]

6. Here's mine - a tad eclectic

1. Aretha Franklin
2. Ella Fitzgerald
3. Sarah Vaughan
4. Billie Holiday
5. Janis Joplin
6. Doris Day
7. Grace Slick
8. Judy Garland
9. Dolores O'Riordan
10. Patsy Cline

[EFerrari]

10. That's a great list. I forgot about Gracie. n/t

[hellbound-liberal]

18. I like many people on this list who didn't make my list

including Sarah Vaughan, Doris Day and Judy Garland. I also love Delores Riordan! She would be number 11 on my list!

[greendog]

7. Emmylou Harris

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_EGnvrFG65g&feature=related

[cloudbase]

8. Not ten, but these are right up there

Patsy Cline
Emmylou Harris
Helen Reddy
Linda Ronstadt
Lucinda Williams
The Forester Sisters
Kim Weston

[EFerrari]

9. Joni, Ella, Linda, Billy

[Whisp]

12. some of mine:

Annie Lennox
Janis Joplin
Chrisy Hynde
Aretha Franklin
Tina Turner
Carol King
Tracy Chapman
Sinead O'Connor
Stevie Nicks
the woman from Dead can Dance. Lisa? sorry, I forgot her name.

[hellbound-liberal]

19. Tracy Chapman and Carole King are two of my favorite female songwriters for sure!

Both of them are beautiful people who have a talent for expressing sentiments that are imprtant to me. Both would be in my top twenty.

[Richardo]

13. How about:

1) Alison Krauss
2) Chrissy Hynde
3) Neko Case
4) Linda Ronstadt
5) Annie Lennox
6) Nanci Griffith
7) Diana Krall
8) Cassandra Wilson
9) Ella Fitzgerald
10) Patsy Cline

[Whisp]

24. Cline's gotta be on my list too. Exceptional singer.

lots of really great names here.

[Va Lefty]

21. Tough list to compile

In no particular order:

1) Mary Chapin Carpenter
2) Carley Simon
3) Linda Ronstadt
4) Stevie Nicks
5) Joan Jett
6) Pat Benatar
7) Paulette Carlson
8) Michelle Phillps
9) Dionne Warwick
10) Natalie Maines

[hellbound-liberal]

27. Natalie Maines who, someone said, came out of the womb middle finger first, is definitely

one of my favorite female performers! I haven't heard a lot of her stuff but really like what I have heard. Good choice!

[Bennyboy]

22. Mine....

In no particular order

janis Joplin
Etta james
Aretha
Carolyn Wonderland
grace potter
Lucinda Williams
Alison krause
Billie Holiday
Ella Fitzgerald
EmmyLou Harris

[S n o w b a l l]

23. Agree to them all....but no mention of my favorite

KD Lang

Probably my all time favorite.

[hellbound-liberal]

28. KD Lang is an amazing singer, so underappreciated in my opinion

She is definitely in my top 20!

[Richardo]

56. Good call

I would have put kd on my list.

[xchrom]

25. i would repeat some others -- but -- thelma houston and phylis hymen -- are two not yet mentioned.

oh big mama thornton too -- yikes -- bessie smith who could forget her?

[chknltl]

26. 13 ladies who have touched me vocally

Sabrina Rockarena (Punk band: "Cookie")
Dolorres Mary O'riordan Burton (Cranberries)
Julie Andrews (so gifted...so tragic)
Petula Clark (Please take me DOWNTOWN)
Julie London (That voice.....)
Dolly Parton (Perhaps the most beloved individual in America)
Gwen Stefani (THOSE LOOKS/THAT VOICE!!!)
Karen Carpenter (sp?)(:cry:)
Ann Wilson (the POWER!!!!)
Naiomi Beebe (Who can sing both Wilson Sisters under the table using their own songs!)(Nope you don't know her and that is truly one of our planet's losses)
Joan Baez (Joe Hill is still with us)
Juli Morgan (No she never sang a word for me...her Ibanez guitars ABSOLUTELY MOOOORE than sang to me though... Like Naiomi Beebe, another brilliant talent which the world never got the chance to experience)

An apology... With all the tremendous voices which have touched me over the last 50 years, I am ashamed that not a single black artist quickly popped into my mind as I was compiling this list, forgive me ladies.

[cordelia]

29. Here are mine, in no particular

Annie Lennox
Michelle Shocked
Edith Piaf
Nanci Griffith
Judy Collins
Joni Mitchell
Joan Baez
Natalie Merchant
Sinead O'Connor
Eva Cassidy

[hellbound-liberal]

30. I like your list Cordelia, never heard Michelle Shocked or Edith Piaf but the rest are all great

I especially like Nanci Griffith. Here she is with the Chieftains:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=vsj3ZYj7guU

[JCMach1]

47. Sinead circa 'Lion and the Cobra'

My God... Her voice could make wallpaper curl up and weep.

[cordelia]

58. Lion and the Cobra was

the first I'd heard about her. Bought the album on a whim, and was immediately enthralled. Have been since.

[JCMach1]

73. Her voice at exactly that moment in time... I believe she was pregnant

during most of the production was incredible...

Troy will ALWAYS send shivers down my spine... Also, it tweaks the English geek in me as well as I see it as an answer to Yeats' "No Second Troy"... Blew me away when I heard it...

[Jamastiene]

31. Deborah Harry, Joan Jett, and Courtney Love. n/t

Repeat if necessary.

:popcorn:

[hellbound-liberal]

33. Debbie Harry still sounds (and looks) good after 30 years!

I wonder how her new album went over.

[Jamastiene]

34. I loved it.

I'm still listening to it actually. I especially think "If I Had You" would make an excellent single from that album. It's a great song too. "Whiteout" rocks.

[Fire Walk With Me]

32. Non-opera, gotta have Kate Bush, Sinead O'Connor, Bjørk...

[terrya]

35. Mine...in no particular order

1) Barbra Streisand

2) Barbara Cook

3) Patsy Cline

4) Aimee Mann

5) Petula Clark

6) k.d. lang

7) Rosemary Clooney

8) Shirley Bassey

9) Diana Krall

10) Dusty Springfield

[Marrah_G]

36. Loreena MacKennitt

Voice of a Goddess...truly.

www.quinlanroad.com

[hellbound-liberal]

38. Loreena McKennitt is very spiritual to me. I've got 3 of her CDs.

I really like Book of Secrets with Mummer's Dance and Dante's Prayer. Really beautiful music!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFIC5wfuwcQ

[HERVEPA]

39. Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Priscilla Herman, Dar Williams,

Anne Hills,
Cindy Mangsen,
Triona Ni Dhomnaill,
Rosalie Sorrels
Kate Wolf
Jean Redpath

[hellbound-liberal]

40. I've only heard of three of these, Joan, Judy and Dar Williams, who I really like.

Thanks for mentioning her!

[NashVegas]

41. Here We Go

Ella Fitzgerald
Kate Bush
Chrissie Hynde
Tanya Donnelly
Nina Simone
Patsy Cline
Tracey Thorn
Alison Moyet
Annie Lennox
Chaka Khan

[hellbound-liberal]

42. Patsy Cline and Annie Lennox seem to be on a lot of the lists. I think Ella is my all-time favorite

Her voice slides down my throat like warm, melted butter! Though, I am not too fond of her "scatting".

[TexasBushwhacker]

89. Ha, I wondered if anyone would mention Alison Moyet!

I always loved her deep, bluesy voice.

[Inchworm]

43. Here are my 10

Emphasis on "my"

I just really like their voices. The Allison Krause song is an ocopello gospel song, so if thats no good for ya don't klik it. I know I didnt get the all time ones, but these are in my head. :D

The Evanescence chick
http://youtube.com/watch?v=V4aiH0AiXBE

Iris Dement
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6ArylRGWME

Regina Spektor
http://youtube.com/watch?v=p62rfWxs6a8&feature=related

Allison Krauss (religion warning disclaimer)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1FQqSGxBso

Sarah McLachlan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDkcJ-62uuY

Natasha Beddingford
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93yryyRjsJM

Cranberries chick
http://youtube.com/watch?v=BPLXJAWUnwI&feature=related

Nanci Griffith
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAEiVs0kJko

Jem
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ur-wMZjGbjE

Patsy Cline
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b35SkJdDGV4

:toast:

[TreasonousBastard]

44. Nobody else likes Maria Muldaur? Or Ronnie Spector? Or...

Mary Weiss (of the Shangri-Las)

Either one of the "Hearts"

Beverly Sills

And oh, so many more...

A top 10 list is really impossible.

[abq e streeter]

52. I love Ronnie Spector--in fact she was who I named on the "1st celebrity crush" thread recently

and added that I STILL have a crush on her.

[WinkyDink]

80. See Post #1! I have RS!

[MrSlayer]

45. Wendy O. Williams.

Doro Pesch is pretty good too. And, of course, Janis.

[JCMach1]

48. Fergie

ummmm now that you are awake...

Kate Bush
Mahalia Jackson
Aretha Franklin
Sinead O'Connor
Annie Lennox
Emmylou Harris
et al

[flvegan]

49. Mine (some you've never heard of)

Kim Andrew (Brilliant Sins)

Alanis

Avril

Bif Naked

Pink

Joan Jett

Sandra Nasic (Guano Apes)

Pat Benetar

Siouxsie Sioux

Johnette Napolitano (Concrete Blonde)

gotta give an Honorable Mention to Courtney Love. She's got some pipes.

[HamstersFromHell]

50. Tough list, but...

No particular order here:

1.) Loreena McKennett
2.) Patsy Cline
3.) Emmy Lou Harris
4.) Stevie Nicks
5.) Karen Carpenter
6.) Ann Wilson
7.) Annie Lennox
8.) Sinead O'Connor
9.) Carole King
10.) Carly Simon
and often overlooked, but an awesome voice..

11.) Annie Haslam (of Renaissance fame)

[Tektonik]

51. Here:

1. Elizabeth Fraser
2. Whitney Houston
3. Edith Piaf
4. Kate Bush
5. Mariah Carey
6. Debbie Harry
7. Aretha
8. Bjork
9. Stevie Nicks
10. Sinead O'Connor

Had to put Miss Fraser way up there because she's the only one to give me chills down my back.

[Kucinich4America]

53. Agree with many of those mentioned so far.

Don't disagree with the rest, just don't know their work as well as the others. Anyway, there's one name I don't recall seeing on anyone's list so far, that I have to add.

Maria McKee (formerly of Lone Justice)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOxpIhxpK5Q

I think I was in love with her for several months after they opened for U2 on the Unforgettable Fire tour.

[Mythsaje]

54. No particular order.

Amy Lee from Evenescence
Pat Benetar should need no introduction.
Johnette Napolitano from Concrete Blonde
Pink (Cause I just like tough chicks and she's got style).
Christina Aguilara (I don't care what anyone says--that girl can sing...)
Jewel
Melissa Etheridge
Natalie Merchant
Ann Wilson from Heart
And, frankly, Dilana...from that ridiculous Rockstar: Supernova competition. Okay, I only say that because the guy who won was the one I most didn't WANT to win. What a git.

[Common Sense Party]

67. Kudos for including Pat Benatar. She gets very little appreciation

these days. Fantastic set of pipes.

[Mythsaje]

74. Saw her live last summer. Still kicks ass. Sounds better than ever. n/t

[Common Sense Party]

84. Lucky! I'd love to see her live. I never have. n/t

[jgraz]

55. I have two lists (not counting opera singers)

Raw Vocal Talent

1. Ella Fitzgerald


2. Aretha Franklin


3. Etta James


4. Karen Carpenter


5. Nancy Wilson


6. Celia Cruz


7. Patsy Cline


8. Whitney Houston


9. Eva Cassidy


10. Christina Aguilera

Pure Musicianship

1. Ella Fitzgerald


2. Billie Holiday


3. Joni Mitchell


4. Sarah Vaughan


5. Aretha Franklin


6. Celia Cruz


7. Cassandra Wilson


8. Rickie Lee Jones


9. Bonnie Raitt


10. Patsy Cline

Not enough space for: Shirley Horn, Natalie Merchant, Dinah Washington, Diana Ross, Nina Simone, Natalie Cole, Grace Slick, Ann Wilson, Mama Cass Elliot and a whole bunch more I know I'll remember as soon as I post.

[Flaxbee]

64. phew! Someone finally mentioned Bonnie Raitt!

But in the "Raw Vocal Talent" category, I'd substitute Whitney for k.d. lang.

[ceile]

57. No particular order

Patsy Cline
Sarah McLoughlin
Sinead
Kim Deal
Bjork
Alison Krauss
Cindy Lauper
KD Lang
Suzanne Vega
Debbie Harry

Sorry. Have to add Jonatha Brooke.

[elana i am]

59. in no particular order

several you mentioned...
sissel
linda eder
sarah brightman
eva cassidy
linda ronstadt

i would add:
anne murray

accquired tastes but i love them:
enya
dolly parton
ruthie henshall
barbra streisand

[mitchum]

60. Ella Fizgerald, Maria Callas, Patti Smih, Nina Simone, Cassandra Wilson...

Deborah Marlow, Lucinda Williams, Tracy Nelson, Rosemary Clooney, Diamanda Galas

[Withywindle]

63. Thank you!

If this whole thread went by with no mention of La Diamanda, I was gonna have to get drastic.



Not for the weak.




Her too. She's my role model for what a 60-year-old woman should be like.


I love Middle Eastern singers.

Fairuz: http://fairuzonline.com/




The great, great Umm Khulthum: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umm_Khulthum_%28singer%29

[SacredCow]

61. OK, but I can't put them in order...

Harriet Wheeler (the Sundays)
Margo Timmins (Cowboy Junkies)
Tanya Donnelly (Belly)
Natalie Merchant (10K Maniacs)
Debbie Harry (Blondie)
Chrissy Hynde (Pretenders- and a fantastic guitarist)
Bjork (Sugarcubes- her solo stuff I don't find as good)
Amy Ray & Emily Saliers (Indigo Girls)
Kate Pierson & Cindy Wilson (B-52's)
Sarah McLachlan

[Ivan Sputnik]

62. Personal favorites

No particular order:

Ella Fitzgerald
Janis Joplin
Eva Cassidy
Tina Turner
Judy Garland
Dionne Warwick (Bacharach era)
Julie Cruise
Roberta Flack
Shirley Bassie ("Goldfinger")
Cass Elliot

[keroro gunsou]

65. mahalia jackson

that is all.

[Lindsey]

70. So many-not necessarily my top ten but my top ten that I can think of now:

(In no order)
Patsy Cline
Karen Carpenter
Dusty Springfield
kd Lange
Sinead O'Conner
Sara McLaughin
Melissa Etheridge
Stevie Nicks
Annie Lennox
Chrissy Hynde

...sorry about the mispelled names....

[Steely_Dan]

66. Here's Mine

Ann Wilson
Annie Lennox
Pat Banatar
The woman who sang background vocals on Dark Side of the Moon
Joan Jett
Natalie Merchant
KD Lang (Constant Craving)
Stevie Nicks

[bridgit]

68. Humph! No love for Ann Wilson I see...

x(

[speedoo]

69. In no particular order...

Ella Fitzgerald
Billie Holiday
Nina Simone
Emmy Lou Harris
Joan Baez
Lucinda Williams
Gillian Welch
Patty Griffin
Patsy Cline
Annie Lennox

Next five:

Aretha Franklin
Janis Joplin
Christine (Perfect) McVie
Alison Krauss
Nanci Griffith

[donheld]

71. Barbra Streisand

k d Lang
Annie Lennox
Whitney Houston
Bonnie Raitt
Roberta Flack
Aretha Franklin

[Phentex]

76. I can't believe Barbra is left off so many lists...

no one else sounds like her.

[zingaro]

72. Only ten?

Annie Lennox
Sarah McLachlan
Cyndi Lauper
Imogen Heap
Allison Kraus
Loreena McKennitt
Sinead O'Connor
Christina Aguilera
kd Lang
Amy Lee

I could go on and on.

[pepperbear]

75. In no particular order......

Joni Mitchell
Kate Bush
Aretha Franklin
Ann Peebles
Joan Armatrading
Janis Joplin
Bessie Smith
Billy Holliday
Patsy Cline
Karen Carpenter

[LostinVA]

77. My Number One is your Number One

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

81. Not ten in order, but......

Martha Davis (of The Motels)
Aimee Mann
Dido
Kelli Dayton (from Sneaker Pimps)
Mariah Carey
Sophie B. Hawkins
Lily Allen
Nina Gordon

And of course.......Shirley Manson. It doesn't get any better to me than when she performs "You Look So Fine".

[Bennyboy]

82. Irene Sage

From new Orleans. Great singer.

[Bake]

83. Beverly Sills. Mahalia Jackson.

How's THAT for eclectic?

Bake

[FredScuttle]

85. No love for Sandy Denny?

I'd also add the following to my list:

Julie Driscoll
Judy Durham (lead singer of the Seekers)
Jackie DeShannon
Aretha Franklin
Dusty Springfield
Carly Simon
Carole King
Beth Orton
Juliana Hatfield

[edbermac]

86. Michael Jackson

:P

[graywarrior]

87. Bwhahahaha hahaha hahahahaha hahahahahhahah ahhahah ahhaha hahahahaha hahahah ahahaha haha aha ha ha

hahah hahahah ahhahah ahah ahah ahaha hah ahahaha!

[av8rdave]

88. Mine

1. Annie Lennox
2. Natalie Merchant
3. Lucinda Williams
4. Deborah Coleman
5. Melissa Ethridge
6. Ann Wilson
7. Cheryl Crow
8. Carly Simon
9. Carole King
10. Edie Brickell (sp?)

[LibDemAlways]

90. Eva Cassidy makes my list too. For those who've never heard

of her, do yourselves a favor and give her a listen. She tragically died too young and the world lost one of the most hauntingly beautiful voices ever.