Female Vocalists

24

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  • skipf
    skipf Posts: 694
    edited June 2008
    Aimee Mann has two MOFI recordings out now. Well worth a listen. Another you may want to check out (don't laugh please) are Dolly Parton's two bluegrass releases, "The Grass is Blue" and "Little Sparrow". Both are excellent, and the band she assembled is one of the best I've heard in bluegrass.
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  • TNRabbit
    TNRabbit Posts: 2,168
    edited June 2008
    Skip: If you don't have the SACD version of Diana Krall's "Girl in the Other Room", get it. "Temptation" sounds FANTASTIC in 5.1 surround!!
    TNRabbit
    NO Polk Audio Equipment :eek:
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  • strider
    strider Posts: 2,568
    edited June 2008
    skipf wrote: »
    Aimee Mann has two MOFI recordings out now. Well worth a listen. Another you may want to check out (don't laugh please) are Dolly Parton's two bluegrass releases, "The Grass is Blue" and "Little Sparrow". Both are excellent, and the band she assembled is one of the best I've heard in bluegrass.

    Right there with you! Dolly has a beautiful voice. I don't have anything by her specifcally, but I do have an Emmy Lou Harris release where she duets with her. It's a bluegrass release also, but damn if I can remember the name right now.

    Oh, to the OP, you may want to check out Emmy Lou Harris as well. Newer stuff alone or with Mark Knopfler, or her early stuff. Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town is great, I'll try and look tonight for some other titles.
    Wristwatch--->Crisco
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  • dragon1952
    dragon1952 Posts: 4,907
    edited June 2008
    Check out Regina Belle. Some of her stuff is just a little too much for me (hip-hop-ish/modern R&B?) The CD's Lazy Afternoon and Believe In Me are great.
    2 channel - Willsenton R8 tube integrated, Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC, audio optimized NUC7i5, Windows 10 Pro/JRiver MC29/Fidelizer Plus 8.7 w/LPS and external SSD drive, PS Audio PerfectWave P3 regenerator, KEF R3 speakers, Rythmik F12SE subwoofer, Audioquest Diamond USB cable, Gabriel Gold IC's, Morrow Audio SP5 speaker cables. Computer - Windows 10/JRiver, Schiit Magni 3+/Modi 3+, Fostex PMO.4n monitors, Sennheiser HD600 headphones
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited June 2008
    Hayley Westenra. I mention this because you like Sarah Brightman. I'm a big fan and IMO, Hayley will be the next Sarah. The new Brightman album is great. Too bad I don't listen to it as much as I'd like due to the poor recording.

    Anne Murrey. Her "Country Croonin" album is excellent. 30 Cover songs of some of the best stuff.

    Bonnie Tyler. I only own one album ("Heartbreakers") so I don't know what the others sound like, but Heartbreakers is great. She has that smokey voice which suits her music very well.

    And yes, we all know her..... Mariah Carey. Not the new disposable music she's been making, but her old album from over 10 years ago called "Daydream" is beautiful.
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited June 2008
    janmike wrote:
    Over the past several years or so I have been trying to get out of the same music that I always listen to by purchasing some new music. Yah I know, I was living is the Stone Age. I keep going back to the female vocalists CD rack more and more. Anyway, I have listed a few female vocalists that I really like and am looking for others that fit the general category of the ones I have listed. The other imperative feature is a GOOD recording and SACD if available.
    Thanks folks.


    Norah Jones
    Sarah Brightman
    Diana Krall
    Alison Krauss
    Loreena McKennitt
    Amy Winehouse
    Sarah McLachlan
    Patrica Barber

    Of your list only Sarah McLachlan and Alison Krauss are a significant part of my music library (but I have most if not all of their albums). I think I have a Diana Krall DVD. My dislike of Norah is well documented in this forum.

    That said, there are a couple of female artists that I really enjoy that are probably an aquired taste. Kate Bush and Joan Osborne. They are not your "typical" female vocalist but their recordings are outstanding. I just got through listening to Kate's "The Inside Kick" on vinyl (I have a near mint copy thanks to GG). It was her first album and is an excellent recording.

    41GO5YDnORL._SL500_AA240_.jpg

    "Hounds of Love" is an equally impressive recording:

    31R809XNEML._SL500_AA240_.jpg

    The album that may be at the top of my favorite female vocalists is Joan Osborn's "Relish". It is often discounted because of some folks impression that "One of Us" is some sort of "pop" fluff. It isn't! This is one of the best recordings you will come across.

    415SRCDC62L._SL500_AA240_.jpg

    Some others that I like a lot, are Jewel, Amy Grant, and several female Country artists like Sara Evans, Martina McBride and Jennifer Nettles.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited June 2008
    Oh man, how did I forget.... Lara Fabian. Her self titled cd and "A Wonderful Life" is super. "9" is alright, but the album is all French. I prefer her singing in English.
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  • fatchowmein
    fatchowmein Posts: 2,637
    edited June 2008
    janmike wrote: »
    Over the past several years or so I have been trying to get out of the same music that I always listen to by purchasing some new music. Yah I know, I was living is the Stone Age. I keep going back to the female vocalists CD rack more and more.

    Although I don't necessarily love all of her material, I keep coming back to Cyndi Lauper's "All Through the Night" and "True Colors."
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited June 2008
    A fresh young voice who's exploding on the jazz scene is Esperanza Spalding. She plays bass, too.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited December 2008
    Sarah McLachlan sucks. Not as bad as Snora Jones, but her music is so bland. She does that thing the singer from the Cranberries does. Just awful. I have the 2 CD set, and a 3 disc set I picked up today. The DVD made me want to club a baby seal, or throw a puppy off a cliff. I have some Diana Krall, and Alison Krauss live. I need some thing new, and well recorded. These two sets I picked up today were my biggest disappointment yet. I had big hopes:(
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • obieone
    obieone Posts: 5,077
    edited December 2008
    Ben, if you like a raspy, blues voice, then check out Susan Tedeschi. Also Gretchen Wilson, and Carrie Underwood.
    I refuse to argue with idiots, because people can't tell the DIFFERENCE!
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited December 2008
    This time I am going to listen to the music at the store!
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited December 2008
    Ben, do the YouTube or Amazon thing prior to buying. It has made my recent purchases very satisfying.

    PS - Sorry, I like Sarah.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited December 2008
    janmike wrote: »
    Ben, do the YouTube or Amazon thing prior to buying. It has made my recent purchases very satisfying.

    PS - Sorry, I like Sarah.

    :)
    Lots of people like Nora Jones too. I know a lot of my music is not very popular;) I am doing the youtube thing again. I did it prior to some Diana Krall stuff I got.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited December 2008
    What kind of vocals to you like Ben?
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited December 2008
    Linda Rhondstat, Allison Krauss, and Diana Krall so far.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited December 2008
    A few others that were suggested to me that I like are:
    Amanda McBroom
    Sarah Brightman
    Loreena McKennitt

    Perhaps not your cup of tea though.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited December 2008
    I think I will scope out some of Sarah Brightman's work:)
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited December 2008
    La Luna is a very good CD. I have it in SACD.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited December 2008
    Mike,

    Check out Mary Stallings: Fine and Mellow - This is a damn fine recording and is amazingly done with only two microphones.

    http://www.amazon.com/Fine-Mellow-Mary-Stallings/dp/B00000080R/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1230359847&sr=1-6


    The other suggestions above are good too.
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited December 2008
    ben62670 wrote: »
    Sarah McLachlan sucks.

    Ben -- It was Sarah's live CD we were listening to at my house a couple of weeks ago. It's one of my main test CDs for sound quality. A couple of her most popular songs are incredible, and IMO, she sounds her best live and solo.

    I've found that the best female vocalists are off the grid. Some of the indie artists out there do it right.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited December 2008
    Early B wrote:
    It's one of my main test CDs for sound quality. A couple of her most popular songs are incredible, and IMO, she sounds her best live and solo.

    I too have used a couple of Mclachlan CDs for testing/comparison purposes. There is some incredibly deep and subtle bass in some of the tracts that will really test the range of a speaker. Besides, she is one of my favorite female vocalist (definitely in my top 3) and I could listen to her all day.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited December 2008
    Agreed with Early and Shack. I use Angel as a test song among others.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • bikezappa
    bikezappa Posts: 2,463
    edited December 2008
    Amanda McBroom

    Ben check her out.
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  • dudeinaroom
    dudeinaroom Posts: 3,609
    edited December 2008
    Just got Brandi Carlile's The Story cd for Christmas. I have not seriously listened to it ( had it playing while doing some house work). It sounded to have decent quality, (sorry, no separates, just my Denon0 and she has a nice voice.
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  • mjjjhjemj
    mjjjhjemj Posts: 47
    edited December 2008
    So many of the songs on the Surfacing album display quite a hz span - the very low to the nice highs. Great CD for testing or listening to speakers. You can see whether it spans the frequency range you would like and conveys the midrange of the vocals as she has a great voice and if it loses any of the emotion then should move on to the next set of speakers in IMO
    janmike wrote: »
    Agreed with Early and Shack. I use Angel as a test song among others.
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  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited December 2008
    Thread too long for a full read, but...

    Fiona Apple was just spinning on my rig and she still makes the hairs raise up.

    I saw Aimee Mann mentioned...good choice!

    Never can go wrong with Natalie Merchant.
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
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  • BigMac
    BigMac Posts: 849
    edited December 2008
    http://www.asl.fr.it/AttoAziendale/Hans%20Zimmer%20&%20Lisa%20Gerrard%20-%20Now%20We%20Are%20Free.mp3

    http://lagbag.com/hasta/Black%20Hawk%20Down%20-%20Gortoz%20A%20Ran.mp3

    There are so many talented female singers it is hard to pick just one. I guess since I just watched Gladiator and Black Hawk Down in the last few days I thought I would mention Lisa Gerrard. Very unique voice and her music is just awesome to listen to.
    DON'T CLICK THIS!!
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  • dudeinaroom
    dudeinaroom Posts: 3,609
    edited December 2008
    um....reported
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited December 2008
    OK I'm over it. I should have never watched her DVD. She is like one of those dippy green peace Peta type chics. I listened to another live album she did, and I did enjoy it. I need to stay away from DVDs of unfamiliar artists before I actually listen to them. Some of her tunes still erk me a bit, but I am warming up to her music slowly:)
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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