You might want to try Linda Ronstadt's "What's New", Nelson Riddle Orchestra. A lot of standards on this one including the title song, I've got a crush on you, Someone to Watch over me etc. Lush, easy to listen to and not at all bluesy. |
Teirney Sutton ( something cool album ) awesome voice, awesome album.Kind of an unknown but not for long. First song is "Rt66" . |
Try Eva Cassidy. She sounds different on every song she sings. Sometimes she comes across like a blues singer. On other tracks she sounds like a chanteuse. Start with "Live from Blues Alley". You'll be hooked! |
I agree with Camadeco about Eva Cassidy.
I just picked up my first CD of hers, Time After Time, it is wonderful. I find myself listening to it over and over. Her voice is remarkable. On this CD, she does remakes of "Aint no Sunshine", "Time after Time", "At Last", "The Letter" and "Woodstock" to name a few.
The actual recording is very good too. I cannot wait to get Songbird and Blues Alley. I just read a listing on Ebay, there is a new release of hers coming out, titled something like "American Songs"?
Regards, |
Perhaps it's something you already know about, but there's a long running forum on AudiogoN called "Best female vocals on CD." Lots of suggestions and loads of reviews. |
Karla Bonoff. Not a weak cut on any of her albums. These aren't audiophile recordings but plain, good music. Writes most of her own music too. Going to see her live for the first time Friday night in an intimate, nearly perfect acoustical venue. I can't wait. |
Try Lizz Wrigth, her album Salt is out on Verve. |
Not sure if she fits in with your description, but I think that Jennifer Warnes is very much under rated with a superb voice. Most will cite "Famous Blue Raincoat" as her definitive album. However, I personally think that "Shot Through the Heart" and "Hunter" are both superior albums in terms of content, if not sonics.
Try also try, Marlena Shaw "Live in Tokyo" on Eighty-Eights, a Japanese pressing, of you can find it. Maybe it is on CD, too, I don't know.
I like Eva Cassidy, as well. Also, Janis Ian "Between the Lines" and "Breaking Silence".
Have you tried Dinah Washington? |
Ella Fitzgerald, simply the best. |
Hpshps, I agree completely with Lizz Wright and would also suggest Orna and Jenna Mammina. You won't be disappointed. |
Shirley Horn - The Original Diana Krall - anything by Shirley Horn... |
Besides those mentioned,
Karrin Allyson - "In Blue" is a widely ranging mix of captivating soul jazz classics and ballads.
Jane Monheit - "Come Dream With Me" great standards with the best rendition of Over the Rainbow I have ever heard.
Both have magical qualities. |
I bought Frances Black's 'Talk to me' on the Celtic Heartbeat labal from an A'goner and I haven't put it in the rack since I bought it. She has a gorgeous voice, and this recording captures it all. |
Stacey Kent. You can listen to some MP3 clips of her songs on amazon.com to get a sense of her sound. |
I agree with Shirley Horne, and the best: Dinah Washington. |
dinah washington--oo la la Madeleine Peyroux great chords for a white girl. sounds like billie's twin. Cassandra wilson and diane reeves. No offense, but Krall doesn't have a voice for my taste. However, she does have style. I'm not nuts about Ricki Lee Jones, but Pop Daddy is a KILLER recording of intimate, lovely, singing. Cassidy: now there's a voice. Sarah, ella, billie AND Anita O'day--get the right recordings and go to heaven. Holy Cole?-Temptation is the album. Her others are mediocre. Perhaps it's the Tom Waits material. Go figure. Can't listen to her for too long. Deedee Bridgewater- amazing. Also, check out Cesaria Evora. Let me stop here. You gots enough to keep your tympanics busy for awhile. peace, warren. |
I love the voices of Diana Krall, Edith Piaff, Barbara Streisand, Patricia Barber, Karen Carpenter, Natalie Cole, Peggy Lee... Each female singer they have their own talented style. In Jazz, I think Diana Krall and Patricia Barber are the best female vocal jazz whereas Peggy Lee has her best voice in classic jazz. |
dinah washington--oo la la Madeleine Peyroux great chords for a white girl. sounds like billie's twin. Cassandra wilson and diane reeves. No offense, but Krall doesn't have a voice for my taste. However, she does have style. I'm not nuts about Ricki Lee Jones, but Pop Daddy is a KILLER recording of intimate, lovely, singing. Cassidy: now there's a voice. Sarah, ella, billie AND Anita O'day--get the right recordings and go to heaven. Holy Cole?-Temptation is the album. Her others are mediocre. Perhaps it's the Tom Waits material. Go figure. Can't listen to her for too long. Deedee Bridgewater- amazing. Also, check out Cesaria Evora. Let me stop here. You gots enough to keep your tympanics busy for awhile. peace, warren. |
Try Susannah McCorkle. Her interpretations of the jazz standards are unique. It is a tragedy that she is no longer with us. |
Absolutely get Tierney Sutton!! Her "Introducing Tierney Sutton" is fantastic! Then get "Blue in Green", "Unsung Heros" and "Something Cool." If you have SACD "Something Cool" comes in this format. I'd love the opportunity to see her. She also has a website.
A terrific CD is Jane Monheit's first "Never Never Land." I din't particularly like her 2nd CD, but this first one is truly special.
Nora Jones, though not really the kind of jazz singer we often think of is worth picking up. Her rendition of "The Nearness of You" is beautifully done. |
With respect to today's jazz vocalists, I agree wholeheartedly with the Tierney Sutton recommendation. Paula West is another, but her self-produced CDs are hard to find, although I've seen "Temptation" on amazon in the past. I also like Christine Tobin a lot, but her CDs are not available in the US, although I've bought two through amazon.co.uk. Tobin is more in the Patricia Barber mold, but perhaps more eclectic than Barber.
Stacey Kent and Diana Krall just don't do it for me...sorry. |
I think Diana Krall is way overrated personally. I really enjoy Joni Mitchell's 2000 release, Both Sides Now.
I'm also a big Dinah Washington fan - also try Abbey Lincoln.
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Ricki Lee Jones. Pop Pop is awesome! |
Melissa Errico. While simply browsing at my local Tower Records, I picked up this artist's cd "Blue Like That" without any knowledge of her. It turned out to be a very pleasant surprise and quite enjoyable. Good recording too. |
Here's another vote for Lizz Wright. Just discovered she's on Joe Sample's outsiding CD the The Pecan Tree.
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Little diferent but sweet female vocals..........
Cowboy Junkies
Alyson Kraus and Union Station
yes...Shirley Horn
Reine Marie...Live |
Fellow Audiogoners,
Really appreciate everyone opening my "ears" to nice female vocalists. I shall try Tierney Sutton first and move on to the rest, such as Jennifer Warnes and Janis Ian.
Aaron |
