Most unusual/mesmerizing female voice.


Natalie Merchant gets my #1 vote!
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I realize i'll be showing my age (67), but the one I could listen to all day is Jo Stafford. Just something about her voice. Not everyone's cup of tea but maybe some of you geezers will remember her.,
Jesse Sykes (and the sweet here after. Reckless Burning)
Margo Timmons
Hope Sandoval
Holly Cole
Emmylou Harris
Neko Case
Beth Orton

A recent thread reminded me of Lucinda Williams. Her voice is immediately recognizable, and though her pitch is often not-quite-on (though not nearly off as, say, Johnny Cash), her singing just oozes character and personality---far more important to me than pitch perfectness.

Since I doubt anyone else has mentioned her, I have to insist: Tammy Wynette. My all-time favorite female singer, by far. I fell in love with her the instant I heard her voice. The only still-living singer within shouting distance of her is, as I have previously opined, the sublime Iris Dement, an Angel sent from Heaven.

I am really astonished that no one mentions Laura Nyro. She was mesmerizing (maybe not for everyone), but for sure unusual.

Listen to "New York Tendaberry" and you will understand.