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Who is the World's Best 'New' Female Vocalist

It has to be Renee Olstead--she's remarkable, with talents that literally dwarf other female artists. Before you think of who is better, let me explain.
For me, it's about the voice first...I have to love the texture, totally personal here...a love it hate it kind of thing. For example, for many years including this one, I've felt that Karen Carpenter had about the most beautiful voice, I suppose, just in terms of texture, that I'd ever heard. Perfect pitch, (without pitch correction I believe) beautiful pronunciation, diction...all the components for my taste.
What was lacking was that 'style' that special vocalization that some performers, who are musically gifted have...think Clifford Brown's trumpet versus practically everyone else. Chris Botti emulates him, but isn't quite there...excellent but not really a Clifford.
Renee, does things with her voice, a 'cry' in her voice at times, going into her 'head' voice (falsetto in males) with ease...a probably 4 octave range...SHE'S remarkable.
Buy her albums!
Her first album is remarkable, and maybe better, (more a function of what music you prefer, as she matured some in the interim).
As a frequent poster on Audiogon, I think we have a responsibility to one another to make suggestions which have helped us find the 'magic'...this girl has the magic.

Good listening.

Larry
lrsky
everest_audio
285 posts
 
I have Renee Olstead's self titled album. While she does have a pretty good voice, I really don't have much interest in listenting to it at all these days. I think I'm just not digging the arrangements.

For my vote, I'll go with Melody Gardot.
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
Katherine Jenkins, it does not get better then that.
sounds_real_audio
1,013 posts
 
Liz Wright is pretty good...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjAXFce7sSA
isochronism
2,893 posts
 
Larry, I found two examples of her on you tube. "Is you or is you ain't my baby" and "Skylark" Very nice! Her performance almost seems more mature than her appearance. A compliment to her!! I think are developing a crush.
lrsky OP
1,118 posts
 
Iso,
Me too, and I'm at least, smllffftttbrrrp, decades older than her.
One poster pointed out that they don't 'dig the arrangements'...that wasn't the issue...if you don't like big band, or jazz females, you of course won't like her.
If, however this genre is to your liking, she's about the best I've heard, by a wide margin.
I'm the guy who, in 1962 at age 13 listened to Nancy Wilson and Cannonball Adderley with my turntable (suitcase jobbie) set on repeat, all night for weeks.
I'd just read Satchmo, an autobiography of Louis Armstrong, and wanted to be a New O'linns musician...playing Alto Sax, with my first paying job only 6 months into the future. lol
Anyway, Renee, really floats my boat, and her albums are much better in every way than any of the YouTube's.

Good listening.
Larry
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