[Music] Best female vocalist ever

[Herr Tubthumper]

This is a bit off-piste for the music crowd on this board,... but Lady Ga Ga.... gasp!!!

I never realised how powerful her voice was until I heard this track some years back.... live acoustic version of Joanne.

This is a really good call. When listening to the new Stones album I was surprised to read the female vocal on this track was Ga Ga…..just assumed it was one of usual gospel singers they have on their albums. It’s some vocal as well.

 

[Hugo Rune]

Sia Furler.

Bags of singing ability but it’s her voice I truly love.

 

[aolstudios]

Plenty I’d potentially choose have already been mentioned. I’ll give a shout out to Amy Winehouse for her song delivery as well as the voice. Good songwriter too, which not too many female vocalists are.

Nailed on genius of a writer & vocalist. I'm still angry with Amy for dying

 

[A1X]

Dame Shirley Bassey

 

[aolstudios]

There is no 'best', just favourites.
Enjoying the choices

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

Ariana Grande has phenomenal vocal chops, incredible range/falsetto.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

No need for a poll. Watched something on BBC2 tonight which reminded me of:

The pure and crystal clear voice of the late, great Karen Carpenter.

I absolutely love her voice and have bought CDs of her stuff. Which may come as a surprise to people who know my fondness of 80s indy bands and present day Russian witch house.

There are too many female vocalists I love for me to name the best.

Off the top of my head:

Laura Nyro
Dusty Springfield
Virginia Astley
Lisa Gerrard (Dead Can Dance)
Ramona Carlier (Mo-Dettes)
Andrea Ferro (Lacuna Coil)
Liv Kristine (Theatre of Tragedy)
Anneli Drecker (Bel Canto)
Christine McVie (Fleetwood Mac)
Kennedy Ashlyn (SRSQ)

Just discovered Bel Canto released their first new album for 22 years a little while ago. Wow. Happy! Anneli's voice is still magical.

 

[sparkie]

I don't know - I haven't heard them all.

 

[pearl]

No offense but I just can't stand Karen Carpenter. Has to be Aretha for me.

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

Hannah Reid of London Grammar.
and Freya Ridings.

 

[pearl]

PJ Harvey
Bjork
Sinead O Connor

 

[heathgate]

This is a really good call. When listening to the new Stones album I was surprised to read the female vocal on this track was Ga Ga…..just assumed it was one of usual gospel singers they have on their albums. It’s some vocal as well.

Yup, not seen that before,... powerful stuff.

 

[Half Time Pies]

Beverly Knight for her vocal range.
Skunk Anansie frontwoman Skin is the best woman lead singer that I have seen live. Incredible voice and stage presence.

 

[aberllefenni]

Sandy Denny, by a country mile.

This, with an honourable mention for Ofra Haza.

 

[nevergoagain]

Sinead O'Connor for me. Shouts for Adele also, her performance at the Brits a while back was simply amazing.

 

[OzMike]

I like Julianne Regan, from All About Eve.

 

[Is it PotG?]

Dinah Washington
Lisa Hannigan
Hope Sandoval
Kate Rusby
Helen Shapiro
Beth Gibbons
Lisa Gerrard
Ella Fitzgerald
Aretha Franklin

 

[METALMICKY]

I am a little surprised nobody has mentioned Dolores O'Riordan...

So I shall remedy that - another to add to the gone too soon list...!

This with absolute bells on! Superbly unique style that trounced the similarly quirky styles of Bjork and Sinéad O'Connor

 

[pasty]

I saw Sam Brown doing the vocal solo for the great gig in the sky, hands down the best vocal performance I have ever seen.

I had the same pleasure. Division Bell tour at Earls Court ‘94

 

[Dave the OAP]

I think Raye is a fabulous singer!

personally trying to name a favourite ( or best ) female singer is a bit like naming your favourite child.

Dame Shirley gives me goosebumps listening to her as does Ella Fitzgerald.