[Music] Greatest female vocalists?

[OzMike]

No one's mentioned Maria Callas yet so although I agree with many of the other selections I'll go with her and introduce opera into the mix.
Incidentally people's choices should be categorised into musical genres because although Callas had an amazingly beautiful voice it wouldn't have been suited to being a good rock vocalist and she wouldn't have been able to touch Janis Joplin in that genre and vice versa or even Emmylou Harris as a Country singer or Sandy Denny as a folk singer or Billie Holiday for jazz. Different voices suit different musical genres and are not always comparable.

Opera already in the mix with Rene Fleming mate.

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

Edith. Unforgettable voice.....

 

[Molango's visa]

Anneli Drecker

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXpjHvs7wPU&list=PLFovIJO7nwQ-xyzhKjlbuoVHsJ1aW2bPy

 

[WildWood]

Here’s who I thought of as soon as I read the thread title! My fav female artist by a Mille.

https://youtu.be/ovhc7dEAjEs

 

[KZNSeagull]

Another vote for Elizabeth Fraser. Awesome voice.
Harriet Wheeler
My wife's bestie, Cindy Alter, has an amazing voice but sadly she sings crappy songs (Substitute by Clout for example) but I suppose someone has to.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Harriet Wheeler
.

Much as my 19 year old self was hopelessly in love with her, I'd file Harriett in the same place as Sarah Cracknell - somehow excellent, despite not actually having very strong vocals.

 

[Titanic]

As this seems to about pop singers... .my money is on Aretha Franklin.

I also have soft spots for Norah Jones, Sarah McLachlan and Sarah Joyce/Rumer.

 

[sussex_guy2k2]

Of the newer band (as most of the names mentioned so far are 90s or older), Jennifer Hudson has an outstanding voice.

 

[lawros left foot]

Personally, I don’t like the wailing women, Whitney, Celine, Maria Cary, etc vocal gymnastics does not a good voice make.
Usually, a song is written with enough notes to get to the end, it doesn’t need a shit load added, just to show off.

My favourites include Aretha, Martha Reeves, Gladys Knight, Karen Carpenter, Joan Osbourne, Judy Tzuke, and Kate Bush.

 

[Seagull kimchi]

https://youtu.be/LJ25-U3jNWM

Important as they came.

 

[Mackenzie]

Alison Moyet has a nice voice.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Personally, I don’t like the wailing women, Whitney, Celine, Maria Cary, etc vocal gymnastics does not a good voice make.
Usually, a song is written with enough notes to get to the end, it doesn’t need a shit load added, just to show off.

100% this. Could not agree more.

My favourites include ... Kate Bush.

 

[KZNSeagull]

Much as my 19 year old self was hopelessly in love with her, I'd file Harriett in the same place as Sarah Cracknell - somehow excellent, despite not actually having very strong vocals.

I thought this too, but have watched some videos of the Sundays on Youtube from '97 and her voice is actually very strong.

 

[lawros left foot]

100% this. Could not agree more.

Yeah, I know, but, she’s a bit different.


I’m trying to justify my choice of her, but, if I was put on the spot, I’m not sure I could.

 

[Pavilionaire]

I like a bit of clarity in my female vocals, so Karen Carpenter, Rumer and Beth Gibbons are all up there.

 

[marlowe]

Opera already in the mix with Rene Fleming mate.

Oh, sorry, I didn't realise you had meant that Renée Fleming.

 

[Miximate]

Agree with a lot of these, of the more recent artists, reckon Florence is right up there

 

[Dick Head]

Mama Cass.

 

[Marshy]

Bush, Winehouse, Beyoncé.

 

[Surf's Up]

Rachael Price from Lake Street Dive has a pretty amazing voice......

https://youtu.be/lcUeothSPyc