Best female vocals on CD


Want recommendations for Female recordings on CD. Thanks Joe
jwstannese647
All of these are very good but try mine.... Tift merritt, Opera Babes, Cocteau twins, Sarah Brightman and the best all around is Julie London.
Patty Larkin on "Tango", "Angels Running", "Stranger's World" and "Perishable Fruit"
Patty Larkin is extraordinary on CD. Add to Bobgates list the live "A GoGo". She is an even better live performer.
Bobgates-I am glad to see that she is appreciated by an apparent fellow traveler.
Nancy Wilson,,,,;R.S.V.P ;Nancy Wilson/Cannonball Adderley ,Great music and very good recordings too!
I have more than 50 CD's from this prolific songwriting trio featuring Sarah Cracknell whose English voice is just so purely unforgettable, singing my favorite slow song ballad of all time, Hobart Paving. The acappella first few bars of this song set the tone for a melody that is both seductive and virginal.

Hobart Paving, a beautiful ballad where we hear lyrics like "Rain falls, like Elvis tears", but the highlight of the song is when Sarah sings "and baby, don't forget to catch me" over and over - it is perfection. This remaster is done to current state of art standards and has considerable more dynamic range than the same songs on other CD's. This is the CD to order if you like the samples. This is the CD I recommend if you have the utmost in resolving system. It is truly an audiophile compilation of many of their best songs. Long live Saint Etienne.

Saint Etienne remaster import
Yada,You have me interested in this CD,the amazon link has track listings but no samples,how would you describe the music?
Sorry Raytheprinter.. Read your posts all of the time too. I am embarrassed.
url=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00065GHWO/102-2602563-8191309?v=glance&n=5174&s=music&v=glance]Hobart Paving here[/url]

This is the second best version of the song. Sorry for the oversight.
Over The Rhine's Karin Lindquist's vocals sound close mic'd with an incredible amount of air and breathiness to them. Good Dog, Bad Dog is a favorite CD with dynamic, dramatic acoustic instrumentals also. She also has a very interesting delivery and pronunciation with some of the lyrics.
Yada,No worrys,Very good stuff,also like a Miss Kittin,that you mentioned in another thread!Thanks,Ray
I just bought Cheryl Bentyne;Let me off Uptown,,,WOW!!!!!!!!!!! I cant stop playing this,great music and recording
I have read most of the thread and will only nominate names that appear infrequently.
Stacey Kent
Kari Bremnes(Norwegian folk singer)
Kate Rusby(English Folk singer)
Sara K
Eliza Gilkyson
Sarah Massen (particularly, Dreamlife of Angels)
Lori Mckenna
Rosie Thomas
Shawn Colvin

Opera:
Maria Callas of course, best choice Tosca
Vittoria De Losangeles Beechams version of La Boheme, one of the great opera recordings, her entrance in Act 1, is sublime
Elizabeth Sharzkopf, Strauss Der Rosenkavalier, another of the great opera recordings of all time
Janet Baker, In anything, burt Cavali's "Callisto" is a good start
Anita O`Day and the most influential female singer outside of the western world Om kalsoum.
Lisa Gerrard of Dead Can Dance. Not sure if she's been mentioned but I would highly recommend a listen. CD's worth mention are Dead Can Dance "Towards The Within" & "Spiritchaser".
In no particular order ... I enjoy at various moments Natalie Merchant, Suzanne Rhatigan, Tanita Tikaram, Deanna Kirk, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Kris McKay, Holly Cole ...
Ok, here are a couple that might not have been mentioned yet, but I believe would be greatly enjoyed:
- Sophie Zelmani: Love Affair (but basically any of her albums)
- Katja Maria Werker: Contact Myself
- Kitty Hoff: Rauschen (if you can understand German)
- Carol Sloane: Ballad Essentials (on Concord)
- Oh Susannah: Sleepy Little Sailor
- Abbey Lincoln: A turtles dream
- Carmen Cuesta-Loeb: Dreams
- Solveig Slettahjell: Slow Motion Orchestra
- Bic Runga: Beautiful Collision
- Kathryn Williams: Little Black Numbers
- Karrin Allyson: In Blue
- Lisa Ekdahl: Sings Salvadore Poe
- Tierney Sutton: Dancing in the dark

OK, at least one Opera has to be mentioned:
- Sandrine Piau: Händel Opera Seria

I have not given any descriptions, they are all easy enough to look up in amazon or so...and also I think easy enough listening to be enjoyed by most who like what has already been mentioned in this threat. Just beware that most of these tend to be a bit melancholic or at least quite in basic mood :-)

Anyone there who knows a lot of my recommendations? What else would you recommend??
Btw, for those of you asking about Madeleine Peyroux's "Careless Love" on LP, it's coming soon, available on pre-order from Music Direct. I ordered my copy!
For early music, check out recordings by Emma Kirkby. Amazing voice, pure, crystalline.
Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions - "Bavarian Fruit Bread"
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
My favorites are Eva Cassidy,Nancy Wilson of Heart,Sara Brightman,Sarah Mclachlan,Jewel,Amy Lee of Evanescence, Sade,and Candice night of Blackmore's night.yep she's Mr Ritchie Blackmore's(of Deep Purple and Rainbow) fiance.
Gillian Welch - I'm now a big big fan. Check out "Revival". Not only a great voice, there's some incredible bass playing.
I would have to agree w/ the other people submitting Over The Rhine's Karin Bergquist/Detweiller. The latest called Drunkard's Prayer is recorded in such an intimate way. It is like you sitting in the parlor and they are playing right there. Karin's voice is sincere, and pure w/ a great range.
One of my current favorites is Louise Taylor. Her most recent CD "Written In Red" has fabulous sound, complex soundstage, dynamic instrumental passages, and very expressive vocals. Try to listen for her inhale at the end of the title cut.
Holly Cole has the voice and original style, try: "Temptation" (Tom Waits songs), or "It Happened One Night".
Tracie de Jong from New Zealand

She's way better than most I have heard raved about.
She has 3 CD's.
"Turning In" is my favourite.
You can hear them all and view lyrics at:
http://www.traciedejong.com/
Just purchased this CD on a whim after having heard just short samples on Amazon. Manu Katche's Neighborhood w/ Tomaz Stanko & Jan Garbarek. Simply amazing music. So moody, so intricate, never a boring moment ...At the end of the day, it makes me realize all the effort and good results from working on one's sytem to improve sound quality, pales in comparison to the sheer joy of musical discovery. May it always be.
There is a 17 years old, Amber Collins, who is lead singer for a local bluegrass band, No Speed Limit. They are new, with only two CDs thus far. But, I must tell, Amber's singing ability is increadible!!

The Band is loaded with talent, 2001 Merlefest National Guitar winner, playing the inauguration of the VA governor 2006, and placing 3rd in the Nashville International Band Competition.

She is not in the big time yet. But I wanted to toss the name out for any of you fellow Audiogoners whom may enjoy modern bluegrass. I frequent the local music venues (Blue Ridge Mountains of VA) and have seen this band 3 times now - very impressive pickin & singing.
Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye by Jeri Southern. It's on a great cd by Charlie Haden's Quartet West. Karryn Allyson's version is a worthy second.
My nomination is Kirsty Hawkshaw - tracks under her name, with BT, with Opus - she has a fantastic voice!
I second the remark to Tracie De Jong. This woman is fantastic and an all around wonderful person as well.

Dar Hopkins
Cincinnati
On Diana Krall ... Yes, she has limited range. Yes, Ella & Sarah had (especially Sarah) larger instruments. But ... But ... as far as sexyness in the phrasing, Krall has it hands down. I heard DK on FM radio (Piano Jazz) the other night and even she admits to her limited range. Her piano playing is excellent. Get the DVD of "Live in Paris" to observe the piano playing ... if you can get passed her facial expressions without passing out. I'm not saying that DK is the greatest female vocalist that ever lived, but she's not the worst by any means.
Here's some more:

Jennifer Warnes (I can't believe she hasn't been mentioned yet) - "The Well" ; "Hunter"; "Famous Blue Raincoat"

Patty Griffin "1000 Kisses" ; "Living with Ghosts"

Iris Dement "Infamous Angel"

. . .
Cassandre McKinley - "Til Tomorrow Remembering Marvin Gaye" on MaxJazz label. Wonderfully recorded and just a pure voice true to the Jazz genre. Highly recommended.
Artist: TRIJNTJE OOSTERHUI
Album: The look of love

Metropole Orchestra
Burt Bacharach Songbook

Engineer: Al Schmitt & James Lee
Studio: MCO Studio, Hilversum, Nederland
Village Recorder, Los Angeles, CA

Blue Note Records - 2007 Holland

This is a stunning vocalist! Wow. I was blown away. Okay, it is old favorites that she sings but she does it with such passion and vivre that it is captivating. The sonics of the album is also breathtaking and a must for any 'high-end' user...

Dewald Visser - The Weekly Groove
Keri Noble is great singer/songwriter. Have now tracked down all her CD's. Not an especially good voice, but unique. And the songs are hook-y somehow. Oh, and most of the recordings are pretty good quality. Great find!

Looking through this thread for the first time in about 6 months. I still can't believe no one has mentioned another Spectacular singer -- I guess she's still getting no respect -- that would be Doris Day! Check out early recordings. Great pipes!

My fave for the year is still Vienna Teng (often mentioned in the thread). Just saw her in concert a couple of months ago. Fantastic!

Just heard that the Cowboy Junkies will be in town next month. Can't wait! 20 years and still going strong!
Annie Haslam is still my favorite... There was also a chick singer in a rock band back in the 70's called Babe Ruth...I don't feel like looking her name up but she was great.

I also agree with Dfhaleycko on Doris Day.
some recent CD purchases that I recommend for female voice
Cassandra Wilson: Traveling Miles...her best IMO
Jacqui Naylor:The Color of Five...prefer her Shelter album however
June Christy: Ballads for Night People: remasterd CD, utterly intoxicating
Nina Simone: Anthology...had a few of her CDs,,wanted the more...and always will
Just got a notice that Jennifer Warnes Famous Blue Raincoat is going to be re-released in a 30th Anniversary Special Edition on August 7th. Hope they don't screw it up and try to "add" to it in the remastering
recent discovery for me///"The Pheonomenal Ruthie Foster"...corny title, music/voice anything but
Anything by Patricia Barber.

Most anything by Joni Mitchell.

Cheryl Bentyne on Rob Wasserman's "Duets" lp.