Any suggestions for good female vocals? Something like Norah Jones, Rickie Lee Jones or Katie Melua. Great singing, but also great real music is a must. I like jazzier type stuff... nothing too cheesy, but I'm pretty open. Only looking for vinyl. Any suggestions? Especially from people who are fans of the above mentioned Artists. Sometimes I'm just in the mood to relax and melt into the couch type music.

:music:

Suzanne Vega, Diana Krall, Duffy, Shirely Bassey, Susannah McCorkle


also Beth Orton

check out Judith Owen....great singer and great Piano player

How far back are you willing to go? Dakota Staton, Keeley Smith, or Dinah Washington are all great for relaxing and drifting away....

For newer stuff, check out Melody Gardot, "Worrisome Heart". For classics, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holliday are hard to beat.

Ray

Vinyl makes that rather tough...

How about Heather Nova (Live From the Milky Way), Cat Power (pretty much anything) and Madeleine Peyroux (unfortunately no 'Dreamland' on LP)? Also the new She & Him album (Zooey Deschanel on vocals) is supposed to be pretty damn good as well.

...Also the new She & Him album (Zooey Deschanel on vocals) is supposed to be pretty damn good as well.

Zooey has an album out?! Very cool, love her and Leon Redbone's version of the classic Baby it's Cold. She has a wonderul, almost "vintage" way of singing.

Lizz Wright
Cassandra Wilson
She & Him
I second Melody Gardot :)
K.D. Lang - Hymns of the 49th Parallel (gorgeous album)

Cassandra Wilson


Who I was gonna say.

Also Beth Gibbons of Portishead, if that's not your cup of tea, check out the much more laid back collaboration with Rustin Man.

Always had a soft spot for Beth Orton too. She can be rough around the edges but I like that. :)

Françoiz Breut- if it's okay that she sings in French.

Wow guys, that was quick. I think I have enough new names for me to check out. Any best albums in particular from any of you who mentioned artists?

Thanks!!

Not jazz but... Regina Spektor.

I really like Cassandra Wilson's Full Moon Daughter. I'm not sure if it's best but it's very good, and a good introduction.

If you want different, I say Kate Bush is worth checking out- The first few albums shoud be availabe on used vinyl..

Although somewhat understated, I vote for Kate St. John. She, in addition to working with Roger Eno (and Bill Nelson AKA Channel Light Vessel) has released two great CDs on her own and has played for years (woodwinds) with Van Morrison and then her stint with Dream Academy.

http://www.katestjohn.co.uk/

Discography: http://www.katestjohn.co.uk/disco.htm

I particularly like her first CD "Indescribable Night".

Also, I suggest: The Roches

Their early work is unique and can be quirky and their later work is more musical. I REALLY like:

"Can We Go Home Now" and "Speak".

For some of the gutsiest female singing backed by great music you must listen to Marianne Faithfull. I only have "Broken English" and "Dangerous Acquaintances" on LP and the "Broken English" version has the track "why'd'ya Do It" blanked out. Even the title is ********. Seems we pure hearted Aussies needed our morals protected from sexually oriented raw emotion.
On the other side, if "The Ballad of Lucy Jordan" leaves you dry-eyed and unemotional then you have no heart.
Have a listen...I think you'll be impressed. :thmbsp:

Have a listen to this little gal..Astonishing..
http://www.oprah.com/media/20080601_tows_223022001CHARICE_O_VIDEO_1

I must agree with Beth Orton from a previous poster. Also Lori Carson for soulful Jazz. For just a great female singer I would say Patty Griffin and The Be Good Tanyas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOxpvKuEruk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_NuK75HV1A&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyh2AZcEk0U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-l3LD2kYjwI

Hi, Dionne Warwick and her Album from 1982 HEARTBREAKER made with Barry Gibb
..... Heartbreaker and All the Love in the World ... specially Heartbreaker to me is one of the best song
ever !!!

Susan Tedeschi
Patty Griffin
Grace Potter
Maura O'Connell
Eva Cassidy
Marti Jones
Shawn Colvin
Patty Larkin
Grace Griffin
Joan Osborn
Kim Richie

Some of these on Vinyl might be tricky and require searching if even on LP and some not so "Jazz" oriented -

Tori amos
Gillian welch
Jontha brook
Joni mitchell
Alison krauss
Sam phillips (T-bone burnett's wife)
Patti smith
Judy garland
Lisa gerrard (Vocalist for "Dead can dance")
Humm,who else ?
Grace jones

Sonya Kitchell might be worth a listen.

Another vote for Melody Gardot and Lisa Gerrard

Some not mentioned
Jacintha
Anjani - Blue Alert is outstanding
Amanda McBroom
Madeleine Peyroux
Christy Baron
Eva Cassidy
Natalie Merchant
Nina Simone
Jane Monheit

I thnk you should give "Pop Pop" by Rickie Lee Jones a try.It's got a nice Jazzy feel to it,including stand up bass,well recorded,& it's available on vinyl.

I have seem some of these already listed - so I 2nd the vote here.

Grace Potter
Raya Yarbourgh
Hope Waits
Melody Gardot
Veinna Teng
Emmy Lou Harris
Early - Linda Ronstad
Dar Williams

Lots of great suggestions in here already:

I second Linda Rondstadt, Kate Bush, and Tori Amos.

Hard for me to believe that Sara Machlachlan has no mention yet. Definitely one of my faves, but most listed in my post are more rock than jazz. (Linda Rondstadt could go both ways - but don't read too much into that.)

Holly Cole
Ilona Knopfler

thread (http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=11299&highlight=female)


I went through this thread once and seached for as many clips as possible. Lots of good suggestions in it, as well as in the current thread.

Janiva Magness (http://www.janivamagness.com/sounds.html).

Very soulful and great pipes.

If you can find one of her's, Barbara Keith. Lowell George helped out on one of her lp's :thmbsp: Folky plus.

BTW, Cassandra Wilson's on Blue Note- which means vinyl, and good heavy vinyl to boot.

Karrin Allyson
Janis Siegel
Ceu
Jacintha
Dee Dee Bridgewater


RC

Suzanne Vega, Diana Krall, Duffy, Shirely Bassey, Susannah McCorkle


also Beth Orton

+1 on Diana Krall, plus all of her stuff is exceptionally recorded, and most of her albums are on SACD, too.

Don't know the girl's name, but the one that did the vocals on Cirque du Soleil's QUIDAM CD is absolutely amazing, also a very desirable recording. If you want to test your system, this is a doozie.

Lots of great suggestions in here already:

...

Hard for me to believe that Sara Machlachlan has no mention yet. Definitely one of my faves, but most listed in my post are more rock than jazz. (Linda Rondstadt could go both ways - but don't read too much into that.) :yes: Sara Machlachlan's "Angel" is simply beautiful. I have always liked Linda Ronstadt too. Early (pre Prince influence :yuck:) Sheena Easton is very, very good as well. :music:

Phoebe Snow - don't hear much about her anymore.

Can't help you with much jazz... how about Janis Joplin? When she sings I can't help but believe her. One album in particular I recommend is Mama I Got Dem Cozmik Blues Again.
Fiona Apple, sexy, bluesy, honest. There's plenty-o'jazz in the assortment of songs she does, almost always with piano. Top notch engineering and recording. Not sure whether there are vinyl releases. When the Pawn... or Extrodinary Machine are worth a listen.
Good luck with your quest.

excellent female artists, imho...
regardless of genre

heck some of them transcend genre, if ya ask moi...


In no particular order, and no attempt to stick to any genre:

Irma Thomas

Marsha Ball

Aretha Franklin

Chris Clark

Tammi Terrell

Carla Thomas

Patsy Cline

Billie Holiday

Bonnie Raitt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhe3vb0z7mY&feature=related

another:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhe3vb0z7mY&feature=related

If you ever get to Austin go see Toni Price.
Not sure if she has vinyl. Hope the cigs and whiskey have
not fried her voice.

It's only one song, but: Buddy Rich (Big Swing Face) - The Beat Goes On. It's recorded very well and the little girl belts it out.

I really like Jane Monheit

Ah...then there's Miss Peggy Lee.

Try her jazz break-out "concept" album from (IIRC) 1953--beautifully reissued with extra tracks "Black Coffee".

Shirley Bassey

Used vinyl femmes of note (that I didn't see mentioned), with strong pipes and great music:


Sandy Denny

Linda Ronstadt

Judy Collins

Odetta

Maddy Prior

Lotte Lenya

Buffy St. Marie

Julie London

Lena Horn :music:

(Sorry of I missed a prior mention)

I like Carly Simon too.

See any Roberta Flack or Gloria Estavan lp's grab them!

Rachelle Ferrell - I can explain (live)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2uD_MUu55U

Phyllis Hyman - Betcha By Golly Wow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuimQ7DmeCE

Phyllis Hyman - Old Friend
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uucSuUiKvcg&feature=related

Minnie Riperton - Lovin' You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEovIIzMgjg

Minnie Riperton "Inside My Love"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VS6X_ExoLU

Angela Bofill I Try
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqfQAbGPCPA

Angela Bofill - Angel Of The Night
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/418917NJW8L._SL500_AA240_.jpg


Under Her Spell: Phyllis Hyman's Greatest Hits...this IS on vinyl
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/414BT24MWHL._SL500_AA240_.jpg

Anita Baker - Rapture
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31yCNf3q4JL._SL500_AA240_.jpg

Hmmmmpf...Pikers all...Julie London, "Her Name Is Julie", 1955. Bass, guitar, Julie. That's all you need.

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

Hmmmmpf...Pikers all...Julie London, "Her Name Is Julie", 1955. Bass, guitar, Julie. That's all you need.

I can't ever get around to playing it. I just pull the jacket from the shelves and stop there. :naughty:

I may have missed it, but I can't believe Etta James hasn't been mentioned. The Chess Records anthology "Peaches" is a must-have. Sweet and soulful, to raw and bluesy, she covers it all on this record.
(She sings "At Last" on the Jaguar commercial)
Sarah McLachlan is one that was mentioned that also amazes me with her vocal ability.

I can't ever get around to playing it. I just pull the jacket from the shelves and stop there. :naughty:

I wanna see! :D

Christine Collister

Julie Doiron

Joni Mitchell
Joan Baez
Eva Cassidy (you may not find this on vinyl)
Amanda McBroom
Judy Kuhn
Jennifer Warnes

Any suggestions for good female vocals? Something like Norah Jones, Rickie Lee Jones or Katie Melua. Great singing, but also great real music is a must. I like jazzier type stuff... nothing too cheesy, but I'm pretty open. Only looking for vinyl. Any suggestions? Especially from people who are fans of the above mentioned Artists. Sometimes I'm just in the mood to relax and melt into the couch type music.

Your terms are pretty ambiguous and open to varying personal interpretation ("great real music" ?? "cheesy" ??), but the record that popped into mind for me upon reading your post was "Striking it Rich" by Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks. This is the incarnation of the Hot Licks that I like the best, and you get two female vocalists that get to show their chops on a couple numbers. Maryann Price gets to envelope "Sweetheart" and "I'm an Old Cowhand" with her sultry voice, and Naomi Eisenberg belts out a wistful "Presently In The Past", which is not as much of an oxymoron as it sounds (I'm speaking about belting out a wistful number, not the title...). They don't solo on every cut, but those three are treasures of female singing for me, plus you get their magnum opus "I Scare Myself", with Symphony Sid Page's violin magic.


It's about 35 years old now, so finding a clean copy may involve a search, but it's one of my favorites.

--Bob

shirley horne. she's great at the piano, too.

Have a listen to this little gal..Astonishing..
http://www.oprah.com/media/20080601_tows_223022001CHARICE_O_VIDEO_1

That gal can sing.

Been watching a lot of Oparh lately? :D

Just thought of some more

Carly Simon - the older stuff - great voice

I can take some of Jewel's songs as well - she has a wonderful voice - just not all that fond of her style.

Jane Monheit - also quite good.

Sara Gazerek - another one to listen to.

Also, Christina Mars, the woman who sings with The Asylum Street Spankers, has a wonderful voice. You probably won't find that on Vinyl, either. Just get a good CD player...

One More
Amy Lee from Evanesence has a great voice

Simone Simons from the metal band Epica

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. Great music and she plays a mean Hammond B3! Try "Nothing But The Water".

Hmmmmpf...Pikers all...Julie London, "Her Name Is Julie", 1955. Bass, guitar, Julie. That's all you need.

Totally agree. That guitar player is no slouch, it's Barney Kessell.

Mercy,How could I forget Margo timmins from the
"Cowboy junkies" !!!

I like Rita Coolidge (Nice Feelin) and will throw in another vote for K.D. Lang

Audiophile stuff: Rebecca Pidgeon album "The Raven" 180gm virgin vinyl LP ( if you can find it, and you're gonna' pay dearly if you do) Also available in CD and SACD.

Not on vinyl (that I'm aware of anyway) but interesting.

*Sophie Barker, Sia Furler, and Tina Dico (aka Tina Dickow) All featured in the group Zero 7 at one time or another.

*Vivian Trimble and Josephine Wiggs. Dusty Trails. Wonderful vocals/vocal harmonies.

Here's a nice little clip of Tina Dico performing a live acoustic number in the KCRW studio:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zbs_iw2ZNJE

susan werner. dont know if she ever did vinyl though.

Hi,

Julie London (Julie Is Her Name and Calendar Girl are especially good)
Sarah Vaughan
Dakota Staton
Ella Fitzgerald
Peggy Lee
Amanda McBroom
Lee Wiley
Tina Brooks (True Blue is especially fine. CD much cheaper and easier to find)
Nancy Wilson (her Capitols are superb)
Roberta Flack

As stated, you gotta try Eva Cassidy, Live at Blues Alley and others. Sandy Denney,

My vote goes for Tori Amos or Imogen Heap

Audiophile stuff: Rebecca Pidgeon album "The Raven" 180gm virgin vinyl LP ( if you can find it, and you're gonna' pay dearly if you do) Also available in CD and SACD.

Not on vinyl (that I'm aware of anyway) but interesting.

*Sophie Barker, Sia Furler, and Tina Dico (aka Tina Dickow) All featured in the group Zero 7 at one time or another.

*Vivian Trimble and Josephine Wiggs. Dusty Trails. Wonderful vocals/vocal harmonies.

Here's a nice little clip of Tina Dico performing a live acoustic number in the KCRW studio:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zbs_iw2ZNJE

I love ZERO 7 and tried sia's album...the one with her face painted in crayons....Didn't like it too much. I think I was expecting something kind of downbeat or trippy but it wasn't. Love the tina dico link though I will check her out. Do you know of any others with the Zero 7 kind of feel to it?? Anyway another couple of female singers with cool music the band (Everything but the girl ) and the ( weekend players )

Zooey has an album out?! Very cool, love her and Leon Redbone's version of the classic Baby it's Cold. She has a wonderul, almost "vintage" way of singing.

Yeah, its really good too... I agree with your thoughts on her style.

OP, I didn't read the thread so I don't know if anyone suggested it, but the Feist album is available on vinyl and is great. Not so much jazzy, but its good stuff.

On CD, KT Tunstall, and Meiko are good singers too. Great bands on all three, great voices.

Annie Haslam -Renaissance.....ashes are burning good stuff and very tight bnd

There is a great CD by her called My Hour of Need. You said you wanted real music with it, well she is backed up by The Ike Quebec Quintet. She can wail brother and did I say with this band she can Swing too. :banana:

Any suggestions for good female vocals? Something like Norah Jones, Rickie Lee Jones or Katie Melua. Great singing, but also great real music is a must. I like jazzier type stuff... nothing too cheesy, but I'm pretty open. Only looking for vinyl. Any suggestions? Especially from people who are fans of the above mentioned Artists. Sometimes I'm just in the mood to relax and melt into the couch type music.

:music:
Can't miss with these:
Shirley Horn "Here's to Life" a MUST HAVE!!! It fits the mood you described to a tee:music:
Saraha Vaughn "How long has this been goin on":yes:
Great vocals and super quartet (Including Joe Pass) !!!!:D Fine and mellow.

Sinead O'Connor on Massive Attack's album 100th Window on vinyl sounds damn good.

I noticed none have suggested Yoko Ono.
Go figure.

:^/

I didn't page thru it all but Liz Phair is a real good time. Just don't buy Pottymouth...horrible sounding bootleg.

I noticed none have suggested Yoko Ono.
Go figure.

:^/

Hmmm let me see...the title was great female singers, not squealers...lol.

Billie Holiday is a must.
Also anything you can find with Sandy Denny. English folk/rock wonderful stuff.

Augy, If you liked the Tina Dico clip, go to this one, which is the entire session that acoustic clip was taken from. ~35 minutes.
http://www.kcrw.com/music/programs/mb/mb040929tina_dico
Click the blue "watch" button. Awesome IMHO.
I'd love to know how to permanently capture it!

There's also some Sia stuff on the KCRW site. Thanks for the tip about the Sia album. I also like the downbeat/trippy aspect of Zero 7. So I'll probably avoid the one you were talking about.

Another youtube of Tina Dico doing the song "Home" ( off Jimmy Kimmel, this time with the band Zero 7) A different flavor for sure, but I like it too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pT8Wz1fa-_4&NR=1

Got any suggestions you'd like to throw my way? Let me know.

Ohighway



I love ZERO 7 and tried sia's album...the one with her face painted in crayons....Didn't like it too much. I think I was expecting something kind of downbeat or trippy but it wasn't. Love the tina dico link though I will check her out. Do you know of any others with the Zero 7 kind of feel to it?? Anyway another couple of female singers with cool music the band (Everything but the girl ) and the ( weekend players )

I would like to suggest that you listen to Cold Blood. The band has a strong horn section with a female singer by the name of Lydia Pense. I like to describe this band as Janis Joplin playing in front of Blood Sweet and Tears. But I would have to say Lydia's voice is alot cleaner than Janis's, not as ruff.

some of my favorite ladies

Rebecca Pidgeon
Aimee Mann
Fionna Apple
Suzanne Vega

I really like Shelby Lynne's - Just A Little Lovin. She redid the songs of Dusty Springfield and does a great job.

More known for her writing and a little on the soft side:
Karla Bonoff

Try some Holly Cole or Jane Monheit - Great stuff
Regards,
Jim

Lately, I've been listening to a lot of Sara Bareilles, Ingrid Michaelson, Ani Difranco, and Patty Larkin. None are jazzy, but excellent vocalists.

JD

Check out a gal by the name of Bonnie Bishop. She's considered a "Texas Music" artist. Basically a soulful blend of folk, blues, and country. She's really good!

Youtube has some of her stuff if interested.

Another female artist I really like is Mindy Smith. She has a wonderful voice and a lot of her songs are very good.

In no particular order:
Sandy Denny
Irma Thomas
Linda Thompson
Angela Strehli
Ella Fitzgerald
Alison Krauss
Dinah Washington
Marcia Ball
Etta James
Mahalia Jackson

you could do worse.:D

Try P.J. Harvey for something a little different, I think you will regret it not. Polly Jean is superb, in concert and in studio. Howling vocalist and an excellent guitarist, too.

In no particular order:
Sandy Denny
Irma Thomas
Linda Thompson
Angela Strehli
Ella Fitzgerald
Alison Krauss
Dinah Washington
Marcia Ball
Etta James
Mahalia Jackson

you could do worse.:D

... but hard to do much better. :thmbsp:

Thanks, pmsummer. You are a wise and insightful man!

saw this thread after (kinda) organizing my collection

anybody mention cowboy junkies' whites off earth now?

cowboy junkies-trinity sessions
pretenders-isle of view

I really like Shelby Lynne's - Just A Little Lovin. She redid the songs of Dusty Springfield and does a great job.
that album makes me feel all mmmmmmmmm inside :music:

Deborah Holland. She sings lead and wrote all (?) the songs on the Animal Logic albums which are available on LP and currently sings with Wendy Waldman and Cindy Bullens as The Refugees. My favorite since Judy Collins.

If it has not been mentioned. I suggest a Sheffield Lab Direct disc recording of Thelma Houston and Pressure Cooker titled "I've Got The Music In Me". I first bought the LP version and also later found a CD version. Great stuff to crank up!

Amazing Delores -Stop Messin' with my Mind
She's amazing. Although probably not what you had in mind.
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=129170&stc=1&d=1231788928

You should give a listen to the this:

http://store.acousticsounds.com/browse_detail.cfm?Title_ID=12678

One of the best female recorded voices I've heard.

If it has not been mentioned. I suggest a Sheffield Lab Direct disc recording of Thelma Houston and Pressure Cooker titled "I've Got The Music In Me". I first bought the LP version and also later found a CD version. Great stuff to crank up!
Still have an unopened copy of this LP somewhere.

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll108/Sweet-Old-Bill/speakers/All_Or__Nothing_At_All.jpg

I am surprised that no suggested Sade, or is it just me?

I like Sade, and for female classic jazz, Dinah Washington, Ella, Sarah Vaughn.

In no particular order:
Sandy Denny
Irma Thomas
Linda Thompson :D
Angela Strehli
Ella Fitzgerald
Alison Krauss
Dinah Washington
Marcia Ball
Etta James
Mahalia Jackson

you could do worse.:D
Got agree with most of these, but especially Linda Thompson!!!:thmbsp:

I would add Emmylou Harris and Sade to the list above.
Has anyone mentioned T-Bone Burnett's wife Sam Phillips?
And what of Joni Mitchell?

Fairly obscure, but good, nonetheless.
Lou Ann Barton
Marshall Chapmann

Have you ever listened to the "Brand New Heavies"? Excellent British jazz-funk band, with American vocalists N'dea Davenport or Siedah Garret depending on what year. These guys can really play, good good drummer, I don't think they've ever used a drum machine. Whether it's N'dea or Siedah on vocals, either way they rule!

Here are some YouTube links :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHM3-TtCK9I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOHwqdv20E0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ddKjtaezYQ

Lee
http://www.youtube.com/crazyleesonic

Patricia Barber Modern Cool on MFSL is by far one of my favorites,her cafe Blue on MSFL is also excellent. Sade Lovers Rock is musical art........

Amber Webber singing in the band Lightning Dust on the track Castles and Caves
http://www.myspace.com/lightningdust

Marketa Irglova from the band The Swell Season
http://www.myspace.com/theswellseason

Anyone heard of Jazz singer Cleo Laine?? I have a 45. I have not heard it yet. Looks to be in OK condition. Also have a Rosemary Clooney 45. Looks to be in very good condotion. Also have 2 45's of Marian McPartland, looks to be good.

Greg

don't know if Etta Jones has been mentioned, but she's definitely worth a listen.

Its definitely not jazz, and you probably won't find it on vinyl, but check out blackmore's night. They're incredible to say the least.

Has Kirsty MaColl been mentioned yet?

Patti Rothberg-Between The 1 And The 9.
A great, great record from the mid 90's!!
Patti blasted onto the scene, then disappeared when EMI went bust.

Check out Julia Fordham, Very good sounding recordings and a very silky voice,

...
Peggy Lee
Amanda McBroom
Lee Wiley
Tina Brooks



Tina was an excellent hard bop tenor saxophonist and composer, but wasn't much of a singer. Tina was also of the male gender, nee Harold Floyd Brooks, was known to friends as "Tina". :smoke:

Speaking of jazz, the OP might try some Kitty White, a 50s jazz vocalist, she of the sophisticated song with well-traveled lyrics. Lots of the "other woman" theme in the Kitty White oeuvre.

Chrissy Hynde
K.D Lang
Annie Lennox
The Indigo Girls
Natalie in 10,000 Maniacs

Female vocals seem to sound better with age, (mine that is)

OK anyone mention Carmen Lundy? Man this woman has an amazing set of pipes!! A little on the jazzy blues side. www.carmenlundy.com
Try Self Portrait! Pretty much everyone else has been touched on already.