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PAUL'S FAVORITE SINGERS
Recently my friends on the Asimov's magazine discussion board listed their favorite female singers. As it happens, I prefer female vocalists, so most of my favorites already fit the bill.
For your edification, I shall list them here. Some are 'classic rock' performers, while others released their first albums in 2007.
Most, if not all, of these artists can be found on iTunes, and doubtless on many similar music download services. Not to mention your favorite local retail music stores. Enjoy!
I generally prefer talent over packaging, as I think most who read this web page will agree. I also favor singer-songwriters over heavily 'backed' band members. Some exceptions would be Joan Osbourne's against-the-grain "What If God Was One of Us," and Stevie Nicks' haunting "Beautiful Child."
My favorites by far are from the new outpouring of Folk singer-songwriters.
First up are my very favorites, from whom I've gathered many songs, from iTunes and (our local shop) Rasputin Music. In rough order of preference, from best on down:
Vienna Teng, Mariee Sioux, Rachael Davis, Mindy Smith, Shauna Burns, Eliza Gilkyson, Heather Dale, Tracy Grammer, Beth Patterson, The Wailin' Jennys, Antje Duvekot, and Annagrey.
There are so many talented folk-ish artists, I find more every time I go searching. I've downloaded one or more songs from each of these singers/artists/bands. In alphabetical order:
Gabrielle Angelique, Emily Asen, Holly Brook, Jonatha Brooke, Vashti Bunyan, Kate Campbell, Eliza Carthy, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Kris Delmhorst, Alela Diane, Nancy K. Dillon, Eliesha Eagle, Penny Flanagan, Paula Frazer, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Patty Griffen, Alina Estelle Hardin, Sarah Harmer, Shannon Heaton, Lara Herscovitch, Meg Hutchinson, Donna Hughes, Marketa Irglova, Diana Jones, Lucy Kaplansky, Shannon Karen, Dolores Keane, Sonya Kitchell, Patty Larkin, Holly Long, Claire Lynch, Elenor McEvoy, Nellie McKay, Natalie Merchant, Carrie Newcomer, Flo Paris, Victoria Parks, Karine Polwart, Vicki Randle, Brenda Russell, Cathie Ryan, Jenny Scheinman, Becky Schlegel, Judee Sill, Emily Singleton, Heidi Talbot, Rosie Thomas, Rhonda Vincent, Beth Waters, Corinne West, Cheryl Wheeler, Karyn White, Dar Williams, and Kate Wolf.
Plus the female-lead bands Azure Ray, The Cottars, Dust Poets, Gypsy Soul, The Knitters, Po' Girl, Storyhill, The Rankin Family, etc.
By the way, I found many of these wonderful new talents on Folk Alley. Check 'em out!
Country singers:
Iris DeMent, Holly Dunn, Sara Evans, Mary Gauthier, Crystal Gayle, Nanci Griffith, Laurie Lewis, Loretta Lynn, Martina McBride, JoDee Messina, Dolly Parton, Leann Rhimes, and others.
Plus the Country/Bluegrass bands Mountain Heart and Nickle Creek.
Pop hits:
(A handful of songs apiece from) Abba, Tori Amos, Joan Baez, Bangles, Julee Cruise, Indigo Girls, Ivy, Chantal Kreviazuk, Avril Lavigne, Sarah McLachlan, Joni Mitchell, Alannah Myles, Linda Ronstadt, Suzanne Vega, Kate Voegele, etc.
Big Band sound too modern for you?
Two-girl Flappers revival: The Ditty Bops
Celtic:
Frances Black, Mary Black, Karan Casey, Enya, Mary Fahl, Belinda "Bill" Jones, Sharron Kraus, Loreena McKennitt, and Cathie Ryan; plus the female-lead bands Alathea, Altan, Anuna, Deanta, Iona, Solas, etc.
Christian:
BarlowGirl, Cynthia Clawson, Kim Hill, Nightnoise, Plumb, etc.
From Down Under:
Kasey Chambers
Native American:
Joanne Shenandoah
Early American songs (and instruments):
The Trail Band
Instrumental:
Jenny Lin, Lynn Saoirse
Plus a few guys and their bands!
Philip Aaberg, Charlie Daniels, Commander Cody, Creedence Clearwater Revival, John Denver, Neil Diamond, Donovan, Simon & Garfunkle, Lee Greenwood, Arlo Guthrie, Ray Lynch, Don McLean, Vangelis, etc.
I've not mentioned some "on everyone's list" major bands and pop singers (plus show tunes, etc.), past and present. In any case, I often don't care for most of their songs. For example, I've liked the Beatles from the first time I heard them, on the Ed Sullivan Show, but have never cared for the Rolling Stones.
If any one of these artists, living (or in some cases, otherwise), doesn't have a web site, and probably some review and fan sites, I'd be awfully surprised. No links from here, as yet, but it's a moment's work to search via their names.
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