Top 5 most soulful female vocalists

[mvd]

All genres can be considered for this question. It's whatever vocals stir your soul the most - not the genre they are in.

My picks:

Aretha Franklin
Janis Joplin
Billie Holiday
Mahalia Jackson
Dusty Springfield

[jpgray]

1. Nina Simone (nt)

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

2. This is an easy one

Britney Spears
Ashlee Simpson
Paris Hilton (album coming out)
Tiffany
Hilary Duff

[sendero]

4. Attention..

.... we need a soul-detector repairman on aisle 3!

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

5. ....

:evilgrin: :evilgrin: :evilgrin: :evilgrin: :evilgrin: :evilgrin: :evilgrin:


My real list:

Sarah Vaughan
Phyllis Hyman
Bessie Smith
Roberta Flack
Ella Fitzgerald

[mvd]

6. LOL

I know it's a joke, but I really am not a fan of any of them (though Tiffany's recent album really was great) - and I like pop.

[khashka]

19. Go directly to hell. Do not pass GO. Do not collect $200

Khash.

[newsguyatl]

3. nina simone

and kelly price

[intheflow]

7. Aretha, of course.

Then

Susan Tesdeschi
Michelle Shocked
Shelby Lynne
Tina Turner

[samplegirl]

8. SADE

also Norah Jones

[no name no slogan]

9. Liz Fraser (of Cocteau Twins fame)

No, you can't tell what the hell she's saying, but that voice!...

[jpgray]

10. I got nothing on that pass--"Peep peep hole?!"

She's great, though NME went a little overboard in their Liz praise. :o

[no name no slogan]

11. LOL!!!

I'm listening to Treasure right now-- and just got done with "Ivo" (the aforementioned track)

And you're completely right about the NME. It's generally shite anyway, IMO

[jpgray]

13. "Lorelei" is probably my favorite on that album

But I -hate- that echoey drum machine snare.

[khashka]

22. For me it's "Persephone"

Khash.

[khashka]

20. You can't tell what she's singing

because she is singing nonsense syllables and random words.
But... Oh my great gods ain't it gorgeous!

Khash.

[chaska]

12. Lisa Fischer is the best singer in the world ... bar none.

[Flaxbee]

14. Etta James is hard to beat.

She's got a terrific voice. Koko Taylor, too. Katie Webster, Ruth Brown.

[blondeatlast]

17. Etta and Billie Holliday, for certain. nt

[Tallison]

42. Ever heard of Odetta?

She actually reminds me a little of Etta James. Heard her for the first time a few weeks ago, even though she's been around since the 50's. Great pipes and interpretation.

[caty]

15. Taylor Dane

[borlis]

16. Anita Baker and Toni Braxton n/t

[lpbk2713]

18. Gladys Knight --- She could sing the yellow pages

and it would bring me to tears.


Classy lady too.

[bliss_eternal]

24. When I was a little girl, I thought she was the most beautiful

woman in the world!

And yes, she probably could sing the yellow pages. LOL! Good one!

Definitely soulful!

[mvd]

26. Gladys was one I was considering for my list

She'd certainly be in my top 10.

[khashka]

21. My obvious 5

In no particular order:

KaTe Bush
Tori Amos
Janis Joplin
Courtney Love (yeah, well, fuck you!)
Kirsty MacColl


Khash.

[mvd]

23. Good to see Courtney on your list

Yes, she has one of the most haunting rock voices..

[elshiva]

28. Yep on Kate Bush

Bessie Smith
Dusty Springfield
Phranc
Joni Mitchell

[khashka]

36. Phranc? COOL

You're probably the only person on DU besides me who knows who she is. Unfortunately my mom stold my Phranc cds :( (She's a Phranc fan).

All great choices.... I don't think I could live without Bessie Smith - she's like food or water or air, essential to life....

Khash.

[ProfessorGAC]

30. Eeeep!

There is nothing soulful about screeching. Singing hard and singing soulfully aren't the same thing. I can go with the other four, and you "pre-insulted" me, so you don't have to reply. But, Courtney Love? Eeeep, again! (BTW: Been a big Kate fan since the very early 80's.)
The Professor

[mvd]

31. Well, we don't always agree on music

It's something we can agree to disagree on. I had no idea that was an insult on you, though. :-(

[khashka]

37. Depends what you mean by soulfull

If it means wrenching out your deepest emotions and singing them... then Courtney is a contender. I offer up "America's Sweetheart" and especially "Live Through This".

I only pre-insulted you Prof because people know about her rather tawdry and pathetic life and discount her without ever knowing her music. Can anyone really listen to "Pieces of Jennifer's Body" without being moved? or "Uncool"? And it's not just the lyrics or music, it's Courtney's voice as well. Or "Doll Parts"?

There are places in "America's Sweetheart" where she reminds me of Janis Joplin...

Different strokes for different folks, different scenes for different genes. And that's cool. (If we were all the same and all liked the same things - the world would be a very boring place, indeed.)

You disagree with some of my choices, cool. But step up to the plate, boy, and post yours :)

Khash.

[bliss_eternal]

25. I was rather impressed by Christina Aguilera singing

"I am Beautiful"--her voice goes straight to my heart. I thought she did a great job with her part on Lady Marmalade, too.

Everyone has named many if not all of my favorites above. Just felt I needed to add this one.

[MN ChimpH8R]

27. Julie Driscoll

who used to sing with Brian Auger & The Trinity back in late 1960s. In-freaking-credible.

[Spider Jerusalem]

29. Nina Simone

Mahalia Jackson
Billie Holiday
Elizabeth Fraser
Sarah Vaughn

[MissMillie]

32. Patsy's voice was full of soul!!!!!

Patsy Cline!

[mvd]

33. Great choice!

Country-soul at its finest. One of my top 2 singers overall.

[khashka]

40. Damn right!

I detest country music.... but I keep Patsy on my iPod.

Crazy, Walking After Midnight.... that girl could not only singer her heart out but yours as well.

Khash.

[alcibiades_mystery]

34. Nina Simone

Riught up there with Aretha and Billie, and miles ahead of the other three.

[mvd]

35. While I like Nina..

I wouldn't replace any of my 5 with her.

[Kahuna]

38. My picks..

Aretha
Patty LaBelle
Etta James
Carla Thomas
Mille Jackson

[LostinVA]

39. Karen Carpenter

[Redstone]

41. What? No votes for Joan Armatrading?

S'okay, Joanie, I still love you, even if these people don't appreciate you.

REdstone