In no particular order:
Annie Lennox
Aretha Franklin
Christina Aguliera
Shamshad Begum
Sade
(And though it doesn’t sing, Happy Birthday to WordPress.com, it has served me well! And an Honorable mention to Mrs. Jose Lima because she’s hot…)
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This entry was posted on August 16, 2006 at 11:40 pm and is filed under Annie Lennox, Aretha Franklin, blog networks, Christina Aguilera, evidence of God, five, greatest, music, Sade, Shamshad Begum, subjective, women, women I would marry, wordpress, wordpress news, wordpress.com. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments. You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.
August 17, 2006 at 6:22 pm
Nice to see something about music! Nice choices but I think Mariah should have made the list. I love her voice.
August 17, 2006 at 6:52 pm
Nice. Lucinda Williams is on my list:
August 17, 2006 at 7:08 pm
I was going to chime in and say how could you miss Ella Fitzgerald (by far and away the best female singer of all time) but then I caught the “alive” part
Ertha Kit is still alive and that’s a voice that sold millions of records..and would certainly make my list….but Char, Christina Aguliera? WTF, if this was the case you’d have to include Miriah Carey…sure she’s sh*t now, but her very first record demonstrated an exceptional vocal talent…which she seems to have unfortunately lost now.
August 17, 2006 at 7:12 pm
Mariah’s first album was great. The song ‘Vanishing’ is one of the greatest songs ever.
Christina really has a voice. A surprisingly good voice. Really.
And her new double album will debut at number one next week.
August 17, 2006 at 8:56 pm
Aimee Mann
August 17, 2006 at 9:10 pm
Christina was in Letterman show last night… she’s very good… the singing
August 17, 2006 at 9:40 pm
So Char, what’s your opinion on YouTube’s announcement that they are seeking a deal with the major labels to host thousands of music videos on the site within the next 18 months?
[source]
August 17, 2006 at 9:48 pm
Your link doesn’t work but I know the story.
Everyone will say it kills iTunes charging for music videos.
But the real target is MTV. (No one buys music videos anyway)
Watch Viacom make a real effort to purchase Youtube.
A bird in L.A. though told me YouTube is thinking of going public…(you read it here first!)
August 17, 2006 at 9:53 pm
http://technology.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,1852846,00.html
http://www.todayonline.com/articles/137131.asp
August 17, 2006 at 9:55 pm
But what I really find interesting are folks who uses Fred’s strategy. Why bother talking to YouTube?
August 17, 2006 at 9:58 pm
Hmm…well for anyone interested you can go to Reuters.com and do a news search for youtube (it was a featured story last Tuesday).
If Viacom is successful or they do indeed go public, will that be a gain or loss in traction for them? Of course it worked for Google and MySpace — but will it work for YouTube and their businessmodel?
I’m kinda mixed on how that kind of strategy would play out.
August 17, 2006 at 10:29 pm
Norah has officially been dissed.
August 17, 2006 at 10:36 pm
And what about Joss Stone (link tracksback to a post about her on my blog)?
August 17, 2006 at 10:40 pm
Norah Jones?
Joss Stone?
Very Good is not great…
And Norah is only Good…tighten up Andy!
And now that I think about it, Joss Stone has yet to sing a great song.
Anistasia…maybe. Those two? Nah…
August 17, 2006 at 11:03 pm
Char you like the chicks that can belt it out….
I prefer the understated, “sing me to sleep….and then sing me awake” types
Plus, you gotta hand it to any chick that can throw down with Ray Charles and Dolly without missing a beat!
August 17, 2006 at 11:30 pm
Best female vocalist depends entirely on what type of music a person likes.
I vote for:
(1) Grace Slick
(2) Joni Mitchell
(3) Latitia Sadier (STEREOLAB)
(4) Billie Holiday
(5) vocalist of Deerhoof
I hate “belt out” music.
August 17, 2006 at 11:31 pm
I’d add to that list –
Etta James
Tina Turner
Shirley Bassey
Gladys Knight
Patti LaBelle
Natalie Cole
The new breed, even though I too like Christina, can’t compete head-to-head with old school
August 18, 2006 at 12:44 am
I’m found personally of Norah Jones, but she’s the Michael Bubble of female jazz, fresh edge to whats been done in the past…certainly whilst she’s enjoyable to the ear, I don’t believe her style of singing is particularly challenging vocally…unless she’s scating somewhere and I missed it
August 18, 2006 at 12:44 am
sorry, that should be fond.
August 18, 2006 at 11:51 am
can’t believe no one has mentioned sinead oconnor yet.
she beats everyone.
by a lot.
August 18, 2006 at 12:13 pm
This is THE List
Harriet Wheeler from The Sundays
Patty Griffin
Sara McLaughlin
Aimee Mann
August 18, 2006 at 12:24 pm
I was just going to mention Sinead.
I’d add:
Nico (if she’s still living) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZmb1gDBC0
Joan Armatrading http://youtube.com/watch?v=Kl3i1GMuyeU
Siouxsie Sioux http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7RWb-8Izv0
August 18, 2006 at 12:50 pm
Bjork
August 19, 2006 at 5:20 am
I agree with the list, but I would include one more.
Julia Fordham.
August 19, 2006 at 7:21 am
A few of my favourites:
Lauryn Hill (US – ex Fugees, born again hip-hop/folk singer)
Cassandra Wilson (US – Jazz singer who blows me away, especially the Miles Davis covers)
Anoushka Shankar (UK/India – Ravi’s daughter)
Beth Gibbons (UK – ex Portishead)
Lisa Gerrard (Australia – ex Dead Can Dance)
Hajime Chitose (Japan – From Oshima island, uses traditional singing technique, “it is said that her voice has a relaxing effect that has been observed in electroencephalograms taken from the brains of people listening to her singing” wikipedia- I thought that was the case for all good vocalists
)
Cesaria Evora (Cape Verde – pure lyrical soul)
August 19, 2006 at 8:59 am
lauryn hill for two records – the score and her solo record
sinead o’connor forever
lucinda williams for her grit
annie lennox – agreed
joss stone – because she’s gonna sing some great songs
and my nomination for the best ever is nina simone
August 19, 2006 at 5:20 pm
Siouxsie Sioux of the Banshees is really terrific. I put the YouTube video of “Israel” on my blog a while back and got some good reactions to it.
Sorry about adding a dead singer to my list.
You must all go see the video The Revver Interns, the funniest, cutest video I have seen so far. It’s at the YouTube competitor:
http://www.revver.com
I am not paid to say this, in fact I’m not paid to do anything. I do it for Passion, and not Mel Gibson’s stupid fantasy film, the real Passion of self-motivating happy action.
August 19, 2006 at 5:28 pm
You forget the spoken word! Maya Angelou! Come on people one doesn’t need to sing to have a great voice! Ahem! Ahem!
August 19, 2006 at 5:33 pm
Link to that fine video of child actors that blows away almost every other video I’ve ever seen:
The Revver Interns
August 20, 2006 at 4:53 am
Good list, and I’ll agree with giving Sinead an honorable mention.
Nothing compares 2 her voice and some good Prince lyrics.
August 20, 2006 at 6:38 am
i think Neko Case might have to be on my list too.
what a voice and she’s getting better every record.
August 20, 2006 at 11:38 am
Nothing compares 2 U is an awesome and she has the best version.
Neko is good but I think that what makes a singer great is having the right song at the right time.
That hasn’t happened yet for a lot of great voices.
Whitney Houston used to have a good voice. Then she had one or two great song and despite her fall into drug oblivion she’ll be in the Hall Of Fame. Joss Stone and Neko will never make it until they get the right songs.
Of course wtf do I know? I’m a Pet Shop Boys fan!
August 26, 2006 at 11:32 pm
Christina has the best voice here. She has the ability to do high pitch sounds and keeping it strong. Unlike Mariah who had a high pitch voice and it was squeeky. Christina can be soft and high but with a powerful voice. She really has everything. I love her.
August 29, 2006 at 3:45 pm
Doris Day is still alive you bozos
August 29, 2006 at 6:45 pm
Sorry Mr. Day!
September 2, 2006 at 1:09 am
what do u think about alanis???
September 20, 2006 at 5:41 am
Lizz Wright has such a terrific voice, perfect pich whether soft or loud. Check out “Dreaming Wide Awake’ and “Salt”. Absolutely fantastic!
September 21, 2006 at 12:59 pm
christina is the best voice on the list just listen to her first album and her last album
September 23, 2006 at 3:19 pm
I didnt see anyone even mention WHITNEY HOUSTON she is one of the greatest vocalists of all time she has such an amazing voice and she top on my list!
October 5, 2006 at 6:11 am
Judith Durham of The Seekers
October 7, 2006 at 5:57 am
It’s just a matter of time before you realise that Rita Coolidge should be at the top of your lists
October 8, 2006 at 6:39 am
No english language female singer is as good as Tracy Chapman.
January 27, 2007 at 9:35 pm
Those singers have great voices. Christina is the best for me. Love her.
February 7, 2007 at 10:32 pm
Leann Rimes’ voice is the best !!!
March 14, 2007 at 8:11 am
Regine velasquez (philippines), Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin and Cristina Aguilera
March 19, 2007 at 7:06 am
CHRISTINA is certainly the BEST in this category!
March 19, 2007 at 7:07 am
initially, i am not a fan of chrisitna but as iv listened to her 2 last albums i instantly became a HUGE FAN of HER! CHRISTINA is SIMPLY TALENTED!!!!
April 21, 2007 at 6:13 pm
Amy Lee
June 14, 2007 at 7:55 am
Celine Dion Surely!!!
She has an amazing voice!
June 16, 2007 at 5:47 pm
Marilyn McCoo and Dianne Reeves should also be considered. “Come to the River” from Dianne’s “Art and Survival” is unparalleled.
July 13, 2007 at 12:15 pm
Wow… after reading all those my list is a bit longer… my hat goes off to:
early mariah for sure- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1ZLMvV3Tig is pretty much a 3minute aria*early whitney- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayb0qKGEMzg & early letterman performances are perfect*karen carpenter-’pure of tone, chest deep & heartachingly unadorned’*tori amos*stevie nicks*tracy chapman*harriet wheeler*regina spektor*sade*sinead o’connor*roisin murphy
August 18, 2007 at 5:33 pm
the five best singers alive… i like classic rock i don,t like country. i like hard rock, i never listen to soft rock. i like groups, i don,t like solo artists. the five best singers alive…one of them has to be LeAnn Rimes.
September 6, 2007 at 5:01 pm
yeah right! Enya, Celine Dion, Emma Shapplin, get into youtube and look for the song spente le stelle, all you guyses artists suck
September 29, 2007 at 7:59 am
When asking yourself what makes a great female vocal you have to ponder several things. Does the vocals resonate deep with in your soul, and is the material timeless. With that in mind here is my list of GREAT FEMALE VOCALS in no real order
1. Chaka Khan
2. Sade
3. Billie Holiday
4. Sade
5. Phyliss Hyman
6. Etta James
7. Dinah Washington
8. Annie Lenox
9.Anita Baker
10. Angela Bofil
11. Betty Wright
12. Sarah Vaughn
13. Aretha Franklin
14. Minnie Riperton
15. Anne Nesby
16. Mahalia Jackson
.17 Mavis Staples
18. Janis Joplin
19. Mama Case
20. Gladys Knight
21. The Heart Sisters
22. Maysa
23. Nina Simone
24. Ella Fitzgerald
25. Roberta Flack
26. Rosie Gaines
27. Caron Wheeler
28. Stevie Nicks
29. Bette Midler – The Rose Album
October 8, 2007 at 3:09 am
[...] Lennox – Songs of Mass Destruction. Put together a top 5 list of the best female singers alive and she’s bound to be [...]
October 18, 2007 at 10:10 pm
I think the four greatest female voices are : (in particular order)
Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera , Mariah Carey and Celine Dion .
October 20, 2007 at 6:59 am
Its imposible talk about music without do mention about MARIAH CAREY and WHITNEY HOUSTON…. they are LEGENDS.. without doubts… and i think that mrs aguilera has a long road to cross if she wants to be like Mariah or Whitney.
October 23, 2007 at 9:09 am
Greatest Female Voices of All Time
1. Barbra Streisand (the only human being to have won an Oscar, Grammy, Emmy, Tony, and Obie)
2. Celine Dion (Titanic hits with nine-digit monetary values, enough said)
3. Mariah Carey (her number-one hits are more enduring and her vocal acrobatics more goosehair-raising)
4. Whitney Houston (top-grossing diva but only for a brief golden period before drug addiction)
5. Diana Ross (first black diva to break through the glass barrier)
6. Gladys Knight
7. Lani Misalucha (Diva’s Diva can outperform #1 to #6)
8. Aretha Franklin (the Queen of Soul has already been inducted into the Hall of Fame)
9. Christina Aguilera (she’s already acknowledged as being several cuts above her contemporaries, i.e. Britney Spears, and even Alicia Keys and Kelly Clarkson)
10. Beyonce Knowles (younger diva has amazing versatility)
Greatest Male Voices of All Time
1. Frank Sinatra (strong golden voice and Old World charm of the classic macho man)
2. Sammy Davis Jr (artistic versatility that ranges from A-to-Z)
3. Bono (embodies the endurance of U2 and the charity worthy of a Nobel Peace Prize)
4. Andrea Boccelli (he made high-brow opera more accessible to the unsophisticated)
5. Stevie Wonder (prolific genius as a singer and as a songwriter)
6. Peabo Bryson (smooth, suave, elegant voice equivalent to a host of angels)
7. James Ingram (rough hefty voice that men may kill for)
8. Phil Collins (unpolished diamond voice and mushy love-songs fit for the masses)
9. Michael Jackson (King of Pop actually has a vocal range from a diabolic guttural to a cherub’s lilt)
10. Josh Groban (his refined, cultured ways make him the legitimate successor to Luciano Pavarotti)
November 10, 2007 at 5:50 pm
I just stumbled on this, but, even tho i’m late, i have to say, i can’t belive Kelly Clarkson isn’t on your list. She is better than Christina A. she knows how to use her voice better, and has no need to go on all those vocal runs christina enjoys so much. Check out this LIVE performance from Kelly from Sept. of 07′, and tell me she doesn’t deserve to be listed amongst the best.
July 7, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Barbra Streisand !!! obviously !!! she´s the best, who else?, ahm, Minnie Riperton, lovely voice, Karen Carpenter clearly voice, Whitney, Mariah, Donna Summer, Ella Fitzegarld, Aretha Franklin, Chaka Kan, Dionne Warwick…. anyway i love them
July 8, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Any list of the greatest female singers without mention of Barbra Streisand is just invalid. Her voice is incomparable. Period.
September 11, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Amy Winehouse.
October 7, 2008 at 5:10 pm
CHARICE IS THE GREATEST VOICE OF ALL YOUNG GENERATION ALIVE
NUMBER ONE ALL OVER THE WORLD PERIOD…….
March 24, 2009 at 4:45 am
Céline Dion DEFINITELY!!!