That thread about guitar pickers was such a success. . .

[cohenzone]

In no particular order -


Re: Natalie Main - the poster child for how to open your mouth and blow your career.

Current female favs - Adele, Kelly Clarkson

While I thought personally that Main spoke the truth, it was definitely not well thought out, probably spur of the moment, especially given the genre she's in which I'd guess doesn't have the largest left of center audience in the world.

Agree on Adele, whose second album I liked much better than her first. The woman has made a fortune in one year.

If you haven't gone to a Clarkson concert, try one. Yeah, a lot of screaming teenies, but her voice eats up a room without her having to do the Kate Perry glitzy stuff, and she's got a wonderful personality to boot.

 

[vtcwbuff]

A little of Ms Clarkson - Probably the most successful of the AI alums.

As for Maines - It wasn't so much what she said but the where and the when.

 

[vtcwbuff]

Hidden Gem:

Eva Cassidy - Over the Rainbow

Why you might have never heard of her:

The Eva Cassidy Story

Alum - Not a female singer but my all time favorite version of the song. Iz Kamakawiwo

 

[meyers7]

A little of Ms Clarkson - Probably the most successful of the AI alums.

I believe Carrie Underwood has had a bit more success (not much though). Not that I like either one.

 

[Icebear]

Alum - Not a female singer but my all time favorite version of the song. Iz Kamakawiwo

A great piece but unfortunately over used commercially. Iz was one of a kind.

 

[meyers7]

A great piece but unfortunately over used commercially. Iz was one of a kind.

Not sure that version can be overused.

 

[cohenzone]

I believe Carrie Underwood has had a bit more success (not much though). Not that I like either one.

I think in the US that's true but when worldwide sales are counted, it isn't close and widely in favor Clarkson.

 

[johnnyc]

Dinah Washington
Billie Holiday
Ella Fitzgerald
Judy Garland
Patsy Cline
Aretha Franklin
Karen Carpenter

 

[meyers7]

I think in the US that's true but when worldwide sales are counted, it isn't close and widely in favor Clarkson.

Nobody counts worldwide sales. It's "American Idol".

 

[cohenzone]

Nobody counts worldwide sales. It's "American Idol".

Betcha her accountant counts world wide sales. If Clarkson went country, she'd likely do as well as Underwood. AI is the show, and has nothing to do with whether or not the contestants have the wider appeal of a world audience. I guess by your measure, Adele couldn't count sales outside of Great Britain of she'd won, say Britain's X Factor.

 

[meyers7]

Betcha her accountant counts world wide sales.

Irrelevant to discussion.

If Clarkson went country, she'd likely do as well as Underwood.

Who knows?? She might do worse?? She's barely behind her as is.

AI is the show, and has nothing to do with whether or not the contestants have the wider appeal of a world audience.

Exactly, only how they do in America. (like I said)

I guess by your measure, Adele couldn't count sales outside of Great Britain of she'd won, say Britain's X Factor.

Again, irrelevant to the conversation. Adele was not on AI.

 

[cohenzone]

Meyers. glad to see you seem to be raring to go post-op.

Not to belabor this, but your original point was about sales. You didn't say sales in the US or anything about the AI connection until after I noted the worldwide numbers, which I'd wager mean something in the real world. This thread in general didn't relate to favorite US singers or else, say Callas doesn't belong on anybody's list nor does Adele. Peace and love.

 

[Creaky]

Jazz: Billie Holiday. She had the blues in her bones. I love Ella, the greatest voice ever, but she didn't.
Classical (for roughly Dowland through Mozart): Emma Kirkby. Little knowledge of lieder and opera voices.

And I don't know how you'd classify her, but I do love Cape Verdian Cesaria Evora.

 

[Buzzyboy]

Jazz - Maysa (fantastic delivery)

R & B - Gladys Knight (when with the Pips, the best entertainment and the best value)

Country - Dolly Parton (great presentation, nice voice, excellent writer)

Folk - Janis Ian ( a one hit wonder with Society's Child)

Broadway - Stephanie Mills (the reason I refuse to watch the movie version is because the powers that be, namely
Berry Gordy, decided to rewrite The Wiz and cast Diana Ross in the lead; Huge mistake) It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about Ms Mills singing the Home Finale. I just recently had the pleasure of seeing/hearing Audra McDonald in Porgy and Bess; Excellente

Classical - Kathleen Battle (great, great voice. but, everything you have heard and read about her diva tendencies are readily apparent)

One performance, One song - Vann Johnson singing lead on Yanni's Love Is All.

 

[Buzzyboy]

Janis Ian was definitely not a one hit wonder. Her album with Society's Child featured some wonderful lyrical music and that was at the age of 15 1/2. Later she sang "when I was 17" and one of her later albums featured a song called "Stars" that was magical. I love Natalie Merchant for her completely unique sound and I'm also a fan of Patty Griffin whose done some wonderful stuff. You gotta give Linda Ronstadt a lot of love as well. She's done a phenomenal amount of great stuff including some redo's on some great artists music that she may have exceeded. Aretha Franklin has done some magificent stuff and Celine Dion must have something because she played in Vegas for about 3 years. There are numerous women, some even locals (Florida) that have taken my breath away with their wondrous vocals. I know I'm missing some other greats but my brain doesn't retain a whole lot of information anymore.

 

[Buzzyboy]

Me gots an E C album.

I have to thank you because I just submitted a reply and completely forgot about Eva Cassidy. I don't think I've ever heard a song more enchanting then her version of "Somewhere over the Rainbow" that completely blows away Judy Garland and everyone else I've ever heard sing that. For her to die in her early thirties, before she really made any kind of name for herself (like Van Gogh and others) was horrific. I can only imagine the music that might have generated from those pipes if she had some of the better song writers writing material for her. A terrible loss to anyone who loves music. By the way, I found a version of "somewhere over the rainbow" on youtube that was totally awesome and gave me massive goosebumps.

 

[alexrgct]

Tori Amos sings like a sexy angel.

Amy Lee is pretty phenomenal.

Beth Orton and Fiona Apple had some good stuff in the 90s.

From a classic rock perspective, I'm partial to Grace Slick and Stevie Nicks. The Wilsons of Heart were good too.

Patsy Cline was the real deal.

Ella is indeed eternal and immortal.

 

[Buzzyboy]

Dinah Washington
Billie Holiday
Ella Fitzgerald
Judy Garland
Patsy Cline
Aretha Franklin
Karen Carpenter

I'm not sure how many people could identify more than 3 songs that Judy Garland ever sang and most would probably only be able to name "somewhere over the rainbow". She had some singing talent but were she not in so many movies, particularly musicals and with her all around talent, I doubt many would even remember her name at all. I guess a little bit of her celebrity was due to her sorrowful life and her addictions, both men, booze and drugs after becoming America's sweetheart in the Wizard of Oz plus her movies with Mickey Rooney in the 40's. All I'm saying is insofar as a vocalist, she's not in the same ballpark as most everybody else mentioned by others in their posts.

 

[speedoo]

Fleetwood Mac did have a great female singer at one time.

Her name is Christine McVie. Christine Perfect before her marriage.

(see youtube video from VH1, 1977, "You Make Lovin' Fun")

 

[vtcwbuff]

Underwood vs Clarkson. Underwood's US album sales total just under 13 million, Clarkson's 11.5 million. Underwood probably has more recognizability because of all the award show hosting and she's a hottie. IMO Clarkson is more versatile and has the better voice.
Perhaps my tastes are pedestrian, but I enjoy both.

 

[vtcwbuff]

A great piece but unfortunately over used commercially. Iz was one of a kind.

I had never of IZ nor had I heard his version of the song. A few years ago we rented a condo on Kauai and the owners had a couple of his CDs. When I heard "Over the Rainbow" it became an all time favorite.

 

[huskyblooz]

from the 70's Linda Ronstadt , the 80's Chrissy Hynde from the Pretenders,
the 90's Melissa Etheridge and right now maybe Susan Tedeschi.

 

[Icebear]

Irrelevant to discussion.


Who knows?? She might do worse?? She's barely behind her as is.


Exactly, only how they do in America. (like I said)

Can't stand either.

 

[vtcwbuff]

It's interesting that the top female album sellers/money earners get barely a mention.

Madonna, Maria Carey, Nana Mouskourhi. Diana Ross, Donna Summer, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston . . . . .

 

[MilfordHusky]

Fleetwood Mac did have a great female singer at one time.

Her name is Christine McVie. Christine Perfect before her marriage.

(see youtube video from VH1, 1977, "You Make Lovin' Fun")

Well, that's just perfect. I didn't realize that was her name before marriage.

I think Stevie Nicks's voice has deteriorated over the years, but when they were younger, I liked hers a little more than Christine's.