[montydog]

HI,

I thought I'd try and spark some debate which as a music fan is always great with like-minded people.

First bomb - I think Dusty Springfield is the greatest female vocalist of the 20th century. Better than Aretha, Billie Holiday, Whitney, Ella Fitzgerald etc etc. Interestingly, I've just been on a hip hop and R & B web site listing their top female singers of the 20th century and Dusty was 173rd behind Shania Twain.

Let's hear what you think.

M

[Boydie]

Spooky - I was thinking exactly the same the other day

Dusty's version of "Son Of A Preacher Man" is (IMHO) one of the performances of the 20th Century

Ironically the song was originally offered to Aretha, who turned it down

I wish I could offer up more of a discussion but I completely agree


Christina Aguilera always makes the hair on my neck stand up - the bit where she comes in on the 2001 version of "Lady Marmalade" always blows me away

I also think Mariah and Whitney have had outstanding contributions - but only certain songs as I can do without their screeching

The other "honourable mention" in the same category has to be Karen Carpenter" who has one of the purest voices

[Jamie]

I wholeheartedly agree with the comments about Dusty, a greatly underrated singer. Also agree with Boydie about Karen Carpenter a lovely pure voice. I also always think the voice of Jeff Buckley is one of the true greats, sadly taken too young. There are others ,but that'll do for now!
Cheers
Jamie

[tone]

Have you got a link to the list Monty? Would be interesting to see. I agree that Dusty Springfield singing preacher man is one of the best vocal takes ever. But I can't say I've heard her sing anything else, so hard to know how she compares to others.

For the record, a couple of my fave female vocalists are KD Lang and Bjork. For those who don't know KD Lang's work, check out the albums Ingenue and Invincible Summer. Incredible vocal performances.

[benjo]

 what a great topic your bomb worked

 when I was little I heard Judy garland and the hairs on the back of my neck are still up
 yes I know Judy garland but what a pure vocal

 also Deanna Durbin is a cousin of my wife's granddad her mum was his auntie
 and came from near Manchester then moved to Canada and had her there
 what a vocal, I think she was the only female to ever sing Nessun Dorma in English
 she looks like my wife too when she was a young girl

 I agree with boydie christen Aguilera WOW I also like her in that boxing ring

 but for me today it has to be Adel when she's around that is and Paloma faith

       

   






 

[montydog]

Have you got a link to the list Monty? Would be interesting to see. I agree that Dusty Springfield singing preacher man is one of the best vocal takes ever. But I can't say I've heard her sing anything else, so hard to know how she compares to others.

For the record, a couple of my fave female vocalists are KD Lang and Bjork. For those who don't know KD Lang's work, check out the albums Ingenue and Invincible Summer. Incredible vocal performances.

Hi Tone,

Here's the link : http://b93.net/top-250-female-singers-of-the-20th-century-who-do-you-think-should-be-in-the-top-10-2/

You've never heard Dusty sing anything else  Just listen to these 3...pleeease!

The arrangements on these late 60's recordings are incredibly intricate and skilfully done. I think you'll love them almost as much as the vocals.

I agree about k d Lang - she's one of my top 5 best female singers. Those albums you mention are great. Also fabulous is "Drag" which is a collection of mainly country covers. Features a scorching version of "The Air That I Breathe".

M

[Boydie]

+1 to Judy Garland and if we are going there I would add Julie Andrews - I just love her singing voice

I find I have a love/hate relationship with Adele and Paloma's vocal

There are definitely some outstanding moments but I can find Adele a bit "winey" and Paloma's a little screechy at times

[nooms]

yes dusty was special alright..unique
agree with your choices alan though my fave is ‘all i see is you’ and ‘the summer is over’
she had such an emotive voice and could breath real life into some otherwise banal records as well as the big ones..some of those 60s hits were actually italian pop songs with new english lyrics..

ever listened to gary moores guitar solo on parissean walkways  ?  i think thats pure dusty ..

nashville stuffs good too.. amazing singer

i wouldnt say she was better than aretha though..choice of rolls royces really..

[diademgrove]

Here's a couple more

Dusty comes close but for me this is the greatest female singer of the 20th century

[S.T.C]

Roberta Flack and Amy Winehouse should be mentioned also.

[Neil C]

I still can't get over the concept of Alan looking at R'n'b and a hip hop website
Can I add lucinda Williams, chrissie Hynde and judie tzuke.
 
Neil

[shadowfax]

Totally agree..Dusty was mega and has been all but forgotten..strange really..

[andy5544]

i always liked Alison Moyet , it's all pretty much down to personal taste really , and what kind of mood your in , i find some technically perfect singers like whitney and mariah thingy very boring to listen to , prefer a voice with a bit of character like KT Tunstall .
Dusty was great though