Note: This post originally had links that played actual songs. Forgive my ignorance– I didn’t realized they used other people’s bandwidth. So, links to artist websites will have to do.
I’ve been putting this list together for a long time. In fact, it’s so long, you won’t have time to listen to everything so I’ll leave it up a few days. S’plore at your leisure.Some of the music you will know. Some will be new. Some is mellow and some is far from it. Some you might hate with a passion. (g) It’s a diverse musical world for diverse tastes!
It isn’t a complete list of all my favorite female singer/songwriters– not even close, but it’s pretty extensive. I don’t know about you, but I love finding something new when it comes to music…
So, here are some of my favorite female voices. Explore the different styles, the very different genres… all unique, all talented. I will do a follow up with male vocalists… it’ll take some time. 🙂
The songs are in tiny fonts to make them fit and they’ll be in red. Enjoy! (Oops! Had to repair a couple of links!)
For longtime readers of the Snark, my love for Over the Rhine (www.overtherhine.com) isn’t new. I’ve blogged about them often. Here is the very first song I heard. This is the one that hooked me. (Was Latter Days from Good Dog Bad Dog)
Another of my favorites is Beth Orton. Had a really, really hard time picking one song. She has such a unique voice and yes, there have been times I wished she wouldn’t hitch it quite so often, but I still love the voice and the music. 🙂
(Sorry for the constant updates for those on RSS feeds, but the Beth Orton links are giving me fits and I can’t find my favorites! 🙂 )
sarah fimm has such an interesting style. Kind of soft, yet dirty at the same time. I really like that.
Okay, technically, MASSIVE ATTACK is not a female band. However, they most often hire female singers to front the songs. Mezzanine is probably the sexiest album ever made. Two songs here.
Dissolved Girl!!
Teardrop–you might recognize as the opening tune to the show, House.
I believe Aimee Mann to be one of the best songwriters. Ever. She’s frank and can reach in to pluck your heart out with a few well-placed words. This song is from the Magnolia Soundtrack–which is all excellent, btw. The lyrics steal your breath.
If you can find this band, let me know. I bought Sweetie’s EP years ago after hearing this song on what used to be the best music site on the net– MP3.com. But listen to this voice! Apparently, the lead singer left the band and entered this song in a VH1 contest and it won. (g) It’s like modern lounge music. Kind of strange and sexy.
Some say Tori Amos is an acquired taste. I have to admit, the first CD I purchased didn’t stay in rotation long, but others did. And thanks to Laura, that 1st CD has been given another chance. Okay, Laura, I can admit when I’m wrong. (g) This song isn’t on that particular CD, but I do love it.
Okay, I mentioned björk. Sometimes, her CDs get on my nerves. But man, she can sing. I go through odd Bjork moods and this is one I always play. (Ws Oceania)
This group is no more, but the two CDs they put out while Mary Fahl was on vocals are worth it. I first saw October Project singing Bury My Lovely live on television. That is something to see.
Sarah McLachlan became so famous in the nineties. I was a fan before that… I still think this is one of her best songs.
Prepare to be blown away. I can listen to Kate Fenner sing all day and I love the CDs she’s done with Chris Brown. Chris Brown and Kate Fenner
If you have the time, listen to the lyrics. Beautiful, heartfelt artists who care about things I do. 🙂 Never Done is the first song of theirs I heard and I still play it often!
I still remember the first time I heard the The Cranberries . The very first song on their very first CD. 🙂 I liked them later as well, but this one brings back memories.
I love Irish music. If I’m in the mood for a pretty, Irish voice, I reach for Kate Rusby. Here’s a clip.
Sometimes, I love Dar Williams. It’s give and take in my relationship with this singer/songwriter. But this song blows me away. Wish I could have found the whole thing for you. (Was Beauty of the Rain)
I like this lady’s voice, though I’ve had friends ask if I’m going to play that weird voice lady. Hmmm.. Think they don’t like it? Angela McCluskey ‘s music goes from rock to jazz, to well, her own individual sound. Her voice reminds me of the Divinyls– I liked them, too. (g)
Goldfrapp (There’s usually nudity on her site–but it’s worth the trip– it is a kind of trip there.) My husband gets this weird grin whenever this is playing. Then, sometimes, he’ll ask to make it go away. LOL! I like it. It’s stylish, freaky and if you turn it up, you’ll feel like you’ve been sucked into a time warp.(Look for Lovely Head)
Okay. I like The Sundays. I do. I love Static and Silence. I’m offering up two clips. I know. Sweet. I can be sweet. The Sundays
Another sweet voice, but one that comes with a bite! Noe Venable is frank and fun!
When I’m in the mood for jazz, I sometimes turn back the calendar for the next two classic singers:Nina Simone
Billie Holiday (I listen to her often!)
A contemporary voice– yet her heart is in the old time jazz/blues and folk past. My sister and I love Jolie Holland. I recommend turning her music up loud outside, taking off your shoes and dancing in the wet, morning grass. 🙂
And if you like a similar sound, there is always Erin McKeown.
And yet another old time sound. They call their music inner city blues with banjos. I have ::PoGirl:: ‘s first CD and I love it. Only one complaint — one song has a long, long time of silence. Plays havoc on a changer. This is just a clip.
One of my favorite sites on the Net for contemporary jazz musicians is www.maxjazz.com . There I discovered Erin Bode .
Ane Brun Someone new and mellow. I listen to this CD so often. I had to remove her clip because it messed up the blog layout.
You may laugh– and this is dating me– but I liked 4 Non Blondes. Everyone knew them for the song “What’s Up?” which I loved, but there were a couple of other goodies on that CD. Here’s a short clip.
a girl called eddy Another mellow pick, but this CD blew me away. I don’t think it left my rotation for months and it still creeps back in often.
This lady is now singing jazz, but I still pull out Rebecca Martin‘s CD, Thoroughfare. Here is one of the reasons why.
Some people compare Trespasser’s William to Mazzy Star. Mazzy Star ws okay. I liked a song or two. I tended to drift into a coma if I listened to them too long. (g) trespassers william is a different story. This song is so pretty…. “Say my name and I lie in the sound.”
10,000 Maniacs and Natalie Merchant. I could only find videos! Wanted to play Carnival and quite a few others. But here’s a great live version of These are the Days. 🙂
Grey Eye Glances– Great Band! The Grey Eye Glances Home Page Had to remove another great clip that was messin’ with my page. Grr.
Oooh… completely different sound than the group just above. I heard this song and ran out that day to buy the CD. It’s just a clip, damn it, but man, it’s got a sexy beat. I’m fond of trip hop and didn’t begin to cover all the great bands in that genre here. 🙂
The Supreme Beings of Leisure (SBLeisure.com Teaser Site — Sexy Site Coming Eventually… )are unique. Found another clip from that first CD. This is a cool, funky song.(Last Girl on Earth is the song to find!)
I love this CD. Love all of it. It’s mouthy in places and heartbreaking in others. If you have the time, listen to this entire song– The lyrics are fantastic. I wish Poe would put out more CDs. POE Official Site
Cowboy Junkies — Laid back and supremely intelligent. I love the Junkies. This is one of their more upbeat songs. Love the lyrics! “Rid yourself of all regrets because here is where it all begins.” This one isn’t mellow!
Heard of Esthero? No? It is beyond me why this woman isn’t more popular. Compared to Bjork at times, but I think she’s purely unique. Breath From Another is a wonderfully different CD.
BAXTER . I like them. Electronic. Cool. Man, I love trip hop bands. Alas, this is only a clip, but it gives you an idea.
Take a walk on the dark side. Collide is… well, hmm… I don’t know how to explain. Kind of goth, kind of electronic… kind of lethargic at times. But she works really well when writing certain scenes. (g) I’m not a fan of all her music, but this one is cool. (Was Halo)
Unfortunately,Free Dominguez. left the Kidney Thieves. I liked her. My daughter likes the new incarnation of the band (Shocknina) but I’m withholding judgement so far. But here’s a taste of the old band. This is from the last scene of Queen of the Damned. Harder Stuff here.
And last but never, ever least and because I miss them so very much and… because I’VE HEARD RUMORS THEY ARE BACK TOGETHER AND MAKING A NEW ALBUM AND I’M TOO EXCITED TO BREATHE…Portishead should be experienced live. I had to change the video– looks like someone loaded all the orchestrated ones into You Tube illegally. The violin part was good, too. This song is sexy!