The greatest female vocalist of all time (pure vocal ability) ?

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by Rufus rag, Mar 6, 2021.

  1. Rufus rag

    Rufus rag Forum Resident Thread Starter

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    I give you ....

     
  2. 131east23

    131east23 Person of Interest

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    Karen Carpenter comes to mind...
     
  3. Mal

    Mal Phorum Physicist

  4. danasgoodstuff

    danasgoodstuff Forum Resident

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    Portland, OR
    Define 'pure vocal ability', seriously. Are we talking about always accurate intonation? Are we talking about melodic inventiveness? Harmonic sophistication? Putting lyrics across? There's a lot of different elements to being a great singer and different listeners weigh those elements differently.
     
  5. JazzVinyl

    JazzVinyl Forum Resident

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    That would be a tie between Phoebe Snow and Diane Schuur
     
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  6. WHMusical

    WHMusical Chameleon Comedian Corinthian & Caricature

    Sandy Denny!
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    Last edited: Mar 6, 2021
  7. the real pope ondine

    the real pope ondine Forum Resident

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    there can be only one

    [​IMG]
     
  8. Goat

    Goat Forum Resident

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    If it's pure vocal ability then probably an Operatic singer like Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.

    If pure gold then Amy Winehouse.
     
  9. Rufus rag

    Rufus rag Forum Resident Thread Starter

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    Listen to Ella Fitzgerald and she ticks all your boxes!
     
  10. musicfan37

    musicfan37 Senior Member

    Karen Carpenter
     
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  11. Jamsterdammer

    Jamsterdammer The Great CD in the Sky

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    Overall: Maria Callas
    Popular Music: Linda Ronstadt
    Personal favorites: Elizabeth Fraser, Lisa Gerrard, Kate Bush
     
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  12. Archon

    Archon Forum Resident

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    Probably... Montserrat Caballé or Maria Callas.
     
    Last edited: Mar 6, 2021
  13. Wildest cat from montana

    Wildest cat from montana Humble Reader

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    ontario canada
    Was just listening to some Carpenters last night. What a voice , absolutely dreamy.
     
  14. Mullin

    Mullin Forum Resident

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    Linda Ronstadt
     
  15. Frip

    Frip Forum Resident

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    UK
    Ella Fitzgerald.

    Still with us: Beth Gibbons
     
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  16. ConnieGuitar

    ConnieGuitar Here in my balloon...

    Exactly....as I'd personally have different answers for each, as I'd imagine most would? Just the first names that come to mind for me but loads of others could be added:

    [Are we talking about] always accurate intonation?
    Barbra Streisand, Judy Garland, k.d. lang

    Are we talking about melodic inventiveness?
    Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, Yoko Ono (yep)

    Harmonic sophistication? Kirsty MacColl, Rhiannon Giddens, any of the McGarrigle or Roche sisters and their progeny

    Putting lyrics across? Marianne Faithfull, Nina Simone again, Carole King,
     
  17. Remy

    Remy Forum Resident

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    Sinead O’Connor
     
  18. Lynivevoli

    Lynivevoli No pressure, No diamonds....

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    I would like to mention Patsy Cline.
     
  19. MHam

    MHam Give Me Bass Relief

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    CA
    Donna Jean Godchaux. :hide:
     
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  20. Fannymac

    Fannymac Forum Resident

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    Certainly one of the most influential!

    [​IMG]
     
  21. chervokas

    chervokas Senior Member

    Sarah Vaughan would get top marks from me in all of those categories, FWIW, but there are lots and lots of fabulous female singers -- and those are just the ones I've heard.

     
    Last edited: Mar 6, 2021
  22. Lynivevoli

    Lynivevoli No pressure, No diamonds....

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    Pennsylvania
    That's a beautiful picture of her.
     
  23. Daddy Dom

    Daddy Dom Lodger

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    Dusty!
    Patsy!
    Nina!
     
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  24. William Abely

    William Abely Forum Resident

    Ella Fitzgerald or Linda Ronstadt.

    Ronstadt was just so versatile. In that respect there has been nobody like her.
     
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  25. frankfan1

    frankfan1 Some days I feel like Balok

    Ella.

    Leontyne Price.
     

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