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

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

  1. WHMusical

    WHMusical Chameleon Comedian Corinthian & Caricature

    Did any one mention Whitney?
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    She had quite the set of Pipes!
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    Last edited: Mar 8, 2021
    ARod likes this.
  2. pdenny

    pdenny 22-Year SHTV Participation Trophy Recipient

    Location:
    Hawthorne CA
    Dot Wiggin. Eh, it's that kind of thread.
     
  3. WHMusical

    WHMusical Chameleon Comedian Corinthian & Caricature

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  4. WHMusical

    WHMusical Chameleon Comedian Corinthian & Caricature

    Back in the 1990s Ms. Carey was considered to be quite the singer,
    but she is not my style or type of music...
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    Last edited: Mar 8, 2021
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  5. maccafan

    maccafan Senior Member

    Oh and when it comes to rocking, very few can hang with Baby Jean Kennedy...
     
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  6. Sordel

    Sordel Forum Resident

    Location:
    Switzerland
    The line I quoted was one of several cited quotations in a section on Callas called “The Callas Sound”. I just went to Wikipedia for the quickest route to what I thought was common knowledge: that her voice is not considered technically impeccable. It's not my opinion or Wikipedia's opinion ... it's the consensus. Sure, put her up as “greatest” vocalist if you like (many would) but in this thread it's like saying that Ella wasn't the most technically gifted female vocalist because that accolade should be given to Nina Simone or Billie Holiday. If you're wowed by Nina, Billie, Callas or (I'd add) Judy Garland to that list (or Edith Piaf for that matter) then you're responding to something other than technical ability.

    You won't have to search far to find articles on Callas's technique but here's one from The Guardian: Maria Callas: The truth is she was far from perfect. And NPR has a piece on “Maria Callas: A Voice of Imperfect Perfection
     
    Last edited: Mar 9, 2021
  7. maccafan

    maccafan Senior Member

    When it comes to a beautiful ballad few can hang with Baby Jean Kennedy...
     
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  8. 16hz lover

    16hz lover Forum Resident

    Location:
    Cornelius, NC
    90% of all these suggestions on here are not my choices.
     
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  9. Jeff57

    Jeff57 Senior Member

    I certainly would not consider her one of the "greatest" female vocalists ever, but damn, Lynn Carey has a great set of pipes...and other attributes too! Check out her version of "Ain't No Sunshine" which kicks off the 1972 "Preserve Wildlife" album. On a side note, the album gatefold opens up to display Lynn & a lion cub in a provocative photo!
     
  10. BroJB

    BroJB Large Marge sent me.

    Location:
    New Orleans
    All-around has to be Aretha. She could sing anything and deliver magic.

    My personal favorite is Billie Holiday. Not a great technical singer and limited range but, my lord, what musicianship. She's the Queen.
     
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  11. kendo

    kendo Forum Resident

    Jools!...

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    :)
     
  12. JJAM

    JJAM Forum Resident

    Location:
    South East
    Aretha, hands down.

    A very honourable mention for Karen Carpenter too.
     
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  13. No Bull

    No Bull Forum Resident

    Location:
    Orlando Florida
    I agree. Patsy, Aretha, Sandy Denny for me.
     
    Last edited: Mar 9, 2021
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  14. maccafan

    maccafan Senior Member

    I prefer someone who can do it all, has absolutely massive range and can really bring it. That's Baby Jean Kennedy...
     
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  15. Library Eye

    Library Eye Forum Resident

    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    This is an impossible question, but if there're eight pages of replies accepting or even considering the premise that it can be answered how is it no one has said Marion Williams?
     
  16. danasgoodstuff

    danasgoodstuff Forum Resident

    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Perfection is a flawed concept.
     
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  17. rockerreds

    rockerreds Senior Member

    Sandie Shaw
     
  18. SKATTERBRANE

    SKATTERBRANE Forum Resident

    Location:
    Tucson, AZ
    Sarah Vaughn!
     
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  19. rjp

    rjp Senior Member

    Location:
    Ohio
    pure vocal ability - linda ronstadt - i'm not sure exactly how many other female singers did as many different styles as she did, but she is absolutely right up there.

    as for 8 pages of greatest female vocalists of all time.....sorry, but just naming someone who hasn't been mentioned to pad a post count is not the wat to do things.

    you can most definitely narrow this down to 10 - 20 total singers and then take it from there.
     
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  20. hollywoodswag

    hollywoodswag Forum Resident

    Location:
    Central Florida
    I generally lean towards Jennifer Hudson,m.
     
  21. Goggen

    Goggen Forum Resident

    Location:
    Oslo
    Who is this?
     
  22. RSteven

    RSteven Forum Resident

    Location:
    Brookings, Oregon
    I believe that is a picture of the legendary Patsy Cline.
     
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  23. spinyn

    spinyn Senior Member

    Location:
    New Orleans
    Sarah Vaughan

    Saw her many times at the Monterey Jazz Festival and she was the best I ever heard.
     
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  24. danasgoodstuff

    danasgoodstuff Forum Resident

    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Patsy Cline.
     
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  25. Oldies1967

    Oldies1967 Active Member

    Location:
    US
    Has anyone mentioned Mama Cass?
     

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