Linda Ronstadt had a fantastic career in her native United States, but has been virtually ignored in the U.K. Sadly she had to retire in 2009 due to the effects of Parkinson’s disease, but her back catalogue is incredibly varied, stretching from country rock (the Eagles were briefly her backing group) to albums of songs from the Great American Songbook, albums of Mexican songs and much more. Of her pop/rock albums I love “Hasten down the wind” because of the variety of material and the musicianship (the late Andrew Gold was a longtime associate). What a voice she had !
Probably a bout of Rock, Paper Scissors between Maddy Prior - Year, Nanci Griffith - Once In A Very Blue Moon and Mary-Chapin Carpenter - State Of The Heart
This is the first one I thought of,it's been out for over a year and I still play it on a regular basis.
The Dreaming is a misunderstood creative masterpiece of which most listeners have come to terms with its inventiveness and mystical magic
Several other albums by woman fronted groups are ahead of this one but for woman solo or all women, it's this: (Norman F***** Rockwell is close behind)
Hounds of Love - Kate Bush Vespertine - Bjork X-Dreams - Annette Peacock Not necessarily in this order.
"Le Fil" by the French artist, Camille. I don't understand a word (apart from the English!) but the sense of musicality is so strong, you don't need language.
Aretha Franklin - I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You; Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Songbook; or Holly Cole - Temptation
I think my current favorite, in heavy rotation until about 2 months ago, would have to be High As Hope by Florence And The Machine. I ran to her music quite a bit and put this record on a lot during the first lockdown which started in March. She penetrates the human spirit in ways that are similar to Joni Mitchell at times. This record is very nuanced with none of the heavy drums and Celtic warrior dance.
Too many to choose just one. Any one of Bjork's first five or six albums, take your pick. Joni - Hejira, Blue, Court and Spark, or For The Roses. The Pretenders' first album. Kate Bush - The Dreaming or Hounds of Love. Nanci Griffith - One Fair Summer Evening. Laura Marling - Song For Our Daughter. Aretha Franklin - Amazing Grace, Lady Soul, I Never Loved A Man....again, too many. Billie Holiday - Lady In Satin.
Joni Mitchell - Court & Spark Joni Mitchell - Blue Françoise Hardy - La Question Françoise Hardy - Comment Te Dire Adieu ('It Hurt's Me to Say Goodbye', or 'It Hurts To Say Goodbye') Françoise Hardy - Ma Jeunesse Fout Le Camp ('My youth is slipping away/getting away' or 'My youth doesn't matter now' not sure?) Liz Phair - Exile In Guyville Dusty Springfield - Dusty In Memphis cannot pick just one