Who would you consider your top five female vocalists?

1. Ella Fitzgerald
2. Kiri Te Kanawa
3. Barbara Streisand
4. Odetta
5. Renata Tebaldi

On voice alone & in no particular order…

Alison Moyet
Adele
Kate Bush
Annie Lennox
Shirley Bassey

I think of Fiona Apple, and can’t think of anyone else.

Looking at iTunes sorted by “Number of Plays” I see:

Merrill Garbus
Nina Simone
Anita O’Day
Fiona Apple
Ella Fitzgerald

That would be based on about six months’ listening (I re-formatted my computer and that’s how far back the iTunes history goes).

If I had more history, these ladies would also be near the top:

Neko Case
Emmylou Harris
Patti Smith
Joni Mitchell

Wow, watching Johnny Cash show clips makes me so sad with nostalgia. Look at the fantastic guest list. Today we get the Kardashians instead:-(

Here’s Johnny and Joni

5 of my faces…

Rosemary Clooney
Ella F.
Jo Stafford
Bonnie Raitt
Linda Ronmstadt
(and many, many others)

I can only think of two. Nina Simone and Christina Aguilera.

Loreena McKennitt, Sarah Brightman, Jewel, Ann Wilson (Heart), and Pat Benatar.

Etta James
Whitney Houston
Ethel Merman
Shania Twain
Karen Carpenter

And I didn’t read a single post before answering.

OMG. I missed BOTH Patsy and Ella!

Honerable mention to June Carter Cash – Please include the hilarious 50’s clips where she tells jokes before her number.

I stand behind my #1.

In no particular order, just adding to the fine choices above:

Amy Winehouse
Carrie Underwood
Tracy Chapman
Janis Joplin

1. Dinah Washington
2. Annie Lennox
3. Tori Amos
4. Sheryl Crow
5. Imogen Heap
6. Bonnie Raitt

Also: Tracy Chapman, Janis Ian, Bettye Lavette, Traincha, Lena Horn, Donna Summer, Dionne Farris, Etta James, Joss Stone, Adelle, Fiona Apple

^^ Cheater, cheater!!^^

Barbra Streisand
Karen Carpenter
Adele
Mariah Carey
Sarah MacLachlin

No particular order here, and this was tough.

1) Ann Murray
2) Kelly Clarkson
3) Donna Summer
4) Jamie O’Neal
5) Mariah Carey

Cass Elliott
Ella Fitzgerald
Barbara Cook
Lydia Pense
Linda Ronstadt

In no specific order.

Lana Del Rey
Taylor Momsen
Maria Brink
Joan Jett
Juliet Simms

@ibstubro: There’s just too many good ones.

I can’t believe that Judy Collins has been omitted. Her pitch-perfect voice is clear as a bell. Incredible.

Adele

Patsy Cline

Ann Murray

Karen Carpenter

@Buttonstc I do love Judy Collins voice. It’s similar to Judith Durham’s.

- Edith Piaf
– Patsy Cline
– Nina Simone
– Florence Welch
– Adele

Kate Bush
Tori Amos
Janis Joplin
St. Vincent
Janelle Monae

I also like Joni Mitchell, KT Tunstall, Norah Jones, Regina Spektor, Sia, and Peggy Lee.