Best Female Vocalist?
 

My top 3 would have to be

1. Joni Mitchell
2. Stevie Nicks
3. Tracy Thorn (Everything but the Girl)

who are your favorites and why

Three words: Billie fucking Holiday

dunno, I like the girl from Grouper a lot at the moment.

there are loads.

The lead vocalist from The Fiery Furnaces.

Oh, and I almost forgot:
http://www.mtv.com/shared/media/news...-shirt-isl.jpg

^ who is this?

I like George Pringle a lot too, mainly cuz she's hot!

(The young) Kate Bush is my favourite female singer. Her voice is entirely unique as well as her style in general. She fascinates me on most levels .. and as a teenager, she made an absolutely fantastic debut album.

Here's a treat for fellow enjoyers .. the "red dress" version of the Wuthering Heights video. ;)

Search is your friend:

http://www.musicbanter.com/general-m...ad-singer.html

Though the thread you link to is a good one, jackhammer, the way the question is posed puts emphasis on female "lead" singers in groups and, therefore, takes emphasis away (though not totally) from soloists. I like this thread because it seems to be asking 'best female volalist' despite solo or group. To Stamper's top three (who definitely top my list) and some others listed in this thread, I would add: Janis Joplin, Joan Jett, PJ Harvey, Tracy Chapman, Nina Simone, Linda Ronstadt, Patty Smith, Beth Orton, Grace Slick, and Annie Lenox. Some African singers who are some of greatest vocals on earth: Brenda Fassie, Cesaria Evora, and Angelique Kidjo. Other oldies who can't be overlooked: Bessy Smith, Etta James, Dusty Springfield, and Mahalia Jackson. And, DON'T HATE ME, although not always consistent, Janet Jackson (Velvet Rope) and Natalie Merchant (especially as lead of 10,000 maniacs and on Tiger Lily) were pretty good, too.

That's just my short list. I know I'm in the minority on this website, but I think female vocalists KICK ASS and are equal to the many male vocalists that I like, too. Thanks for this thread!

Add Bonnie Raitt, too. (And, Aretha is completely overrated!)