Sinead O’Connor.
Just saw her at Womadelaide and the power , the range , the emotion.
Seen Odetta but she is dead. Never saw Nina Simone. Better live than Joni, Emmylou’, Miriam Makeba, Patti Smith, Annie Lennox.
Nope can’t think of one.
Comments
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
retropath2 says
Have to agree, amazing control, remarkable technique.
I can think of 8 good reasons why she is the best
James Blast says
I can
Wheldrake says
Have an up for that!
retropath2 says
Much as I would love to agree, I can’t. Sandy is and was a goddess, but of but one element, being distinctly out of her comfort zone if given anything with much more than a funereal pace. (Evermore is the exception that proves, but take Sandy away from Fairport and Fotheringay dirges and fromNorthstar, her only really convincing LP, and she was written up as failing to fulfil.) Sinead has the entire chocolate box of emotions, moods, tempos and timbres
Makka Pakka says
Well Sandy is the first name on the team sheet, but then….
Cara Dillon
Eddi Reader
Sam Brown
Kate Rusby
Karen Matheson
Oh and The Unthanks sisters
bobness says
Hasn’t Sam Brown had to basically give up, due to throat problems?
Awful news if so, as she has (had) a tremendous voice. I was lucky enough to see her a couple of times a few years back, and “Letting Go” just burrowed into my brain. What a song.
Junior Wells says
Thought of all them and Sandy is probably a good call. Others are good certainly.
Junior Wells says
Err and Aretha !
Bamber says
Having seen Sinead many times over the years, I preferred her earlier more robust vocals to the multi-layered sound on some of her latest stuff. I also hated the little girl voice she used for a while e.g. her version of Haunted with Shane McGowan. She can still cut it live though. It’s a pity her sense of humour rarely comes through in her music. She’s quite funny when she’s the right side of eccentric.
My favourite female singer, still treading the boards would be Joan Wasser aka Joan as Police Woman. Great range and she writes songs that really stretch her vocally. She’s an engaging live performer too.
bobness says
Spot on re Joan. She’s top notch.
mikethep says
SO’C is in Brisbane tomorrow night…was definitely curious to see her, but we’re moving house on Thursday so timing is terrible.
Junior Wells says
Make the effort Mike. She was fantastic.
mikethep says
Maybe she’ll come round and help us pack up the kitchen afterwards?
Junior Wells says
Why don’t you suggest it Mike. Just hope you are a quick runner.
duco01 says
Sandy – yes, of course
Rachel & Becky Unthank – again, yes
I’d also add:
Norma Waterson
Lal Waterson
Nahawa Doumbia
Oumou Sangare
Anne Briggs
Ann Peebles
Candi Staton
Looking at that list, I feel rather sad that I’ve only seen two of these great singers live (Rachel & Becky)
Junior Wells says
I’ve seen a lot of top singers including those I listed but this really was a killer performance.She had a gadget with control and headphones maybe that helped her pitch but geez she sang well.
len hyatt says
Linda Ronstadt. Knew a few tunes and dug them. Couple of weeks ago, went on a LR bender. Beautiful! At the stage where she could sing anything (and does) and I’m into it!
poolhallrichard says
Thea Gilmore has got a set of pipes on her.
Simonl says
Technically I’d probably have at the top of the list Aretha or Minnie Riperton. And I love them both, and I rate their vocals equally from a ooh they move me sort of place.
Next after them for technical abilities and shivers up the spine stuff is Maria McKee, in her younger days not far off a countrified Aretha style singer either.
I’m also rather fond of early Sinead, she could hit some notes that ripped your head off and then whisper equally well, so much control.
Currently I really like the latest Queen of Country Miranda Lambert. Technically not the best singer ever, but she has a way of twisting a lyric with her accent that I love. And she hits a note in a way that does funny things to me in all sorts of good ways.
I have history with people playing around with the words in odd ways, Patti Smith used to do just that and it’s brilliant. It also tells me that they’re aware of the words they’re singing rather than just carrying a nice tune.
Alias says
I’vs seen many fine female singers over the years:
Irma Thomas, Mavis Staples, Ann Peebles, Cassandra Wilson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dianne Reeves, Oumou Sangare, Angelique Kidjo, Celia Cruz, Celina Gonzalez, Susana Baca, Anita Baker, Miriam Makeba, Marlena Shaw to name most of them.
Who is the best one I have seen? Thats easy – Carmen Lundy wins hands down.
Tiggerlion says
I was toying with buying Soul To Soul. I take it you’d recommend it, Alias!
Alias says
I haven’t heard it, (and hadn’t even heard of it), so thanks for bringing it to my attention Tigg. Here is a short film about it, and it looks pretty good.
It is as a live performer that she is really at her best.
Tiggerlion says
I think I’ll buy it, then. Plus, watch out for a gig. Thanks.
Sniffity says
A friend’s encounter post-Womadelaide (cut and pasted from Facebook)
“Ian to Sinead O’Connor: Hi, could I get you to sign something for me?
Sinead O’Connor to Ian: How many is there?
Ian to Sinead O’Connor: I think five maybe, but whatever your comfortable with…
Sinead O’Connor to Ian: (smiling broadly) I’ll do one.
Ian to Sinead O’Connor: Any chance we could do a photograph?
Sinead O’Connor to Ian: (still smiling broadly) NO FOOKING WAY
In some ways the perfect Sinead interaction. “
ganglesprocket says
Dusty Springfield people.
Seriously, I brook no disagreement. Goin’ Back is a record which might even be better than God Only Knows.
Junior Wells says
the debate could be narrowed down to live ones.
Rosbif says
Regular readers will be aware of my adoration of Christine Collister, the finest singer in the land for many years.
Of those still at their peak, Shelby Lynne is right up there. Her show at the Union Chapel a few years ago might be the best solo gig I’ve ever seen.
Other top, top female singers I’ve seen live: kd lang, Shawn Colvin, Irma Thomas, Laura Nyro and Bonnie Raitt.
Carl says
You saw Laura Nyro!
I am officially envious.
You must tell me more next time we meet.