I know we have mixed feelings about lists here, but this one is quite interesting. National Public Radio in the US have compiled their choice of the best 150 albums made by women since 1964. I reckon I own about 20 of them, have heard maybe another 20 and there are plenty I’ve never heard and a fair few by artists I’ve never heard of. As I type I’m listening to Deep Listening by Pauline Oliveros, someone I’d never heard of until about 15 minutes ago.
Some are obvious. Some are WTF is that doing there? Some are bloody marvellous and as indicated above some are completely unknown.
Have a browse. In the words of the late Mrs Merton “Let’s have a heated debate”.
NPR’s 150 greatest albums by women since 1964
Thanks for that @Carl.
Interesting. I was surprised at some of the top 5 .
I reckon Egypt’s Umm Kulthum should be #1 as the biggest most famous singer of all time.
Rokia Traore seems a glaring omission unless I missed it. Ditto Ann Peebles – but pretty damn comprehensive.
It’s ‘Horses’ isn’t it? If not should be. Or maybe Velveteen by Transvision Vamp
No, not Horses, though it is in the list.
My first reaction is that this feels like one (or in a few exceptional cases two) records by major female artists rather than anything like the best 150. Did I miss Kate Bush, Armatrading, Chapin Carpenter, Everything but the Girl, Makeba? Quite possibly but inevitably there will be many others missing. Surprised there are only two Mitchell records – hard to imagine a ‘top 150 men’s albums with only two Dylan records….
I think Kate Bush is there and possibly Miriam Makeba.
Yes, I agree about MCC missing. Shawn Colvin is also a notable miss. The Rosanne Cash pick wouldn’t have been mine.
Cracking list. To my shame I’ve only got a dozen or so too: Lucinda Williams, Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, Tracy Chapman, Amy Winehouse, Blondie, Portishead, Patti Smith, Norah Jones and a few others. But I’ll now add a few to my never-ending Amazon wishlist.
Wish someone more qualified than me could pick out the best tracks on each of these albums and do a Spotify list.
I am delighted you asked that question. No I haven’t.
But a few years ago I appointed myself executive producer of a double CD (sadly not available on vinly) entitled ‘Wimmins 1 and Wimmins 2’. I used to howl myself to sleep each night in my kennel listening to this and I am happy to share the track listing with you. I am sure you can rip off my efforts wholesale from Spotty. Track listing as follows – it is important that they are listened to in this order and that each CD is listened to in it’s entirety:
Wimmins 1
1. Love and Emotion, Joan Armatrading
2. Chuck E’s In Love, Rickie Lee Jones
3. Song For Sharon, Joni Mitchell
4. Magic Smile, Rosie Vela
5. Private LIfe, Grace Jones
6. Dreamsome, Shelby Lynne
7. Like a Star, Corrine Bailey Rae
8. Why?, Annie Lennox
9. Matters of the Heart, Bonnie Raiit
10. Stay With Me Till Dawn, Judie Tzuke
Wimmins 2
1. Sinner Man, Nina Simone
2. Come Away With Me, Norah Jones (Gnawrah Bones …. arf, arf, ………….. ouch, whimper)
3. Hold Me For A While, Oletta Adams
4. Fields of Gold, Eva cassidy
5. I Try, Macy Gray
6. Salt, Liz Wright
7. Constant Craving, K D Lang
8. Shouting Stage, Joan Armatrading
9. As Long As You Follow, Fleetwood Mac
10. Midnight in Harlem, Tedeschi Trucks Band
11. I Cant make You Love Me, Bonnie Raiit
If you have read all the way down here you will see that many of the artists are on the list, with some notable exceptions, in particular Queen Joan Armatrading. I would also add that when I get round to issuing myself with the remastered version I will be omitting Corrine Bailey Rae which I now realize sounds weak in such exalted company.
Woof.
I’ll ponder this in the morning but, like the defunct (it’s defunct for a reason) “History of Raawwkkk” magazine, it’s bizarre that the subject is deemed to begin in the mid-60s.
Travesty no Mary Chapin. Blue isn’t the best Joni album and Lucinda I would have gone with Essence maybe.
Have 33 of those on the list but rather surprised that no room for to Courteney Barnett album which is best debut by a female in many a year.
I was going to mention the absence of Courtney Barnett. She’s a real one-off, quite brilliant.
Had a quick skim through. Outraged at Broken English not making the top 100, Bella Donna not being higher, Rickie Lee Jones’ debut not being included, Rumours being included for some bizarre reason, and no Rock Follies. I’m so angry I might write a haiku about it.
You’re not alone. Rickie Lee Jones herself says she was “bewildered” to see Pirates included but not her debut.
“What is not here is “Rickie Lee Jones,” the debut recording from 1979. not here at all. the very influential Chuck E’ in love, On Saturday Afternoon in 1963, last chance Texaco, Coolsville ( I did see Exile from Guyville by Liz Phair . ) Norah Jones’ first is here, and Sheryl Crows’ first hits, Fiona Apple too.
but no debut by Rickie Lee Jones.”
Fascinating list, but were Cocteau Twins, Eurythmics, Sonic Youth, Fleetwood Mac,even the Staples’ Singers really “by women”? With women, maybe. Women at the forefront, even. Siouxsie and the Pretenders I accept, unequivocally. Plus where were some of the others I might wish to see: Sandy Denny in, say, Northstar Grassman and the Ravens, Anne Briggs, June Tabor, Gillian Welch, plus many mentioned by others.
Gillian Welch is in there
I’m amazed that “the ladies” have recorded as many as 150 albums!! Quite an achievement, and “one in the eye” for the “naysayers”!! Now, come on girls – how about writing a few books??
To be fair, it’s quite an interesting list, as lists go and there are great photographs at the top of each page!
Obviously it’s limited by, erm, limiting it to 150 women out of a female population of quite a lot more than that but it is adventurous (Alice Coltrane – “Journey in Satchidananda”), contentious (Spice Girls) and enlightening (Cris Williamson). It also gives everyone the chance to bemoan the absence of their favourites: No “Kiss and Say Goodbye” by the McGarrigles? And where on earth is Judee Sill?
Etc.
150. The Roches – The Roches (Warner Bros., 1979)
149. Alicia Keys – Songs In A Minor (J Records, 2001)
148. Terri Lyne Carrington – The Mosaic Project (Concord Jazz, 2011)
147. Meredith Monk – Dolmen Music (ECM, 1981)
146. Patty Griffin – Flaming Red (A&M, 1998)
145. Oumou Sangare – Moussolou (Kartell/World Circuit, 1989)
144. The Breeders – Last Splash (4AD/Elektra, 1993)
143. Robyn – Body Talk (Konichiwa Records, 2010)
142. Iris DeMent – My Life (Warner Bros., 1993)
141. Joanna Newsom – Ys (Drag City, 2006)
140. Norah Jones – Come Away with Me (Blue Note, 2002)
139. The Bangles – All Over the Place (Columbia, 1984)
138. Cocteau Twins – Heaven or Las Vegas (4AD, 1990)
137. Ofra Haza – 50 Gates Of Wisdom (Yemenite Songs) (Shanachie, 1987)
136. Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band – Yoko Ono (Apple Records, 1970)
135. The B-52’s – The B-52’s (Warner Bros., 1979)
134. Solange – A Seat at the Table (Saint/Columbia 2016)
133. Fanny – Fanny Hill (Reprise, 1972)
132. Shelby Lynne – I Am Shelby Lynne (Island/Mercury, 2000)
131. Shirley Horn – I Thought About You (Verve Records, 1987)
130. Teena Marie – Wild and Peaceful (Motown Records, 1979)
129. Marianne Faithfull – Broken English (Island, 1979)
128. Pauline Oliveros – Deep Listening (New Albion, 1989)
127. Sonic Youth – Sister (SST, 1987)
126. The Carpenters – A Song for You (A&M Records, 1972)
125. Fiona Apple – Tidal (Work Group/Clean Slate/Columbia, 1996)
124. Carly Simon – No Secrets (Elektra, 1972)
123. Cris Williamson – The Changer and the Changed (Olivia Records, 1975)
122. Siouxsie and the Banshees – The Scream (Polydor, 1978)
121. Joni Mitchell – Hejira (Asylum, 1976)
120. Anita Baker – Rapture (Elektra, 1986)
119. The Slits – Cut (Island Records, 1979)
118. Chaka Khan – I Feel for You (Warner Bros., 1984)
117. Joan Jett – I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll (Boardwalk, 1981)
116. Macy Gray – On How Life Is (Epic, 1999)
115. La Lupe & Tito Puente – La Pareja (Fania/Tico Records, 1978)
114. Reba McEntire – Rumor Has It (MCA, 1990)
113. Aretha Franklin – Young, Gifted and Black (Atlantic Records, 1972)
112. Mercedes Sosa – Mercedes Sosa en Argentina (Universal 1982)
111. Diamanda Galás – The Litanies of Satan (Y, 1982)
110. Miranda Lambert – Platinum (RCA Nashville, 2014)
109. Against Me! – Transgender Dysphoria Blues (Total Treble, 2014)
108. Gladys Knight and the Pips – Imagination (Buddah Records, 1973)
107. The Shangri-Las – Leader of the Pack (Red Bird Records, 1965)
106. No Doubt – Tragic Kingdom (Interscope, 1995)
105. Sheila E. – The Glamorous Life (Warner Bros., 1984)
104. ESG – Come Away With ESG (99 Records, 1983)
103. Umm Kulthum – Enta Omri (You Are My Life) (Sono, 1964)
102. Alabama Shakes – Sound & Color (ATO, 2015))
101. Eurythmics – Touch (RCA, 1983)
100. Buffy Sainte-Marie – It’s My Way! (Vanguard Records, 1964)
99. Taylor Swift – Fearless (Big Machine Records, 2008)
98. Bikini Kill – Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah (Kill Rock Stars, 1993)
97. Mariah Carey – Daydream (Columbia Records, 1995)
96. Lil’ Kim – Hard Core (Big Beat/Undeas Recordings, 1996)
95. Shakira – ¿Dónde Están los Ladrones? (Sony, 1998)
94. Sheryl Crow – Tuesday Night Music Club (A&M, 1993)
93. Britney Spears – …Baby One More Time (Jive Records, 1999)
92. Meshell Ndegeocello – Peace Beyond Passion (Maverick, 1996)
91. Alison Krauss And Union Station – New Favorite (Rounder, 2001)
90. Barbra Streisand – Funny Girl (Capitol Records, 1964)
89. Shania Twain – Come On Over (Mercury Records, 1997)
88. k. d. lang – Ingénue (Sire, 1992)
87. X – Los Angeles (Slash/Rhino, 1980)
86. Alice Coltrane – Journey in Satchidananda (GRP/Impulse!, 1971)
85. Joan Baez – Diamonds & Rust (A&M, 1975)
84. Roberta Flack – First Take (Atlantic, 1969)
83. Bobbie Gentry – Ode To Billie Joe (Capitol Records, 1967)
82. Laura Nyro – New York Tendaberry (Columbia, 1969)
81. Sleater-Kinney – Dig Me Out (Kill Rock Stars, 1997)
80. Laurie Anderson – Big Science (Warner Bros., 1982)
79. Portishead – Dummy (Go! Beat, 1994)
78. The Bulgarian State Radio & Television Choir – Le Mystère Des Voix Bulgares (Nonesuch, 1987)
77. Aaliyah – Aaliyah (Blackground/Virgin America 2001)
76. Tammy Wynette – Stand By Your Man (Epic, 1969)
75. Donna Summer – Bad Girls (Casablanca, 1979)
74. The Raincoats – The Raincoats (Rough Trade, 1979)
73. Astrud Gilberto – The Astrud Gilberto Album(Verve Records, 1965)
72. The Runaways – The Runaways (Mercury, 1976)
71. Salt-N-Pepa – Blacks’ Magic (London, 1990)
70. Stevie Nicks – Bella Donna (Modern, 1981)
69. Cyndi Lauper – She’s So Unusual (Portrait/Sony 1983)
68. Rosanne Cash – King’s Record Shop (Columbia, 1987)
67. Sinead O’Connor – I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got (Chrysalis, 1990)
66. Miriam Makeba – Pata Pata (Reprise, 1967)
65. Cassandra Wilson – Blue Light ‘Til Dawn (Blue Note, 1993)
64. Spice Girls – Spice (Virgin, 1996)
63. Madonna – Like a Virgin (Sire, 1984)
62. Dixie Chicks – Wide Open Spaces (BMG/Sony, 1998)
61. Destiny’s Child – The Writing’s on the Wall (Columbia, 1999)
60. The Pretenders – Pretenders (Sire, 1980)
59. Indigo Girls – Indigo Girls (Epic, 1989)
58. Labelle – Nightbirds (Epic, 1974)
57. Mary J. Blige – What’s the 411? (Uptown/MCA, 1992)
56. X-Ray Spex – Germfree Adolescents (EMI, 1978)
55. The Go-Gos – Beauty And The Beat (I.R.S., 1981)
54. Nico – Chelsea Girl (Verve, 1967)
53. Linda Ronstadt – Heart Like A Wheel (Capitol, 1974)
52. Bonnie Raitt – Nick Of Time (Capitol/EMI, 1989)
51. Sarah Vaughan – Sassy Swings Again (Mercury, 1967)
50. Hole – Live Through This (DGC, 1994)
49. Rickie Lee Jones – Pirates (Warner Bros., 1981)
48. Etta James – Rocks The House (Argo, 1964)
47. Celia Cruz – Son con Guaguanco (Emusica/Fania, 1966)
46. Emmylou Harris – Wrecking Ball (Elektra, 1995)
45. Dusty Springfield – Dusty in Memphis (Atlantic, 1969)
44. Heart – Dreamboat Annie (Mushroom, 1976)
43. M.I.A. – Kala (XL/Interscope, 2007)
42. Ella Fitzgerald – Sings the Johnny Mercer Song Book (Verve, 1964)
41. Tracy Chapman – Tracy Chapman (Elektra, 1988)
40. The Staple Singers – Be Altitude: Respect Yourself (Stax, 1972)
39. Gillian Welch – Time (The Revelator) (Acony Records, 2001)
38. Odetta – It’s a Mighty World (RCA Victor, 1964)
37. Kate Bush – Hounds Of Love (EMI, 1985)
36. Grace Jones – Nightclubbing (Island Records, 1981)
35. Blondie – Parallel Lines (Chrysalis, 1978)
34. Tina Turner – Private Dancer (Capitol, 1984)
33. Queen Latifah – All Hail The Queen (Tommy Boy, 1989)
32. Björk – Post (Elektra, 1995)
31. Liz Phair – Exile In Guyville (Capitol/EMI/Matador, 1993)
30. Adele – 21 (Columbia/XL, 2011)
29. Alanis Morissette – Jagged Little Pill (Maverick, 1995)
28. Nina Simone – Nina Simone Sings the Blues (RCA Victor, 1967)
27. Tori Amos – Little Earthquakes (Atlantic, 1992)
26. TLC – CrazySexyCool (LaFace, 1994)
25. Ani Difranco – Little Plastic Castle (Righteous Babe Records, 1998)
24. Loretta Lynn – Coal Miner’s Daughter (Decca, 1970)
23. Aretha Franklin – Amazing Grace (Atlantic, 1972)
22. Sade – Diamond Life (Sony, 1984)
21. PJ Harvey – Rid Of Me (Island Records, 1993)
20. The Ronettes – Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes (Philles Records, 1964)
19. Selena – Amor Prohibido (EMI Latin, 1994)
18. Lucinda Williams – Car Wheels On A Gravel Road (Mercury, 1998)
17. Janet Jackson – Control (A&M, 1986)
16. Fleetwood MacRumours (Warner Bros., 1977)
15. Diana Ross and the Supremes – Where Did Our Love Go (Motown, 1964)
14. Whitney Houston – Whitney Houston (Arista, 1985)
13. Madonna – Like a Prayer (Sire, 1989)
12. Erykah Badu – Baduizm (Universal, 1997)
11. Dolly Parton – Coat Of Many Colors (RCA Records, 1971)
10. Carole King – Tapestry (Ode, 1971)
9. Amy Winehouse – Back To Black (Island, 2006)
8. Janis Joplin – Pearl (Columbia, 1971)
7. Patti Smith – Horses (Arista, 1975)
6. Beyoncé – Lemonade (Parkwood/Columbia, 2016)
5. Missy Elliott – Supa Dupa Fly (The Goldmind/Elektra, 1997)
4. Aretha Franklin – I Never Loved a Man The Way I Loved You (Atlantic, 1967)
3. Nina Simone – I Put A Spell on You (Philips, 1965)
2. Lauryn Hill – The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (Ruffhouse/Columbia, 1998)
1. Joni Mitchell – Blue (Reprise, 1971)
We know that the middle class have always been better at pop music than the working class (that’s undeniable); white pop groups make better albums than non-white pop groups (it would take a fine barrister to argue against it); and, with the above list, it’s also blindingly obvious that men, and I say this with a heavy heart, are better at it than women.
Let’s be honest, that list is an absolute shocker.
I’d be amazed if Paul Morley doesn’t own at least 135.
Well . . . . and I’m not sure if you’re serious . . . . I don’t agree but neither of us is right or wrong, it’s just opinion.
All I know is, that list has introduced me to this for which I am grateful:
Beautiful voice. Hadn’t come across her either – extraordinary how much you miss when you fondly imagine you have your finger on where it’s at. She’s still at it – has released 29 albums, the most recent in 2014. Some on Spotify.
Thanks for posting that, Peanuts. As mike says above, beautiful. I had not heard of her either but will definitely go and investigate now.
One that had passed me by too.
Beautiful voice and good piano playing too.
Plenty I’d agree with in that list and a few I wouldn’t. There are a good few I’m totally unfamiliar with. Quite a few names I’ve seen/heard of somewhere, possibly even heard, but can’t place the music of.
The positions in the ranking could be argued about forever but it’s all subjective innit? It’s the new and unfamiliar names are the interest for me.
Not altogether surprising if there is some disagreement and divergence of taste given that, the Iist was compiled by people who are, unlike most AW regulars a) American and b) women.
Like all lists I agree with the ones I own and like. Adele? Really?
It’s a good list, and it’s nice to see Fanny on it, but only one Madge album? Alright it’s her best, but I’d expected to see a couple more. Also – wot no Sugarbabes or Little Mix? 🙂
Hard to disagree with no.1 though.
There are two Madonna albums, actually. (The wrong ones, by the way)
If a Sonic Youth LP qualifies as “made by women”, where’s “the” Kevin Rowland album?
And The Roches should have been No. 1.
You’d’ve liked the Indigo Girls show last night @fatima_Xberg: With Lucy Wainwright Roche, daughter of, I think, Maggie, as support and accompanist over the evening, a few Roches songs got an airing, including, as first encore, Hammond Song, the meshed vocals of Lucy alongside Amy and Emily capturing the atonal naiveté of the original gloriously.
Yes, maybe a few Wings albums should be on there?
It does seem a bit counterproductive, if the objective is to big up female talent, to shoehorn in selections where there happened to be a lady in the band, thereby betraying a kind of patronising tokenism. After all, 150 is an unusual number for such a list – better to junk Fleetwood Mac (overexposed on other lists anyway) and the like and have a nice round top 100.
(This site being what it is*, I’m sure we could all, without blinking, rattle off a dozen obvious contenders – New Order, My Bloody Valentine, Prefab Sprout, yes even Wings – once the principle of “there’s a lady present” is the requirement).
*The Afterword: Women musing on the byways of popular culture..
As the list was selected by women it can’t, by definition, be patronising.
Matronising maybe.
Schooled! Thanks, Mr C..
Ah, I missed Like A Virgin. A good choice IMO. I prefer Her Madge before she ‘learned’ to sing.
I know nothing about music. It’s true. I wasn’t even aware of The Roches until I heard Hammond Song on Spotify the other week. Blown away by it, and immediately hunted down a second hand copy of the CD. Fab.
I only found out via a Paul Simon biog that they went to his songwriting classes which is how they got to sing back up on There Goes Rhymin Simon
It’s always nice to see Fanny on it, Mini.
*ptchoo*
My framer used to hump amps for Fanny.
And who could blame him.
Madge is at 13 and 63.
Musta skimmed it. Ta.
Nice to see Carly Simon there, in spite of her being gorgeous, rich, talented, smart, honey-voiced ectect.
I think it’s an interesting list, but I can’t imagine a masculine version included the likes of Take That or Ed Sheeran on their top 150 albums by males.
Its a fantastic list – whether you agree with the choices or not. The fact that it’s been made at all is enough. As has already been said above, ‘Like all lists I agree with the ones I own and like’
Far more interesting than the usual ‘100 best albums ever, ever, ever’. Just my opinion tho
No idea if that distribution by date image will show up but it does seem odd that this century’s output is so underrepresented. Aren’t we in something of a golden age for women songwriters at the moment. I’m thinking that surely some of these are worthy? (and many more…)
Waxahatchee
Pistol Annies
Neko Case
Angel Olsen
Sharon Van Etten
Ashley Monroe
Joan Shelley
Brandy Clark
Cat Power
Courtney Marie Andrews
Grimes
Haim
Jenny Lewis
Kacey Musgraves
Kathleen Edwards
Lori Mckenna
Nadia Reid
Martha Wainwright
Natalie Prass
Actually so true: there are tons of ’em now and in many genres too. Males are so passe. Skimming thru’ my purchases of the past few months, 75% are by wimmins or feature wimmins strongly.
Mine too, Retro, though haven’t done the maths I find the majority of music I’ve been listening to has been female based. I would add Anais Mitchell to the list of huskerdude’s “this century” too and the beloved Gretchen Peters of course. I would have put Kate and Anna McGarrigle (either of their first 2 albums) in the original list too.
Didn’t notice Mary Gauthier in that list.
Or Carla Bley.
Yes, two good calls, Mike.
I’d take The Foudling by MG, and “The Lost Chords Find Paolo Fresu” by CB.
Never mind that Kate and Anna’s first one is excluded, it should be number 1. Aeriel also should be in there…where’s Judee Sill ? and Anne Briggs? not enough Aretha..where is Ella sings Cole Porter… Dinah Washington….was Billie Holiday in there? Adele and Mariah, really? Surely Laura Nyro’s Trilogy ?
The Kick Inside should definitely be in there.
Nice to see Sade there as well…a great album.
I own 32 of those so much more to explore via Spotify! I have started with the Teena Marie album which is an excellent disco/soul album that further proves 1979 was the greatest ever year for music.
Thanks for posting
Patty Griffin is way too low at 146 and I wouldn’t have picked Flaming Red which is my least favourite of hers. Other artists who I agree with but not the album named are Laura Nyro – Eli’s 13th Confession tops New York Tendaberry ( tempos and volume changes quite challenging even for fans) and Emmylou Harris. I much prefer her earlier albums that showcase her fantastic vocals than Wrecking Ball whose production I don’t really care for.
Bloody stupid, but only because they included albums by bands that are fronted by women.
There are some very ordinary records on that list.
Gonna put up first 50,no Lemonade on Spotify yet….
Gonna put up first 50,no Lemonade on Spotify yet….
https://open.spotify.com/user/santanaqwe/playlist/4Aav2Mc4kB6voRIKRb4bA3
Here we are – all bar Beyonce’s Lemonade represented, feel free to slag off my choices
Excellent list. I’ll work my way through it this evening.
No Aimee Mann??? really???
Blimey, Stakhanovites of Afterwordland! Well done for all the compilation work.
You sweated (or something) so we don’t have to.
Kudos.
There are many albums that I love on that list.
But I cannot take seriously a list that excludes “The Living Road” by the late Lhasa de Sela. It’s a magical work of exceptional depth and beauty.
I would also delete Joan Baez and put in Judy Collins instead. And nothing by Peggy Lee?
Kirsty MacColl? Vashti Bunyan?
What, no Annette Peacock, “I’m the One”? Very surprised that wasn’t included given many of the other choices.
150 Worst Albums Made By Men: http://themuse.jezebel.com/the-150-worst-albums-made-by-men-1797242454?rev=1501021611650&utm_campaign=socialfow_jezebel_twitter&utm_source=jezebel_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow
Bingo won’t be happy about no.28. I’m seething about 7.
79, 104 & 141 distress me the most.
Not a lot to argue about there. Impressive work to list 150 turkeys without anything but turkeys.
Bugger, didn’t see 79.
Have an up, Jezebel.
(Can I say that to a wimmin?)