yep... prior to her solo career she was awesome too. just some good lazy sunday afternoon driving tunes.
Odetta, Joni Mitchell, Chrissie Hynde, Kathleen Hanna, Nina Simone, Mary Gauthier, Lucinda Williams, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Patti Smith, Janis Joplin, Mavis Staples, Carolyn Wonderland.
You know, I didn't even think about all the great jazz, gospel, blues and R&B singers [/that's racist!] There's too many to list, but I will mention Astrud Gilberto, just a beautiful voice. Good call on Carolyn Wonderland too, flashbacks of her and the Hightailers at Last Concert, either Tues/Wednesdays or Wed/Thursdays, can't remember.
someone random i thought of. loved this album <iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VZnSik1HpWw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
A lot have already been mentioned. I'll name some of them and also a few others. Ella Fitzgerald Hope Sandoval Kim Deal Lucinda Williams Karen O Billie Holiday Bjork Patsy Montana Katherine Whalen Madeline Follin Chrissie Hynde Aretha Franklin
Dusty Springfield - breathy, sexy voice <iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qKV9bK-CBXo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Ann & Nancy Wilson - rocked hard when women were supposed to be demure. <iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4gpNqB4dnT4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Debbie Harry (the fact that she's sexy as hell didn't hurt) <iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WGU_4-5RaxU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Lita Ford - exclusively for this song <iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pMDn6V7ZLhE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Sandy Denny had an amazing voice - piercing and clear. <iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hD3F93v1Tdc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Denny is maybe the only person on the planet at the time who could outdo Robert Plant <iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-21AtiWV3TE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Lena Horne Sarah Vaughn Nancy Wilson Nina Simone Roberta Flack Gloria Gaynor Dusty Springfield Lynn Anderson Emmylou Harris Mercedes Sosa Cesária Évora
Joni Mitchell Aretha Franklin PJ Harvey Johnette Napolitano Tracey Thorne Gladys Knight Linda Ronstadt Linda Thompson Rickie Lee Jones Mavis Staples Harriet Wheeler Corrine Drewery Veronica Condomi early Sia with Zero 7 Teena Marie Carole King Bonnie Raitt Sam Phillips - My favorite singer-songwriter of the last 15 years.
I saw her in concert with DEVO a year or more ago, whenever she was in Houston. The friend that took me had an influential "no wave" label called ZE Records when both bands were in their prime and he's old friends with her so I got to go backstage and hang out with them while they caught up. She is STILL incredibly sexy, in her 70's or whatever. She was sexy even when she'd showered and gotten out of her wig and costume and makeup. And she still puts on a hell of a show as does DEVO. I got to ask her about a play she acted in that I really love and that was neat but otherwise I felt sort of like an intruder being in that room, with those two people that had history together and me, a stranger. A few weeks later the same friend took me to David Byrne and St. Vincent (another excellent show) and asked if I wanted to meet David Byrne, who is a hero to me, but after the Debbie Harry thing I passed on his generous offer. I've been really lucky in meeting and even becoming friends with some of my heroes and others I've gotten to know and found we didn't have anything in common apart from an interest in their work. I don't have anything to say to most of the people I admire and they certainly don't have anything to say to me. But I will always treasure the 18 year old memory of shaking Roger Daltrey's hand and gushing all over him while he said "Cheers" over and over, less enthusiastically each time until I let him be.
Grace Potter <iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zpGevOCxAlc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>