Remember this isn’t sexiest singer, it’s who has the sexiest voice.
It’s gotta be Margo Timmins of Cowboy Junkies. AND she’s beautiful too, but I fell in love with her before I even saw what she looked like, except that grainy sorta picture on the Trinity Sessions.
Falc, it was awesome! Actually, all the bands were good. I hope to have half as much energy as Fred Schneider and Kate Pierson do when I’m 50.
Julie London and Sarah Vaughn. Either of them singing My Funny Valentine bring me to tears.
As for a local (San Francisco) favorite… Look for Maria Kramer at Enricos in the city. She has the sweetest voice known to mankind!
Suzanne Vega. Intelligence is a turn-on.
This answer to this question is absolutely and unequivocally:
Kate Pierson of the B52’s
Janis Joplin? How the hell could no one mention Janis? She sends me the lets-get-drunk-and-fuck-like-rabbits vibe.
Tori Amos
Chantal Kreviazuk
Heather Nova
One of the problems with Boris and Portishead is, Boris must always sing along. Beth is a soprano. Boris is a baritone. It’s not that I choose to do it, I must! I am driven!
Another vote for Tina Root of Switchblade Symphony. The problem with them is, I can’t get any of my timid friends to listen to a band with that name. So I am alone in my admiration.
I must get a Sarah Vaughn recording. Your recommendations are piquing me.
Kate Bush! (my goddess…mmmm yes)
Happy Rhodes (she has such a wide range it sounds like a duet between early high-voiced Kate Bush and a low, low, low-voiced Annie Lennox)
Tori Amos (when she chooses to enunciate)
Eddi Reader (check out her album Mirmama)
Kirsty MacColl
Mary Coughlin (die for her version of “I Want To Be Seduced”!
My first thought on reading the title was Fiona Apple.
But up for honorable mention:
Sarah McLachlan
Erika Amato
Ani Difranco - (I’m gonna go listen to “Pulse” again)
Susan Tedeschi