# Non-english singing females...want more...need more **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 15, 2002, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-english-singing-females-want-more-need-more/132347 "2002-10-15T16:14:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2002, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-english-singing-females-want-more-need-more/132347/21 "2002-10-18T10:09:54Z")
i’d suggest a compilation Cd i bought for my mother called “Women of the World”, it’s on Union Square music. it features singers from africa, asia, america and europe and has some well known and some not-so well known songs, by some singers that you may or may not know, but definitely should. i will add Amalia (portuguese fado) and Asha Bhosle (indian classical music and bollywood songs) to the list of ladies already named ---
**Author:** ![manwithaplan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@manwithaplan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manwithaplan)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2002, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-english-singing-females-want-more-need-more/132347/22 "2002-10-18T10:55:34Z")
If you want to give traditional Irish music a go, try [Altan](http://www.altan.ie/). The singer, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, sings mostly in Irish. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2002, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-english-singing-females-want-more-need-more/132347/23 "2002-10-18T12:31:02Z")
Mexican singer Rocio Banquels and German singer Angelika Milster are my favorites for show music, along with the above mentioned Ute. If you get into cast recordings, there are plenty of songs sung by female singers. Frida & Agnetha Faltskog, the ladies from ABBA, have both recorded in Swedish (well, duh), and Agnetha has a German CD. ---
**Author:** ![SolGrundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbce88/32.png) [@SolGrundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SolGrundy)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2002, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-english-singing-females-want-more-need-more/132347/24 "2002-10-19T03:13:15Z")
Another vote for Sheila Chandra here. Also, Nomiya Maki of [Pizzicato Five](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00000581X/qid=1034996735/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3/103-4831858-6619860?v=glance). I guess technically it’s more J-Pop, but I love P5 and can’t stand much of J-Pop so take that as you will. And she’s got a fantastic voice. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGrenze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dbc845/32.png) [@KarlGrenze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGrenze)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2002, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-english-singing-females-want-more-need-more/132347/25 "2002-10-19T12:15:25Z")
Daniela Mercury- sings in Portuguese Mercedes Sosa- sings in Spanish ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2002, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-english-singing-females-want-more-need-more/132347/26 "2002-10-19T15:28:48Z")
Another vote for **Zap Mama,** though I prefer their earlier stuff – I especially like the almub “Sabylma.” I also like Dorothy Masuka, who’s from Zimbabwe. I’m assuming you’ve checked out [allmusicguide.com](http://allmusicguide.com)? ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2002, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-english-singing-females-want-more-need-more/132347/27 "2002-10-19T16:22:25Z")
Cesaria Evora: Cape Verdean, sings in Creole and Portugese. Amazing voice. ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2002, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-english-singing-females-want-more-need-more/132347/28 "2002-10-19T16:34:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Legomancer \* > \*\*So I’ll add the Cocteau Twins. She’s English, but you’ll never know, because most of the lyrics are gibberish, chosen only for the sounds. \*\* She’s not English, she’s Scottish. And at least some of the words are Gaelic. ---
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2002, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-english-singing-females-want-more-need-more/132347/29 "2002-10-19T16:55:25Z")
Seriously, if you liked Pief (and I do) may I suggest Lota Lenya; a German version of that soulful European sound from the first half of the 20th century. There are a few recordings out there and some have been remastered and make good listening. On a possibly less serious note, The Singing Nun actually put out two albums in the late 60s. Her voice was not polished, her songs were a bit repetitive, but, on the other hand, a couple were OK. A ringing endorsement, no? If you are even mildly interested in men singers, you might try Yves Montand. He was considered the French Sinatra for quite a while and he was a longtime lover of Piaf (well, longtime for Piaf, at least). TV ---
**Author:** ![Treviathan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/838e76/32.png) [@Treviathan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treviathan)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2002, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-english-singing-females-want-more-need-more/132347/30 "2002-10-19T21:47:22Z")
Julie Doiron is French-Canadian; she has a very distinct, very alluring voice, and sings in both French and English. The independent/university music scene loves her, for good reason. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2002, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-english-singing-females-want-more-need-more/132347/31 "2002-10-20T00:42:55Z")
Your post inspired me to put together a playlist just for you on my [Shoutcast](http://vickie.homeip.net:8000/). It’s not 100% non-English, but close. Here’s an example: Played @ Song Title Alkistis Protopsalti - Kathreftis Current Song Yma Sumac - Llulla Mak’Ta (Andean Don Juan) Madredeus - O Sonho Antonella Ruggiero - stasera che sera, ars ludi Capercaillie - Fosgail an Dorus Nighean Bhuaidh’ Ruadh Dagmar Krause - Der Song von Mandelay Edith Piaf - Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien Marta Sebestyen - Vetettem violÿt Emma Shapplin - Vedi, Maria Francoise Hardy - Voila Haris Alexiou - Ola sou thimizoun Humpe & Humpe - Geschrien im Schlaf Komeda - Glod Iva Bittova - Viola I Le Mystere Des Voix Bulgares - Polegnala E Todora Mari Boine Persen - Oppskrift for Herrefolk (Recip Irina Mikhailova - Molihta Marisa Monte - Beija Eu Mercedes Sosa - Todo Cambia Mouth Music - Seinn O! (sing!) ---
**Author:** ![Caffeine.addict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@Caffeine.addict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caffeine.addict)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2002, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-english-singing-females-want-more-need-more/132347/32 "2002-10-20T01:57:52Z")
You could try Gal Costa- sings in Portuguese, or Maria Bethania- sings in Portuguese as well ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2002, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-english-singing-females-want-more-need-more/132347/33 "2002-10-20T20:11:03Z")
Surely I’m not the only Enya fan on the board? Many of her songs are English, but she also does Gaelic and Latin, and I think she’s done one or two in Spanish as well. ---
**Author:** ![Daoloth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/82dd89/32.png) [@Daoloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daoloth)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2002, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-english-singing-females-want-more-need-more/132347/34 "2002-10-20T21:53:31Z")
Mylene Farmer. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGrenze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dbc845/32.png) [@KarlGrenze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGrenze)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2002, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-english-singing-females-want-more-need-more/132347/35 "2002-10-20T23:18:33Z")
Nah, Chronos, you are not the only Enya fan… ---
**Author:** ![grendel72](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/91b2a8/32.png) [@grendel72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grendel72)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2002, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-english-singing-females-want-more-need-more/132347/36 "2002-10-21T00:19:26Z")
Maki Nomiya, of Pizzicato Five is quite good. I have her solo album Miss Maki Nomiya Sings but none of her pre P5 stuff. Laetitia Sadier of Stereolab sings in french about half the time. ---
**Author:** ![Estilicon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/848f3c/32.png) [@Estilicon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Estilicon)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2002, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-english-singing-females-want-more-need-more/132347/37 "2002-10-21T00:52:33Z")
Well If you like rock specially 70 I can’t recommend Sui Generis enough. If you speak spanish “confesiones de invierno” will be one of the greatest songs you have ever heard. Two persons mentioned Mercedes Sosa, I don’t like her but if you can find it try listening to the “Misa criolla” it’s a mass using traditional argentinian instruments pluss orchestra it’s composer is Ariel Ramirez and it has great moments. As an argentinian I have to recommend Tango, I love it: “La Cumparsita”, “El choclo”, “El firulete”, “Media luz”, “Por una Cabeza”, “Sur”, “Flor de Lino” “Adios Pampa mia”, “Yira, yira”, “Mi Buenos Aires querido”, “Uno”, “El dia que me quieras”, Astor Piazzolla is considered the second gardel, his works is mostly intrumental and he mixes tango with jazz and classical music. It’s tango but it is a lot more. Incidentally if there are any dutch in here his most famous composition “Adios nonino” was used in Prince William wedding. “Libertango”, “Toccata y fuga”, are also great. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2002, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-english-singing-females-want-more-need-more/132347/38 "2002-10-21T22:55:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Annie-Xmas \* > \*\*German singer Angelika Milster \*\* I was going to say the same (and not just because she and I used to be drinking buddies in Berlin). She starred in the original German version of Cats (in Vienna) and has done a lot of musical theater - she also has some decent non-show tune CD’s out. ---
**Author:** ![Dragon\_Phoenix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@Dragon\_Phoenix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragon_Phoenix)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2002, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-english-singing-females-want-more-need-more/132347/39 "2002-10-22T06:09:18Z")
Faye Wong Teresa Teng Sandy Lim Laura Pansini Dalida Juliane Werding ---
**Author:** ![Peanuthead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peanuthead/32/360_2.png) [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2002, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-english-singing-females-want-more-need-more/132347/40 "2002-10-22T11:00:15Z")
Check out a Portugese singer (from Canada) who goes by only one name, **Lhasa**. She has one of the sexiest voices I’ve ever heard. Look for her CD entitled Llorando. The cut _El Desierto_ is absolutely magnificent! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-english-singing-females-want-more-need-more/132347.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-english-singing-females-want-more-need-more/132347.md?page=3)