even if they have the “plumping” you’re attracted to. My favorite female singer I like as a singer, and not necessairly for looks: Natalie Merchant
Carole King. I didn’t ever find her particularly physically attractive (though I do have a thing for curly hair), but I find her voice very sexy.
Not to say Natalie isn’t a cutie!
I have to agree she’s talented, but her voice still drives me nuts, I just can’t get myself to like it.
My vote would be for Amy Winehouse. If she could get herself cleaned up and keep up the writing, I think she’d have some staying power.
I have to go with my all-time favorite, Anneke van Giersbergen, formerly lead singer for The Gathering, now with Agua de Annique, and several guest vocals with bands ranging from Globus to Moonspell to Lawn to Napalm Death, among several others. I’ve often said I could listen to her sing the tax code and I’d have a smile on my face.
I have no idea what the OP means…‘plumping’?
I have no idea what else one would like a singer for if not their talent(?)
But… music goes in your ears.
I meant “plumbing” couldn’t edit!
OK, so, the thread is about singers of your preferred gender you like for their musical talent, not because you’re attracted to them?
In what I thus assume is the spirit of the thread, Tomoko Kawase. I make no secret of being seriously attracted to her, but, that’s not why I like her music. I love her songwriting, and her singing…the fact that she’s incredibly attractive is simply a bonus.
See, I would frame that differently. Natalie Merchant has a wonderful instrument - her voice’s sonority is beautiful. However, and forgive me for threadshitting on your preference, I happen to hate, hate, hate her as a singer - exactly because it doesn’t feel like she does anything interesting *with *her instrument. She never, ever pushes her voice or sings outside a tight vocal range. And I don’t hear any emotional connection in the songs - it feels like she sings all songs the same and somewhat flat emotionally.
I would lump **Tracy Chapman into this same category: beautiful vocal instrument but I wish she would do something more with it. On the other hand, Karen Carpenter **also had an amazing vocal instrument and a fairly low-key delivery, but I felt like she really knew how to use her instrument and sell the emotion behind the lyrics, however 70’s poppy they may be…
In terms of talent first as a singer - well, nobody beats the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. I would also say the of the new over-singing singers, Christina Aguilera has the vocal instrument I find the most compelling - I just wish she quit over-singing so much - she is the exact opposite of Natalie Merchant in that respect…
I’ll be surprised if anyone knows who this is but I love Agnetha Faltksog; aka “the blond girl in ABBA.”
Her voice is so crystal clear and pure. I have several of her solo albums; some in English, some in Swedish.
I wish I could sing like her.