I used the Music-Map website — http://www.music-map.com — find suggestions for artists like Van Morrison, and one of the names that showed up was Joan Armatrading. The name sounded vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t place any specific song, so I looked her up on Spotify, and, wow! Amazing!
I also found Phoebe Snow, Leon Redbone, John Hiatt, David Gray, John Prine, J.J. Cale, and Ry Cooder. But. Wow! Joan Armatrading!
Any other suggestions along those lines?
I think you’ll like Tracy Chapman if you like Joan Armatrading.
Ry Cooder is basically blue-eyed soul and some blues, have you tried The Spencer Davis Group & Joe Cocker & even Van Morrison?
Dunno, man. Me Myself I and Walk Under Ladders were reasonably popular and got some amount of airplay in the early 80s.
She was bigger in the UK than the US. “Call Me Names” and “Drop the Pilot” are also great songs.
I discussed her in my blog.
If you want a quality female singer and are prepared for a leaning towards Jazz you could try some Sade.
TCMF-2L
Although his output varies wildly, it is always solidly rooted in rural blues and gospel music. I would recommend starting with his early albums as the musical journey he’s undergone since he began his recording career 20 years ago, when he was already nearly 50 years old. His lyrics can be grotesque, disturbing, the world view expressed twisted but aware. It’s some of the most outwardly despondent music I’ve ever heard, and it’s perversely glorious because of it.
Johnny Dowd - God Created Woman
Johnny Dowd - Mystery Woman
Those are from his 2nd album; compare them to this song recorded nearly a decade (and 6 albums) later:
If language isn’t a barrier, I can recommend a couple:
Bombino - Aman (from Niger)
Fatoumata Diawara - Makoun Oumou (from Mali)
I’ll try and finish strong: here’s a young lady I just discovered about a year ago. She’s from South Africa but spent a few years busking in Berlin before recording some stuff and starting to do real gigs (with a band). (Don’t worry, it’s all in English.)
Sade is so brilliant. She’s her own food group of music. It’s like every album is the same, while completely successful unto itself. Another layer of sophistication we mere mortals can only hope for.
Ascenray, yeah, welcome to Joan. She’s great. Of the acoustic-low key women of that era, she is so much better than Chapman or Merchant to my ear.
Bo cool; thanks. I like the Malian woman a lot. That She song was a bit to Helen Reddy/I Am Woman for me. I get her approach and like it; should listen to more.
Now, if we’re discussing strong contemporary women singers with an international feel, I would go with:
Catarina Garcia of the Colombian 1920’s jazz combo Monsieur Perine: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JGL-eQAAxGs She’s got a beautiful, even tone - like a more dynamic Norah Jones - and she sells the Spanish lyrics so well even though I can’t follow them. And the fact that she’s so beautiful - she’s got Nefertiti’s cheekbones - only adds to her allure.
Jenny and the Mexicats - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KuM7jzv6io8 she’s like a Latin Gwen Stefani - great, accessible songs sung by a blonde, hot front woman who doesn’t shy away from using her sexuality to sell the song, but is clearly “one of the guys” as a band member and crafter of sound. Look at her lean into her trumpet part for some classic Mexican harmony work. Very cool.
Armatrading is a singer-writer, of course. Tough gig. Always liked her production as well.
It’s not my scene but people like Beverley Knight have been highly respected in the UK for decades. More gospel/soul that Joan but proper integrity.
Fwiw, I always liked Natalie merchants solo work.
Ry Cooder is one of those musicians not many people know, but other musicians know and love.
He’s probably most widely known for his work with Buena Vista Social Club. And if you liked that, don’t miss the album of previously unreleased stuff that came out a few years ago.
Judee Sill is my favorite unknown singer songwriter. She was the first Asylum artist, and she died young.
Dunno. I am kind of a music illiterate, but a friend introduced me to her. I love her work.