Altos and Contraltos
September 8, 2009 9:01 PM Subscribe
Female singers with low, rich alto voices?
I'm a big fan of Heather Headley's voice. Headley (you can hear clips of her on Youtube) has this amazingly powerful, velvety voice that sounds especially luscious and resonant on the low end. I shiver when she sings in her contralto range. But I'm not the biggest fan of R&B, which is what she's been churning out for the last few years. Her songs from the Broadway production of Elton John's 'Aida' showcase her voice a bit better, but I'm not interested in listening to those on end either. Anyone know of more female singers-- either popular or classical performers-- who have similar voices? Rich, velvety timbre a must. If range matters, I'm interested in women whose most powerful sounds fall in D3 to G4.
I'm a big fan of Heather Headley's voice. Headley (you can hear clips of her on Youtube) has this amazingly powerful, velvety voice that sounds especially luscious and resonant on the low end. I shiver when she sings in her contralto range. But I'm not the biggest fan of R&B, which is what she's been churning out for the last few years. Her songs from the Broadway production of Elton John's 'Aida' showcase her voice a bit better, but I'm not interested in listening to those on end either. Anyone know of more female singers-- either popular or classical performers-- who have similar voices? Rich, velvety timbre a must. If range matters, I'm interested in women whose most powerful sounds fall in D3 to G4.
India.arie. Not all R&B.
posted by ten pounds of inedita at 9:09 PM on September 8, 2009
posted by ten pounds of inedita at 9:09 PM on September 8, 2009
Maureen McGovern, Try out "Midnight Blue" see if you like.
posted by effluvia at 9:10 PM on September 8, 2009
posted by effluvia at 9:10 PM on September 8, 2009
Shakira?
posted by ValkoSipuliSuola at 9:16 PM on September 8, 2009
posted by ValkoSipuliSuola at 9:16 PM on September 8, 2009
Diane Schuur.
posted by torquemaniac at 9:18 PM on September 8, 2009
posted by torquemaniac at 9:18 PM on September 8, 2009
Lucinda Williams, Neko Case.
posted by showbiz_liz at 9:20 PM on September 8, 2009
posted by showbiz_liz at 9:20 PM on September 8, 2009
Response by poster: Thanks for all the replies! Still not quite what I'm looking for; maybe "luscious" and "velvety" were the wrong words. The main quality that appeals to me about Headley's voice is her power-- an edgy, almost masculine way of belting it out. I love Karen Carpenter's voice but she's much softer and more feminine. India.arie has the right range but she's way too breathy for me. Many many thanks, though (and keep the suggestions coming!).
posted by ms.codex at 9:22 PM on September 8, 2009
posted by ms.codex at 9:22 PM on September 8, 2009
I love Cassandra Wilson. She has a powerful, rich voice (contralto), is a gifted stylist, and draws from diverse musical sources. Her voice is strongly influenced by jazz and the blues, as well as some of the great standards stylists, but she pulls from world music, country, folk, pop, and rock, too. When she started recording for Blue Note, she really found her feet, so I'd look at music produced on that album first.
She makes me want to curl up inside her voice.
posted by julen at 9:30 PM on September 8, 2009 [3 favorites]
She makes me want to curl up inside her voice.
posted by julen at 9:30 PM on September 8, 2009 [3 favorites]
Had you not downplayed R&B, the obvious answers are Anita Baker and Toni Braxton.
posted by netbros at 9:31 PM on September 8, 2009
posted by netbros at 9:31 PM on September 8, 2009
Response by poster: Diana Krall and Neko Case: getting warmer! Both of these are fantastic. Thanks, guys.
posted by ms.codex at 9:33 PM on September 8, 2009
posted by ms.codex at 9:33 PM on September 8, 2009
Amanda Palmer?
posted by hellboundforcheddar at 9:34 PM on September 8, 2009
posted by hellboundforcheddar at 9:34 PM on September 8, 2009
Billie Holiday!
posted by The Light Fantastic at 9:42 PM on September 8, 2009
posted by The Light Fantastic at 9:42 PM on September 8, 2009
Response by poster: Just listened Anita Baker, Toni Braxton (yowza!), and Mavis Staples-- all women with great low notes but who favor a kind of breathy intonation. I'm not opposed to R&B per se-- it just has several elements that are off-putting to me (that drum-kit percussion, that puppyish heartache about some guy or other).
posted by ms.codex at 9:43 PM on September 8, 2009
posted by ms.codex at 9:43 PM on September 8, 2009
Sarah Vaughan
posted by LittleMissCranky at 9:44 PM on September 8, 2009
posted by LittleMissCranky at 9:44 PM on September 8, 2009
Oh, hey: Fiona Apple.
posted by ten pounds of inedita at 9:48 PM on September 8, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by ten pounds of inedita at 9:48 PM on September 8, 2009 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Amanda Palmer...that's some strange stuff. Dayna Kurtz, Diana Schurr and Lucinda Williams all pronounce their r's really prominently, which tends to close off their vowels.
posted by ms.codex at 9:49 PM on September 8, 2009
posted by ms.codex at 9:49 PM on September 8, 2009
Nina Simone! The first time I heard her, I was shocked that voice wasn't coming out of a man.
posted by lunasol at 9:50 PM on September 8, 2009
posted by lunasol at 9:50 PM on September 8, 2009
Oleta Adams, Tasmin Archer, Tracy Chapman, Tina Turner, Sarah Vaughan, Sam Philips, Patty Griffin.
I'm surprised you thought Neko Case was on track. I do love her, but I don't think her voice is really spectacular at the lower range, it's her haunting high yelp that I love.
There's an amazing Fado singer named Mariza -- I'd bet dollars to donuts that you'll loooove her.
posted by pazazygeek at 9:57 PM on September 8, 2009 [1 favorite]
I'm surprised you thought Neko Case was on track. I do love her, but I don't think her voice is really spectacular at the lower range, it's her haunting high yelp that I love.
There's an amazing Fado singer named Mariza -- I'd bet dollars to donuts that you'll loooove her.
posted by pazazygeek at 9:57 PM on September 8, 2009 [1 favorite]
Aw, damn, ten pounds of inedita beat me to Fiona. But I have links!
Recent: Extraordinary Machine and Tymps
First CD: Criminal
Cover: Across the Universe
posted by maudlin at 10:01 PM on September 8, 2009 [1 favorite]
Recent: Extraordinary Machine and Tymps
First CD: Criminal
Cover: Across the Universe
posted by maudlin at 10:01 PM on September 8, 2009 [1 favorite]
Oh, also, whichever of the Indigo Girls has the low, gravelly voice... And seconding Lucinda Williams.
posted by lunasol at 10:02 PM on September 8, 2009
posted by lunasol at 10:02 PM on September 8, 2009
Oh, also, whichever of the Indigo Girls has the low, gravelly voice
Amy Ray.
posted by ten pounds of inedita at 10:03 PM on September 8, 2009
Amy Ray.
posted by ten pounds of inedita at 10:03 PM on September 8, 2009
Tin Cup Prophette. She's seriously ten thousand kinds of amazing.
posted by Eumachia L F at 10:10 PM on September 8, 2009
posted by Eumachia L F at 10:10 PM on September 8, 2009
Response by poster: Fiona Apple: score.
pazazygeek: I think I like Neko Case's voice because she has the right sort of timbre when she belts. I like Mariza too (what a find!), in a different way, but she's actually a little too throaty for me.
posted by ms.codex at 10:15 PM on September 8, 2009
pazazygeek: I think I like Neko Case's voice because she has the right sort of timbre when she belts. I like Mariza too (what a find!), in a different way, but she's actually a little too throaty for me.
posted by ms.codex at 10:15 PM on September 8, 2009
k.d. lang: Constant Craving; Miss Chatelaine
Jackie Abbot from Beautiful South: Dream a Little Dream
Emily Haines: Doctor Blind
posted by maudlin at 10:19 PM on September 8, 2009
Jackie Abbot from Beautiful South: Dream a Little Dream
Emily Haines: Doctor Blind
posted by maudlin at 10:19 PM on September 8, 2009
I bet you would really like Tracey Thorn from "Everything but the Girl". She also did some stuff with Style Council.
posted by Edubya at 10:26 PM on September 8, 2009
posted by Edubya at 10:26 PM on September 8, 2009
This is a somewhat obscure recommendation, but reading your description of what you're looking for brought the Japanese singer Mai Yamane immediately- this song has a particularly impressive vocal performance from her, IMO.
Not exactly the easiest artist to get into, though- she's known here mainly for the anime soundtrack stuff she's done with Yoko Kanno, and the songs she sings on there are scattered among a bunch of different CDs, while her solo stuff seems to be pretty much impossible to find outside of Japan.
posted by a louis wain cat at 10:32 PM on September 8, 2009
Not exactly the easiest artist to get into, though- she's known here mainly for the anime soundtrack stuff she's done with Yoko Kanno, and the songs she sings on there are scattered among a bunch of different CDs, while her solo stuff seems to be pretty much impossible to find outside of Japan.
posted by a louis wain cat at 10:32 PM on September 8, 2009
Patty Griffin might fit the bill. Try Rain or (one of my favorite songs ever) Long Ride Home.
Johnette Napolitano from Concrete Blonde also might work for you, although I'm not sure how well that music has aged out of the early 90s. But I immediately thought of their cover of Leonard Cohen's Everybody Knows when I read your question.
posted by bibliowench at 10:33 PM on September 8, 2009 [1 favorite]
Johnette Napolitano from Concrete Blonde also might work for you, although I'm not sure how well that music has aged out of the early 90s. But I immediately thought of their cover of Leonard Cohen's Everybody Knows when I read your question.
posted by bibliowench at 10:33 PM on September 8, 2009 [1 favorite]
Dusty Springfield: I Don't Know What To Do With Myself
Rosemary Clooney: Sway
Elizabeth Fraser of This Mortal Coil:Song to the Siren
Roberta Flack: Killing Me Softly
posted by maudlin at 10:37 PM on September 8, 2009
Rosemary Clooney: Sway
Elizabeth Fraser of This Mortal Coil:Song to the Siren
Roberta Flack: Killing Me Softly
posted by maudlin at 10:37 PM on September 8, 2009
Yeah, Fiona Apple must have gone through a lot of bourbon and cigarettes in a previous life. Hell of a voice. Now if she can just get over herself.
Old school, there's always Joan Armatrading. I suppose she's R&B, but not in the modern sense.
Speaking of which, since it's been 80's day on MetaFilter anyway, there's always Sade. (A world with more bossa nova is a better world.)
posted by rokusan at 11:06 PM on September 8, 2009
Old school, there's always Joan Armatrading. I suppose she's R&B, but not in the modern sense.
Speaking of which, since it's been 80's day on MetaFilter anyway, there's always Sade. (A world with more bossa nova is a better world.)
posted by rokusan at 11:06 PM on September 8, 2009
How about October Project? I always loved their singer's incredibly rich, deep voice, though the lyrics and general aesthetic were never as much to my taste. The singer, Mary Fahl, has since done a variety of semi-classical projects (and Pink Floyd "re-imaginings") which I'd be interested to hear but haven't yet.
posted by thesmallmachine at 11:11 PM on September 8, 2009
posted by thesmallmachine at 11:11 PM on September 8, 2009
Oh, and Odetta! I wish more of her older material was up on YouTube -- she's disproportionately represented by concert footage from her last few years -- but this version of Motherless Child should give a hint of her power, as should this "Amazing Grace" (if you can get past everyone and everything else in the clip).
And here's her singing the lovely song Stephin Merritt wrote for her, "Waltzing Me All The Way Home."
posted by thesmallmachine at 11:28 PM on September 8, 2009
And here's her singing the lovely song Stephin Merritt wrote for her, "Waltzing Me All The Way Home."
posted by thesmallmachine at 11:28 PM on September 8, 2009
Seconding Nina Simone. "Mississippi Goddamn" is one of the most powerful songs you will ever hear. Her laconic yet chilling interjection "This is a showtune, but the show for it hasn't been written yet" kills me every time I hear it.
posted by Asparagirl at 11:31 PM on September 8, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Asparagirl at 11:31 PM on September 8, 2009 [1 favorite]
I've always loved Alison Moyet's voice. Lots of examples here.
posted by seancake at 11:59 PM on September 8, 2009
posted by seancake at 11:59 PM on September 8, 2009
OP, I know you said that Karen Carpenter is too soft and feminine, but I hope you try some more of her songs. She had an amazing contralto voice that could be soft (e.g. Rainy Days and Mondays, linked above) or haunting, e.g. : Crescent Noon.
And if you're talking power, I can't believe no one has mentioned Mahalia Jackson yet.
Rachelle Ferrell can get pretty deep, though she's not a contralto per se. She has an amazing range, and is certainly very powerful. Example of her performing live (she is amazing live).
posted by thread_makimaki at 1:13 AM on September 9, 2009
And if you're talking power, I can't believe no one has mentioned Mahalia Jackson yet.
Rachelle Ferrell can get pretty deep, though she's not a contralto per se. She has an amazing range, and is certainly very powerful. Example of her performing live (she is amazing live).
posted by thread_makimaki at 1:13 AM on September 9, 2009
Everyone beat me to Fiona Apple.
How about Rachel Yamagata and Feist?
posted by like_neon at 2:02 AM on September 9, 2009
How about Rachel Yamagata and Feist?
posted by like_neon at 2:02 AM on September 9, 2009
lisa gerrard (ex dead can dance) has an amazing voice in that range.
i've seen her a couple of times live and was blown away.
posted by soi-disant at 3:51 AM on September 9, 2009
i've seen her a couple of times live and was blown away.
posted by soi-disant at 3:51 AM on September 9, 2009
Ana Carolina. I especially love the album she did with Seu Jorge. I've listened to their duet É Isso Aí a million times and it still gives me chills.
posted by wallaby at 4:15 AM on September 9, 2009
posted by wallaby at 4:15 AM on September 9, 2009
At the risk of being obvious, Marilyn Horne and Eva Cassidy.
posted by notquitemaryann at 4:17 AM on September 9, 2009
posted by notquitemaryann at 4:17 AM on September 9, 2009
Just because all of the obvious ones seem to have been done (to me) I'll suggest:
* Beverley Craven, she was really big in the UK in the early 90s. Her biggest hit on YouTube. She does wander higher than some of the above in this particular example, though, but many of her tracks are quite low.
* Lisa Stansfield
* Heather Small
* My best example.. her name has totally escaped me, which is weird since I own her album. She's a slightly overweight British singer who did a covers album back in 2004 (and tons of her own material back in the 90s). She's probably my most obvious answer to this question but I've forgotten her name. Perhaps someone else can remember it.. :)
posted by wackybrit at 5:08 AM on September 9, 2009
* Beverley Craven, she was really big in the UK in the early 90s. Her biggest hit on YouTube. She does wander higher than some of the above in this particular example, though, but many of her tracks are quite low.
* Lisa Stansfield
* Heather Small
* My best example.. her name has totally escaped me, which is weird since I own her album. She's a slightly overweight British singer who did a covers album back in 2004 (and tons of her own material back in the 90s). She's probably my most obvious answer to this question but I've forgotten her name. Perhaps someone else can remember it.. :)
posted by wackybrit at 5:08 AM on September 9, 2009
Just released, it was Alison Moyet, someone already mentioned it above ;-) Here's an example from her.
posted by wackybrit at 5:10 AM on September 9, 2009
posted by wackybrit at 5:10 AM on September 9, 2009
Mary Chapin Carpenter, also, oddly, Karen Carpenter (no relation. In fact Karen Carpenter had THE most amazing alto voice in pop music.)
posted by nax at 5:27 AM on September 9, 2009
posted by nax at 5:27 AM on September 9, 2009
Adele? She's got serious vocal power and I like her blunt low notes in a few of her songs, like Hometown Glory. .
posted by potatopeople at 5:56 AM on September 9, 2009
posted by potatopeople at 5:56 AM on September 9, 2009
Serena Ryder
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxIkRTlX05k
posted by peagood at 6:28 AM on September 9, 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxIkRTlX05k
posted by peagood at 6:28 AM on September 9, 2009
Bird York
She has such a hauntingly beautiful voice.
posted by mrsshotglass at 7:11 AM on September 9, 2009
She has such a hauntingly beautiful voice.
posted by mrsshotglass at 7:11 AM on September 9, 2009
Ever seen Across the Universe? Check out Dana Fuchs, that woman can belt it out.
Helter Skelter (from the movie--her voice isn't always that gritty)
Strung Out
Otherwise, you could try Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings (actually a modern group despite the retro music video)
100 Days, 100 Nights
posted by castlebravo at 8:08 AM on September 9, 2009
Helter Skelter (from the movie--her voice isn't always that gritty)
Strung Out
Otherwise, you could try Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings (actually a modern group despite the retro music video)
100 Days, 100 Nights
posted by castlebravo at 8:08 AM on September 9, 2009
I love strong-voiced women singers. There are great suggestions here. Here are some I didn't see posted already (apologies for any duplicates):
Beth Orton
Anna Nalick
Brandi Carlile
Grace Potter
Madeleine Peyroux
Terra Naomi
Amanda Marshall
Holly Cole
KT Tunstall
Shelby Lynne
Lorrie Morgan
Mary Gauthier
Missy Higgins
Shannon McNally
Nerina Pallot (maybe too breathy)
posted by notashroom at 8:29 AM on September 9, 2009
Beth Orton
Anna Nalick
Brandi Carlile
Grace Potter
Madeleine Peyroux
Terra Naomi
Amanda Marshall
Holly Cole
KT Tunstall
Shelby Lynne
Lorrie Morgan
Mary Gauthier
Missy Higgins
Shannon McNally
Nerina Pallot (maybe too breathy)
posted by notashroom at 8:29 AM on September 9, 2009
Seconding trunk muffins' recommendation of Shara Worden, but her most powerful low-range stuff is on The Decemberists' "Hazards of Love". Her My Brightest Diamond songs don't come close to that sound.
posted by rocket88 at 9:17 AM on September 9, 2009
posted by rocket88 at 9:17 AM on September 9, 2009
Couple of other women with a beautiful low timbre since we are branching out a little:
Cesaria Evora
Natalie Merchant
Dani Klein of Vaya Con Dios
Billie Myers
Anouk
Sharleen Spiteri of Texas
and last but far from least a fave of mine, Ane Brun from Norway.
posted by Iteki at 1:42 PM on September 9, 2009
Cesaria Evora
Natalie Merchant
Dani Klein of Vaya Con Dios
Billie Myers
Anouk
Sharleen Spiteri of Texas
and last but far from least a fave of mine, Ane Brun from Norway.
posted by Iteki at 1:42 PM on September 9, 2009
Shirley Bassey ( sang a lot of the James Bond themes, like Diamonds are Forever). What a wonderful voice--really belts it out. Check out her greatest hits album. Very rich, powerful voice.
posted by I'm Brian and so's my wife! at 4:45 PM on September 9, 2009
posted by I'm Brian and so's my wife! at 4:45 PM on September 9, 2009
Hey, what about Cher? Chrissie Hynde?
posted by Clyde Mnestra at 7:29 AM on September 10, 2009
posted by Clyde Mnestra at 7:29 AM on September 10, 2009
Re Cher nomination: check out the well-behaved horse!
posted by Clyde Mnestra at 7:41 AM on September 10, 2009
posted by Clyde Mnestra at 7:41 AM on September 10, 2009
Seconding Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings. I saw her live and that tiny lady had enough energy and enthusiasm to fill the entire hall, not to mention one powerful set of pipes.
posted by Devika at 9:55 AM on September 10, 2009
posted by Devika at 9:55 AM on September 10, 2009
Response by poster: Thanks for this AMAZING list of suggestions. To the person who suggested Lisa Gerrard-- holy bovine that woman can sing.
posted by ms.codex at 9:21 PM on September 10, 2009
posted by ms.codex at 9:21 PM on September 10, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by The Light Fantastic at 9:07 PM on September 8, 2009