If there's one female voice that cuts through my collective memory of late, it's the vocals of the alien blue lady in The Fifth Element. The first two times I saw that movie she brought tears to my eyes. Next, I can't imagine being happy working in the pop music of the Al Jolson era, but the voice of Glenda the Good Witch from the Wizard of Oz still resonates as a joyful quavering inside me.
Why mention Lady Gaga? That's close to fascist rock, and if not that, she's about the one thing I won't stand in line for. "Poker Face", her first big hit shows it's still worth being the one who pushes the sex talk envelope.
Hearing vocals onstage while you are playing gives you the best environment to assess tonal quality and emotional effect. Donna Summer stood out in the 70's. She had the flat, dull monotone of a wounded woman, the earthy directness of passion, the modern urban conversation of a complicated and conflicted woman, the steady drive and energy of woman to man and dance, and her girlish excited joy. She maintained her attitude over some of the heaviest beats and driving rhythms possible, and first became famous for her heavy breathing as much as her voice.
Karen Carpenter had that hollow and monotone, wounded female voice as her style, with a wide sound. Not a tomb, she almost seemed to be singing from an empty womb.
Why comment on young sexy singers who marry old record executives, lip-synch and hire other singers to cover their high parts or sing along to add quality?
When I hear Judy Garland in my mind, it's usually her laughter first, rueful but at the same time getting off on what she did.
Janis Joplin still pops out once in a while, "didn't I make you feel..."
country, country, Crystal Gayle, a songbird, should have been able to do a good Wendy the Good Witch imitation. Who sang "Stand By Your Man"?
