These women will stand the test of time. Clear voices that ring true to me.
1…Jospehine Baker
I wore a vintage dress to prom and was told I looked just like her. What a compliment!
2…Edith Piaf
The most beautiful voice, truly like a little sparrow. I heard an old record from my mothers collection and learned the words to La Vie en Rose at age 10. Still can sing it but not as well.
3…Billie Holiday
Powerful blues to chase away the blues.
4…Ella Fitzgerald
Truly “The First Lady of Song”
5…Celia Cruz
Hail Cuba! When I hear her I shake my hips and do a mean mambo.
6…Rosemary Clooney
Doo Wop with this woman.
7…Rita Moreno
West Side Story is still my all time favorite movie. I think my grandmother looks just like her.
8…Nina Simone
When I first heard her I thought she sounded like a man. But that was the beauty of her voice. Her songs still continue to fascinate me. She sings the depth of her soul.
9…Kiri Te Kanawa
My first love is Opera. At age 3, I went around the house singing arias. At 8, I auditioned before a music coach and was told I wouldn’t succeed because the voice changes. My voice never did and neither did my passion. I sing along with Kiri and imagine the possibilities. You should hear me do the aria from the Queen of the Night from Mozart’s “Die Zauberflöte.”
10…Judy Garland
The Wizard of Oz. A classic in which she is forever immortalized.
11…Marlene Dietrich & Mae West
Two woman who sung went against the mainstream with political messages that are still talked about today. “Come up and see me some time.”
12…Aretha Franklin
Soul sister lifts me up when I am down. She’s strong when I am not.
13. 13…Cher
This woman is an icon spanning 4 generations and we are all still grooving to her tunes!
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
Comment
Love your list, especially Garland. If she had a technically “better” voice, I don’t think she would have been as good. I love Streisand, but once she got her vibrato under control, her singing lost something. Garland always sounded tremulous, and it added so much. And Cher? She’s a force of nature. What’s not to love?
Comment
These women are all amazing!!
This list just proves that good music can stand the test of time. I highly doubt Britney is going to stand the test of time.
And, if you look like the first artist, you must be gorgeous, darling.
Comment
Cher… oh, I couldn’t agree more.
That bit about that music coach made me angry, though. So maybe you weren’t destined for the stage. That doesn’t mean you should be denied a chance to develop such a fabulous instrument, even if it’s only for the shower.
Happy TT!
Comment
I love all of them! Did you see Rita Moreno in Law & Order: Criminal Intent this year? She’s such an amazing actress on top of being a great singer. I also liked her singing in the musical Working.
Comment
Oooh, classic voices. They’re all wonderful. Great list!
Comment
An incredible list of very talented women. You’ve made me feel nostalgic.
Comment
I’m going with Cuban Celia Cruz (“Cabecita de algodon… azuca!!!”) and Puerto Rican Rita Moreno (“Weeeeeeeeeeeepa!”) . Hehehe!
Comment
Oh, great list… love them all… ’specially Aretha and Ella. Would probably have added Lena Horne to this as well
Comment
Great list…I seen #13 in concert. She was great.:smile:
Comment
wonderful list!
Comment
great choices!!!
Comment
They all certainly have fabulous voices, but most of all I love that you called them “songstresses”.
Comment
Great list. I would add Ella James, she has a great voice as well. Happy TT.