A Few of the World’s Best Female Music Artists
Some of the world’s best music artists are women. Here are a few of them and their greatest works.
Tori Amos, Little Earthquakes (Atlantic, 1992): Considered as one of her more accessible works, Tori Amos’s debut album is heavily exploratory and confessional. This album contains songs like Silent All These Years and Crucify. She even sings a cappella about her rape in the song Me and A Gun.
Blondie, Parallel Lines (Capitol, 1978): Their third album, Parallel Lines, came out with Blondie’s first US hit, Heart of Glass. The band is considered one of the pioneers of American punk rock and new wave. Debbie Harry fronts the band, and lends her unique sneering vocals to each song.
Tina Turner, Private Dancer (Capitol, 1984): Her fifth solo album after a publicized breakup with husband and music partner Ike, Private Dancer catapulted Tina Turner back to superstardom. This album contains pop classics What’s Love Got To Do with It, Better Be Good To Me, and Private Dancer.
Sarah Vaughan, The Complete Sarah Vaughan on Mercury (Mercury, 1986): Sometimes nicknamed Sassy or The Divine One, Sarah Vaughan was one of the most distinguished jazz singers in the twentieth century. Her time with Mercury records is said to have produced her best works.
Nina Simone, High Priestess of Soul (Phillips, 1966): An accomplished vocalist, songwriter, pianist, and civil rights activist, Nina Simone was an eclectic artist. Her High Priestess of Soul album is brooding and encompassing. It contains hits like Don’t Pay Them No Mind, and African Church Folk songs like Take Me To The Water.
Dusty Springfield, Dusty in Memphis (Atlantic 1968): A popular British singer, Dusty Springfield ventured into Memphis between 1968 and 1969 to work with producers Jerry Wexier, Tom Dowd, and Arif Mardin. This produced classics such as Son of A Preacher Man, Just a Little Lovin’ and Breakfast In Bed.
The Pretenders, Learning to Crawl (Sire, 1984): The album is the band’s third, after a two year hiatus when two of their members died of drug overdoses. The departed members were replaced, and some well-known sessionists played in a few of the album’s tracks. Chrissie Hynde is at her best here with songs like Back In The Chain Gang, Middle Of The Road, and My City Was Gone.
Joni Mitchell, Blue (Warner Bros., 1971): This is Joni Mitchell’s most critically acclaimed album and contains poetic and intimate songs. The album includes All I Really Want, This Flight Tonight, and A Case of You.
Source:
Creative Loafing