Many of my favorites didn't even make the final four--Alison Krauss, Joni Mitchell, Sinead O'Connor, Chrissie Hynde, to name a few.
The leader for pretty much the whole contest has been the First Lady of Song, Ella Fitzgerald, with seven votes.
This isn't surprising--she sang forever, and she sang like no one else. She could sing anything and make it her own. Tied for second are the two Joans: Joan Baez and Barbra Joan Streisand.
I never knew Baez had such a strong following! I always figured Judy Collins or Joni Mitchell (what's with all the Js?) would've come out as the strongest singer of that era of musical history. But hey--what do I know? I don't know that I've ever even heard Baez sing. Maybe I'll get over to YouTube and give her a listen.In last place we find... Celine Dion; I can't say I'm disappointed by her performance!
She only got in by virtue of getting two votes where others had gotten only one each, but that's not to say that one or both of those two votes wasn't a joke-vote!Please let me know in the comments if there's someone else you'd like to see take over Dion's slot in the final four. Our judges will certainly consider the voices of the people in making their decision!
So vote now, vote often!
20 comments:
I say kick out Celine Dion (yuck) and add Eva Cassidy. I believe I have all of her recordings (few as they are sadly) and she has a hugely diverse collection of styles among them. She simply has the most beautiful female singing voice EVER. IMHO.
It's sad that she died so young, Lynne. So that's one vote for Eva Cassidy to kick the Sleestak I mean Celine Dion out of the final four.
And whoa, Ella's gotten another two votes!
I just voted.
I like a few of Celine Dion's hits but I don't care for her that much. What about Whitney Houston (forget her lifestyle).
But, if you are talking about GREATS - Babs.
I'm going to vote now.
Heck, it's your blog. You add your own favorite to replace Celine Dion.
You would have had a lot more votes for Joan Baez if you hadn't set up the system so we could vote only once. Jeez, what kind of democracy is that? It's downright un-American.
You have great taste in music (and politics too!). I hope that you will be able to give Joan Baez a closer listen soon. She will have a new studio album (on CD & vinyl) released on 9/9 called "Day After Tomorrow" (a very moving Tom Waitts song)produced by Steve Earle. There is another new CD (to be released in USA on 9/16)that you and your readers may be interested in called "Born to the Breed: A Tribute to Judy Collins". [One of your favorites Chrissie Hynde is involved.] Here is the track listing:
1. Since You've Asked - Joan Baez
2. Easy Times - Jim Lauderdale
3. The Fisherman Song - Dolly Parton
4. My Father - Chrissie Hynde
5. Secret Gardens - Shawn Colvin
6. Song for Martin - Kenny White
7. Born to the Breed - Amy Speace
8. Albatross - Rufus Wainwright
9. Fortune of Soldiers - The Webb Sisters
10. The Fallow Way - Jimmy Webb
11. Trust Your Heart - Bernadette Peters
12. Holly Ann - The Weaver Song - Dar Williams
13. Song for Sarajevo - Ali Eskandarian
14. Che - James Mudriczki (of Puressence)
15. Since You've Asked - Leonard Cohen Reprise: Spoken Word)
Thanks for including Joan in your poll.I like many songs from all of the choices, but Joan has been a top favorite of mine for 31 years, both for her music and activism.
:) Dave
It looks like a bunch of Joan Baez fans have shown up recently.
Joan was the closest to an operatic voice of the Three J's (Joni and Judy being the other two). Personally, I liked Joan and Judy about equally, with Joni in third.
Instead of Celine Dion, I'd put in a nomination for Etta James, since the list is weak in the rock/soul category.
Joan Baez is the Queen. She's been singing for over 50 years and is now 67........check her out and read her biography "And a Voice to Sing With"........she has a new album coming out on 9th Sept called Day After Tomorrow.......she continues to tour and has just returned from Europe and is due to tour again in September - check her out. I've been a fan for 50 years - I live in Australia and hope that she will visit our shores in the near future..............
Saskia
I like Celine Dion when she sings in French, but she's stopped recording in that language and I find her English selections insipid. Ella is a goddess, there's no doubt. And Joan Baez is a legend both for her voice and her courageous activism for peace, justice and non-violence. Streisand has a glorious voice and good progressive politics. Each one of the finalists is unique within their genre.
" And Joan Baez is a legend both for her voice and her courageous activism for peace, justice and non-violence."
I totally agree with you - she is so unique and a wonderful human being..........bless her always.
Saskia
I don't have a favorite. I just discovered that as I thought about your question. I can tell you that I will leave the room if Celine Dion is on tv. I won't bother you with listing all my reasons, but I have some.
Everyone's taste in music is different. To say that my vote for Celine Dion is a "joke vote" is insulting.
There are many singers I enjoy...Celine Dion is just one of many. I also like Aretha Franklin, Brenda Lee, Carly Simon, Cher, Dionne Warwick, and Judy Collins to name just a few.
It's your blog so I guess you can say and do anything you want.
DCup--thanks!
Mary--yes, Whitney Houston wasn't called "The Voice" for nothing. But her longevity isn't anything like these other greats, I think. Thanks for voting!
NCMtnWoman--believe me, if I could've rigged it so we could vote as often as we wanted, Streisand would be kicking the world's ass! But the poll function in Blogger doesn't let you do that. Hmph.
Dave/Anon--Welcome to my bloggy! I still need to listen to her on YouTube! Thanks for the info!
MattyBoy--looks like Baez is being googled all the time or something. No big. It could be the same with any of the others, but it isn't--which I guess is a tribute to Baez's lasting appeal.
Saskia--wow, an Aussie visitor! Welcome to the bloggy, and thanks for your vote and the info!
Dick--welcome to the bloggy! Yes, Baez's activism is to be praised, as is Streisand's. I didn't know Celine Dion sang in French as well (she's French Canadian, right?). I think her selections in English are geared toward a certain market, hence the sappy power ballads. She does have a great voice, but she annoys me.
PoP--really? Now I'm curious. Does she worship Dick Cheney or something?
Richard--I didn't mean to offend you by saying it might've been a joke vote (especially since it was your first time on the blog!)--sorry about that. To each his own, and Dion's gotten a few votes all on her own. Still--the other finalists seem to be getting more attention. Longevity has a lot to do with that, I think--and perhaps the fact that they have explored various genres, where Dion tends to stick to the ballads.
Hi dguzman (not sure of your first name),
Thanks for the welcome! I see that you live in Pennsylvania. I grew up in Philadelphia, and then lived in a beautiful little town (full of birds) called Yardley. (until 8th grade, then CA)By the way, Joan has recorded quite a few songs "about" birds: "Txoria Txori" (in Basque language), "Cucurrucucu Paloma" & "Pajarillo Barranqueno" (in Spanish), El Rossinyol" (in Catalan), "'Nu Bello Cadillo" (in Portuguese),and "The Swallow Song", "Seabirds", "The Carol of the Birds", "Donna, Donna", "Glad Bluebird of Happiness" (all in English). In fact, her new record label is called "Bobolink" (after the bird). Joan spends a lot of time in her treehouse, with birds all around her. You two have a lot in common actually. You are destined to become a fan. :) LOL
Dave in SF, CA, USA
Not my first time on your blog and also not the first time I've commented. Guess I got up on the wrong side of the bed.
What to change my vote to CHER just to be different...lol.
Dave--"Cucurrucucu Paloma" is one my absolute favorite songs from my childhood! (my mother is from Mexico) I'm definitely going to look for that one on the youtubes!
Richard--oh you're right--you commented a while back. I recognize your avatar--spooky! Cher! I will admit to being a big fan of the Sonny and Cher show when I was a kid. Her voice is VERY distinctive, too. She could probably sing just about anything and it would sound good. I like her better than Celine!
By the way, (you have another thing in common) Joan's father was from Mexico (Puebla), and her moother was born in Scotland.
:)
Dave
I really should use that edit feature.
mother not moother
LOL
Don't be mean to Sleestak.
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