Reference CD for female folk rock

[Rim]

I tried searching the forum but didn't find anything that applied. Any recommendations on a reference CD for folk rock featuring a female voice? This isn't what I usually listen to so I don't know what's out there. I would like one with female voice and acoustic guitar only as well having a full backup band (drums, bass, acoustic gtr). I'm interested in a female voice more like Janis Joplin than Enya. I'm also looking more for a modern/pop sound. Of course, a good quality recording - song material quality not that important. Thanks in advance! - Rim

[Intheether]

Tracy Chapmans's self titled debut is amazing. It has both vox+guitar and full band tracks. Ani Difranco is a good choice for more raw folk, not being a fan I can't recommend a particular cd though.

[Rim]

Forgot about Tracy Chapman. The album's kinda old though - does it still hold up to today's standards of recording quality? I saw Ms. DiFranco live once. Nothing stuck out for me. Anyone recommend an album of hers?

[Wrave]

Guess you're wanting "contemporary"? Can't help ya there but you might want to remember Janice Ian. I think her "Between the Lines" is one of the best references for female folk rock stuff.

[bearded yeti]

Zero 7 - Simple Things see a video here: http://www.dotmusic.com/news/July2001/news21162.asp she's a cutie! ;)

[Rim]

[quote]Originally posted by wrave: [b]Guess you're wanting "contemporary"? Can't help ya there but you might want to remember Janice Ian. I think her "Between the Lines" is one of the best references for female folk rock stuff.[/b][/quote]Right! I love "At Seventeen".

[Rim]

[quote]Originally posted by Ashley Judd: [b]Zero 7 - Simple Things see a video here: http://www.dotmusic.com/news/July2001/news21162.asp she's a cutie! ;) [/b][/quote]She's definitely a cutie. It's a possibility but it's more hip-hop or whatever it's called these days.

[bearded yeti]

Hmmm.. I suppose everything in the mix is what you're looking for with the exception of the downtempo trip-hop style sequenced drums. But at least the vocals are top notch! ;) Love that harmony during the chorus. I'll be watching this thread too, I'm curious as to what else people come up with for this.

[Boggs]

The most beautiful voice I have ever heard belonged to Eva Cassidy (She very sadly succumbed to bone cancer I believe in 1998 at age 34). Songbird is one I highly recommend by her. They can be purchaced through [url=http://www.Amazon.com]www.Amazon.com[/url] . I believe she is the first artist to ever go gold via internet sales alone. Unfortunately, she became known more after she died. Very sad. She is to voice what Phil Keaggy is to guitar, and she was just as humble. It is said that she was so uncomfortable and shy about performing that she couldn't even hardly look her audience in the eye. Absolutely incredible voice and can sing in absoutely any style. Any questions? Boggs

[Jonathan Hughes]

"Brand New You" by Shawn Colvin anything by Jonatha Brooke

[KHAN]

I've always loved the sound of Lisa Loeb and Nine Stories - "Tails" Album. Nice folk/pop mix. Beautiful natural drum sound. Her voice doesn't sound much like Joplin though. :thu:

[Rim]

[quote]Originally posted by Boggs: [b]The most beautiful voice I have ever heard belonged to Eva Cassidy (She very sadly succumbed to bone cancer I believe in 1998 at age 34). Songbird is one I highly recommend by her. They can be purchaced through [url=http://www.Amazon.com]www.Amazon.com[/url] . I believe she is the first artist to ever go gold via internet sales alone. Unfortunately, she became known more after she died. Very sad. She is to voice what Phil Keaggy is to guitar, and she was just as humble. It is said that she was so uncomfortable and shy about performing that she couldn't even hardly look her audience in the eye. Absolutely incredible voice and can sing in absoutely any style. Any questions? Boggs[/b][/quote]Excellent. I was at Amazon.com putting in orders for the CDs and came across her stuff. Interestingly enough, she's local to DC. It's a shame I never heard her live. I'm definitely ordering one of her albums. I was gonna go with Time After Time but I'll change it to Songbird.

[Rim]

Thanks all, I'm set. I've ordered the following from Amazon.com: Tails - Lisa Loeb $11.98 Between the Lines - Janis Ian $9.98 Tracy Chapman - Tracy Chapman $8.98 Songbird - Eva Cassidy $13.49 Steady Pull - Jonatha Brooke $14.99 It was tempting to get more but I gotta watch the $$$. Please feel free to post more for posterity. :)

[where02190]

Patti Griffin and Jo Dee Messina come to mind.

[Boggs]

[quote]Originally posted by riffing: [b] [quote]Originally posted by Boggs: [b]The most beautiful voice I have ever heard belonged to Eva Cassidy (She very sadly succumbed to bone cancer I believe in 1998 at age 34). Songbird is one I highly recommend by her. They can be purchaced through [url=http://www.Amazon.com]www.Amazon.com[/url] . I believe she is the first artist to ever go gold via internet sales alone. Unfortunately, she became known more after she died. Very sad. She is to voice what Phil Keaggy is to guitar, and she was just as humble. It is said that she was so uncomfortable and shy about performing that she couldn't even hardly look her audience in the eye. Absolutely incredible voice and can sing in absoutely any style. Any questions? Boggs[/b][/quote]Excellent. I was at Amazon.com putting in orders for the CDs and came across her stuff. Interestingly enough, she's local to DC. It's a shame I never heard her live. I'm definitely ordering one of her albums. I was gonna go with Time After Time but I'll change it to Songbird.[/b][/quote]I suppose both wouldn't be a bad thing... :D Boggs

[Bunny Knutson]

Indigo Girls. [url=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00004Z3SW/qid=1037396687/sr=1-6/ref=sr_1_6/102-3518778-0596116?v=glance&s=music]Click here.[/url]

[Rim]

[quote]Originally posted by dBunny: [b]Indigo Girls. [url=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00004Z3SW/qid=1037396687/sr=1-6/ref=sr_1_6/102-3518778-0596116?v=glance&s=music]Click here.[/url] [/b][/quote]Cr@p! I can't believe I forgot about the Indigo Girls. And that just reminded me of Melissa Etheridge! Man, I'm an idiot. :freak: Maybe I can find them in the bargain bin at Walmart or Best Buy. Thanks, dbunny. I guess :mad: :D

[Bunny Knutson]

Riffing, I'd bet you a kazillion dollars that you can find a copy of that album in the used bin for seven or eight bucks. Too bad I didn't see this thread earlier! :freak: ;)

[Benjy King]

Patty Griffin 'Living With Ghosts' BK

[Salyphus]

Suzanne Vega - Nine Objects of Desire http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000002G60/ Folk influenced, but with a hip contemporary edge, the production is excellent, the songs are great, and her voice is fantastic. You can't go wrong with this one :thu:

[wildplum]

Kate Wolf- give yourself to love or gold in california

[Mark Zeger]

Two words: Joni "Blue" I love Joni Mitchell most from "Court & Spark" until now, but "Blue" is a very important, highly influential album in the folk-rock genre. Not really folk-rock, but I'm a fan of Joan Armatrading, whose music has a folk vibe fused with other styles. "The Weakness In Me" and "Loved By You" are incredibly beautiful ballads. Julia Fordham's "Porcelain" is a favorite album. Again not really a folk-rock artist, Julia has a stunning voice and the musicians on the album include Pino Pallidino, Dominic Miller, and Manu Katche.

[Jotown]

The Shawn Colvin CD that has Sonny Came Home on it is great for vocals. Joni Mitchells Blue is one of my favorite all time albums, but it is not that great as a reference recording. Turbulent Indigo is sonically a good reference for space and clarity.

[Jotown]

Also the last couple of Sarah Mclaughlin CD's are very well done.

[Bunny Knutson]

[quote]Originally posted by mzeger: [b] Julia Fordham... has a stunning voice and the musicians on the album include Pino Pallidino, Dominic Miller, and Manu Katche.[/b][/quote]Wow. Manu Katche is a GREAT drummer/percussionist!!! And isn't Pino Pallidino that fretless bass player who played with Jimmy Page and Paul Rogers in The Firm? If so, he's a great player, too. Maybe I'll check out that Julia Fordham album! BTW, who produced it?

[Hanshananigan]

Here's one in your (almost) own backyard- Not really my cup of tea, but she's doing quite well. and is tops on several mp3.com charts: [url=http://www.susangreenbaum.com/]Susan Greenbaum webpage[/url]

[Hanshananigan]

[quote]Originally posted by Hanshananigan: [b]Here's one in your (almost) own backyard- Not really my cup of tea, but she's doing quite well. and is tops on several mp3.com charts: [url=http://www.susangreenbaum.com/]Susan Greenbaum webpage[/url] [/b][/quote]Oh yeah, and "Everything but You" got in rotation on fm103 down here in Richmond.

[Wrave]

Boggs, just wanted to say thanks for pointing out Eva Cassidy. What a tragedy she died so young. I ordered a couple of her CDs last week after reading your post and I am sitting here listening to "Songbird" right now. She could sing [b]anything[/b]. (Amazingly, Amazon got them to me in only four days!) I don't know a lot about her story but what I do know is that this is a good example of the recording industry's inability to recognize real artistry. I understand they were reluctant to sign her because of her insistance on doing the songs she wanted in her eclectic style. Belated kudos to Eva and anyone else who stands up to the big money to keep their integrity and their art. Here's a prediction, Eva's recordings will be around a lot longer than any popular act you can name today...I don't give a shit how heavily they are promoted or how many CDs they've sold or how many Grammies they have received. The small and independent studios are the breeding grounds for the new music. Someone in another message chain is asking about the future direction of R&R. Here's my take on it, if you think you know, you don't have a clue. If you are still ripping off sounds and rhythms from whatever is popular, you certainly won't be the the one fostering the new direction. Be original, be great!

[Rog]

I'll second Joni's [i]Blue[/i] and recommend Suzanne Vega's debut which is pretty sparse and her 99.9 album which has a lot of interesting things going on.