Best Albums By Women

[poorpete]

Oh yeah... I did this to my entire music collection about 5 years ago. I may still have the excel document somewhere.

Sassy Swings Again
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list ... x06QWuuR44
The Bulgarian State Radio & Television Choir – Le Mystère Des Voix Bulgares
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list ... NkVMMoqhZk

[poorpete]

I'm starting to feel bad that I'm nixing many vocal jazz albums. But here we are. Sarah Vaughan does well. The songs are not bad. The orchestration can be hit or miss. I've realized, in most cases, I prefer jazz small. So, unless they are talking about how great a city is, or how much they are in love, or how they are going out on-the-town, I don't get using big band for everything.

Like "Everyday I've got the blues" EXCITING BLAAAAARRRE OF TRUMPETS. Dude, she's bearing her soul but she's not stripping her clothes, give this arrangement to a four-piece.

Emmylou Harris - Wrecking Ball
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list ... 6GgE67ZQf4
Bobby Gentry - Ode to Billy Joe
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list ... 5wyNW7a3rU

[Phoebe]

I am not keen on the orchestration on the album I have of Sarah Vaughan's either. Can't remember what that one is called. Do remember oppressive instrumental sounds intruding upon her singing.

[poorpete]

There's no album quite like Bobby Gentry's. I have always loved "Ode to Billy Joe" and that hasn't changed. It's a GOAT song. It was impressive/weird (ballsy?) to have half the songs played with a similar guitar riff as her famous single. The fact that these songs are sung very well and are lyrically impressive, even though it sounds like she ran out of music ideas, is itself impressive. It's like Bo Diddley beat or Bossa Nova. The Gentry Delta Blues style. Surprise it didn't take off (though I do wonder of Nillson and Bill Withers took inspiration, seems "Everybody's Talkin" owes a huge debt to her style). Anywho, I wish she continued as a songwriter after her singing career faltered. I hope, even though she quit music 45 years ago, she's still writing. She was great. And yes, as you could guess from my near-rave here, that Wrecking Ball is wonderful.

Next:
Indigo Girls - Indigo Girls
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list ... LjZxmDwkYM
Stevie Nicks - Bella Donna
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list ... KEm5UUPd2w

[poorpete]

Oh oh, these two both have 10 tracks, that means. A track by track off!

Bella Donna - Pretty, soulful, great opening, better with each listen.
Closer to Fine - Didn't like this song for so long, now really really like it. Guitars, mando, harmony, emotion, what didn't I like?
IG +1

Kind of Woman - A step down between two ace songs
Secure Yourself -Also a step down
No change

Stop Dragging My Heart Around - it's a hit, still pretty good, Petty/Nicks make good dueters
Kid Fears - my main man Mike Stype in singing counterpoint, great chorus, but not as good as SDMHA
Tied

Think About It - Good fine ok
Prince of Darkness - I kinda like the one IG's growl. The sound of James Hetfield backed by REM.
IG + 1

After the Glitter Fades/ Blood and Fire - IG slightly better, less growl, more soul
IG +2

Tried to be True - REM backing IG, Mike Mills even singing backing, very good.
Edge of Seventeen - Oh, just Stevie's best song. Deserves two points.
Tied

How Still My Life - good starting to all sound similar
Love's Recovery - same
Tied

Leather and Lace - Ohhh yeah! Another fun duet. With his work with Linda Rondstadt, I think I prefer Don Henley as a harmonizer
Land of Canaan - oh another popular one, though I don't prefer it to Closer to Fine. I hear they are lonely tonight
Stevie +1

Outside the Rain - I get that she's literally singing behind the Heartbreakers (can hear that Michael Campbell guitar from a mile away) but it sounds like she's literally singing a new version of There Goes My Girl. Tough, because on it's own it's pretty good, but just way to similar to existing songs. 3
Center Stage - They know how to make two guitars, one soloing with Mary Had a Little Lamb, sound epic.
Tied.

The Highwayman - it ok. Feel Stevie's album ran out of steam with the last two.
History of Us - Oooh. Sweet, kinda jazzy, finally they mix it up, and it sounds great. Ends album on a beautiful note.
IG +1

Flow
Both have fine tracklistings for their genres.

Girl Power
Stevie loses a band but keeps the quality high when out on her own. IG of course are synonymous with LGBT rights, sooo, a wash.

Influence
I think IG was a tad bit more influential.
IG + 2

Bias
My dislike of Stevie Nick's voice as a youth may only be matched by my hatred of the Lillith Fair sound in my college years. I'm happy that I like both now. A wash.


So long, Stevie, sorry. Usually I pick a new-to-me song to feature, but I think I always unappreciated this song, and in case you do too, listen again.

Next:
Tori Amos - Little Earthquakes
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list ... MmwTd8wF0s
Alabama Shakes - Sound & Color
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list ... kkqjKZG9xs

(I think Alabama Shakes is woefully underseeded at 102, but Tori keeps improving on each listen so we'll see)

[poorpete]

I obviously need to listen to more Tori. Love how beautiful and caustic this is. I have nothing bad to say here, I'm going to keep listening, she's just unlucky to meet Brittany Howard in the first round.

Odetta - It's A Mighty World
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list ... 4zhJQkr9FA
Alison Krauss and Union Station - New Favorite
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list ... P-XnWLprL4

(The winner of this goes up against Alabama Shakes. The loser of this one goes up against The Breeders in the losers round. If it's lucky to beat The Breeders it then goes up against Tori. So, tough luck to be both of these albums... unless they really grow on me in the next few listens)

[Phoebe]

That's a tough call, much like Alabama Shakes vs. what I'd guess is still Tori's best album. Her melodies really stick with you forever. But I think you made the right call.

[poorpete]

A relatively close one as these are good folk albums. Giving Odetta the edge, for influence, for her wonderful voice, and the fact that some of The Union Station's songs are sung without Alison. Fact that I had not heard of Odetta until recently seems absurd. She should be more of a thing.

Nico - Chelsea Girl
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5JX4-z ... WwcyvXf6lk
Donna Summer - Bad Girls
https://open.spotify.com/album/3pO9uRVL8kmoVfkcN73w3h

[Phoebe]

DONNA!!!!!!!!!!!!

[poorpete]

Yup!!!


This album did grow on me, as at first I thought it was a disappointing record filled that only is on here for its relationship to a much better album (Velvet Underground & Nico). But truly there are some very good songs on here, Nico does a good job with phrasing, and there is some kind of magic to the Velvet Underground sound, that is here even if they aren't fully credited. There are also some duds.

MIA - Kala
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kdj8-nS ... 8WH1yDPRAI
Alice Coltrane – Journey in Satchidananda
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list ... U4A6Hmy6QI

[poorpete]

Holy Moley. I almost moved this album ahead of Kala, almost, but Kala is equally wonderful and... maybe this album will do great in the loser round... maybe this album is amazing now but on listen eight it loses its shine. Or I'm making a huge mistake, because I'm pretty sure this is my favorite jazz album on this list. And the other features maybe my least favorite Timbaland song. Both are challenging and accessible. Both albums take Indian music and mix it with the modern music of the time. I am for sure in love with quality modal jazz, even though I have a tough time understanding what modal jazz is, but it can't be a coincidence my favorite stuff is in that subgenre. Damn.

Joni Mitchell - Blue
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list ... Vyk6LDtwcc
Marianne Faithfull - Broken English
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list ... WKiUdBmfaA
(Trying to give Faithfull a chance, but Blue is NPRs and my favorite going in)

[Phoebe]

Yeah, that's a blowout. I don't know the Alice Coltrane and look forward to more!

[poorpete]

Yup, blowout. Though Marianne created a fine album. This Shel Silverstein number I like. I also like the production work, and minus the last two songs, is just the right caustic. The last two, oh boy, I admire, but I don't like. But hey, anything I've ever done would also lose to Blue.

Next is the start of a few battle royales:
Fleetwood Mac - Rumours
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list ... jTAhYu3V2I
Aretha Franklin - Young, Gifted, and Black
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list ... vWKoGV3zI0

[Phoebe]

I feel like I shouldn't say anything! I don't want to bother you. This one goes pretty deep.

[poorpete]

Go for it. Please tell! It's a pretty even match.
Aretha: Side one is magnificent. Side two is mearly very good
Fleetwood: solid, minus the annoying Don't Stop and Daddy, but should it be penalized for five songs written and led by Lindsey Buckingham? Your first name don't count, bro.

[poorpete]

You know what. I still want to hear your opinion, but I want to keep it going, and after a collective 15 listens to these albums, I'm going Aretha. Like, what would I rather listen to, a singer that literally came from God singing music for my soul, or a collection of great pop rock songs about how each band member can't-stand-and-yet-wants-to-bone each other? Today, I don't want to listen to the soap opera. I want to listen Aretha.

Next:
Janet Jackson - Control
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list ... K3MdgEvwNo
Mercedes Sosa - En Argentina
https://music.youtube.com/browse/VLPLB048DC67281B0C2D

[poorpete]

Oh no. I've decided another upset. And like before (and probably going ahead, many more) this was a close one. Janet is a great statement, of individuality, of feminism, of control (oh I get it now!), as well as an R&B/Pop/Dance sensation. She's good, and as I've said, or should've said before, she is amazingly underrated for someone who was extremely popular. Over 10 years she recorded 4 classic, acclaimed albums (Ctrl, Rhythm Nation 1814, janet, and the velvet rope), and then like, had her boob seen on tv for a half second, and that was it. I also fear I'm really cutting down on 80s and 90s pop from this list, so I regret kicking Miss Jackson's influential and ever-listenable record to the losers round. But at least she'd have an easy time defeating <<looks at notes>> Cris Williamson?? Damn. One of those is going to have zero wins and two losses, and that's unfair. Ahhhhhh well.

Janis Joplin - Pearl
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list ... r2rRyJSOuw
Joni Mitchell - Hejira
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list ... dgapjp6Gf0

[poorpete]

It's not easy to defeat arguably one of the two titans of 20th century female-led music (Aretha being the other). And of course it was close, and After 3 listens, I would have picked Joni. This is a meditative travelouge, and I really like it. Both keep impressing, listen after listen. They both have an ace backing band, both captures their moods, but I think Janis wins with more moods, but still feels like a complete work. I'll keep listening to Joni nonetheless, underrated at #121.

Amy Winehouse - Back to Black
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list ... 2RFb6V_jbw
Ofra Haza – 50 Gates Of Wisdom (Yemenite Songs)
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list ... DeDMnSIX4I

[poorpete]

Both albums here looked back to push things forward. In this case it used old Jewish folk songs and made them sound like hits by Madonna. This is collection of good to great pop songs with bangy drums and programming and fun middle-eastern sounds and fun bass lines. And no doubt I have some complaints about Winehouse (as we all must), but her album is up-there with its influences and what it influenced.

Speaking of influences...

Aretha Franklin – I Never Loved a Man The Way I Love You
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list ... 9EzqAcJGX4
Shelby Lynne – I Am Shelby Lynne
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list ... vKh7rYoL_s

[Phoebe]

I would keep rolling with Aretha. I know it's hard to overcome Joni Mitchell but agree that album was better for Janis.