Greatest Female Voice In Prog?

I'd like to put in Barbara Gaskin, Ann Rosenthal and Amanda Parsons for a mention [Hatfield & the North]. I'm also pretty fond of Catherine Ribeiro's singing, though I could see how she wouldn't be to everyone's taste. And Ellen Meyer from Tomorrow's Gift!

I prefer to be known as a 21st Century Schizoid Man!

richardh wrote: Maddy Prior actually toured with Mike Oldfield.Maybe she is folk primarily but she did more than just make a session appearance on an Oldfield album. I never realised my innocent comment would cause such a problem. Dare I say that Toyah Wilcox should also be included as she is married to a prog rocker!

No problem rather a plead not to get carried away including people who are better known for another musical genre. Strangely enough (no I lie, differently not in this case) Toyah is also on that Stranglers & Friends album - but thank goodness not singing with her hubby (and I use the word 'singing' loosely here).

Reed Lover wrote: Dick Heath wrote: richardh wrote: Maddy Prior sung with Mike Oldfield's band so she could be brought under the category of Prog. On that basis everybody who came in contact with prog is prog - then let's go daft: punk band Stranglers had Fripp, Hammill and Hillage front them once, when Hugh Cornwall was in jail, ergo The Stranglers are Prog and Punk and ????? No I don't think so. Come on Dick.Maddy Prior sang on a prog album didn't she?

 

I think you miss my point. Maddy Prior is an out and out Anglo Scot folk singer, primarily. I've seen her several times, and there no obvious prog is in her repertoise. Was Sandy Denny a heavy rock singer because she sang on a Led Zep album - no she was an Anglo Scott folk singer too.

Check Stranglers & friend's Live album for contributions from Fripp, Hillage and Hammill, do punk numbers (it is a most enjoyable album in part, because of the mixture of musical styles). Most certainly I wouldn't accuse Fripp and Hillage of being punk - Hammill has had his moments though, perhaps explaining Johnny Rotten's liking for Van Der Graaf Generator.

I think it is odd to place a musician under the heading of 'Prog', because they guested or sessioned on a prog album or two, while the majority of thier fans know he/she for a specific type of music. Keith Tippett is one of Britain's most important free jazz musicians, but played with Krimson. John Surman, arguably the greatest jazz saxophonist to come out of the UK in 30 years, has been heard as a session player for Nice's recordings. And so.

Dick Heath wrote: richardh wrote: Maddy Prior sung with Mike Oldfield's band so she could be brought under the category of Prog. On that basis everybody who came in contact with prog is prog - then let's go daft: punk band Stranglers had Fripp, Hammill and Hillage front them once, when Hugh Cornwall was in jail, ergo The Stranglers are Prog and Punk and ????? No I don't think so.

Come on Dick.Maddy Prior sang on a prog album didnt she?

lucas wrote: Agnes Buen Garnas

Agnes Buen Garnas (with Jan Garbarek)  does a masterful recording with Rosensfole (ECM)

And for the more mature listener:
Annette Peacock, even with a limited vocal range, breathes sex on Bill Bruford's Feels Good To Me, making it my all time favourite jazz rock album. And check out  Sidsel Endresen  singer with nu.fusionist Bugge Wesseltoft, for Scandanavian vocal  sexiness as it is happening right now.

Maddy Prior sung with Mike Oldfield's band so she could be brought under the category of Prog.

Peter Rideout wrote: ^ Peasant! They are active in traditional/Celtic music. Kate Rusby is a solo act -- lovely, emotive voice, beautiful accent. Karen Matheson sings for Scottish Celtic act Capercaillie -- great voice, & a stunner too! Lots of great female vox in that field. I'm at least as big a fan of "trad" as I am of prog (200+ CDs). Woke up to the dulcet strains of fair Kate today -- my wife's a big fan too.

I'd stop the bugger from singing outside your window of a morning, surprised your wife puts up with it!

Maybe you could start a Morris Dancing revival

With a Hey and a Ho and a Hey nonny-nonny!

^ Peasant!

They are active in traditional/Celtic music. Kate Rusby is a solo act -- lovely, emotive voice, beautiful accent.

Karen Matheson sings for Scottish Celtic act Capercaillie -- great voice, & a stunner too!

Lots of great female vox in that field. I'm at least as big a fan of "trad" as I am of prog (200+ CDs). Woke up to the dulcet strains of fair Kate today -- my wife's a big fan too.

Annie Haslam for me, Maani summed up my reasons nicely.

Sonja Kristina a very close second though, very distinctive and atmospheric.  

A couple of non prog ones - Karen Carpenter, now what could she have done with a good prog song? "Goodbye to love" gave some indication, but she had a wonderful voice. She started off singing in a higher key, it was only when it was suggested in the studio that she try deeper tones that the magic of her voice appeared.

Emmylou Harris has a very emotional voice. Her "Wrecking Ball" album produced by Danny Lannois is great, and a million miles from her country roots.