Greatest Female Voice In Prog?

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?

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.

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).

Peter Rideout wrote: There are precious few  in this male-dominated genre! Kate Bush or Annie Haslam gets the nod.... My fave overall (non-prog) female vox? Annie Lennox Maddy Prior Kate Rusby Karen Matheson

Peter

Somehow I figured at least one form: Doris Day Connie Francis and Rosemary Clunnie would be on your list.

I voted for Annie Haslam but my favourite female prog singer is SARAH TRONDALL from White Willow...

Other great voices:

KATE BUSH, MAGGIE REILLY, MADDY PRIOR, CLARE TORRY, ARLETTE JECQUIER (chilean singer from FULANO, queen of scat), ANNIE LENNOX (pop music, I know, but WHAT A VOICE!)...

And the superb, gloomy, dark and terrific voice of Ms. DIAMANDA GALAS... She is the best!!