Interactive Poll: Emotional songs (female singer)

Lorenzo:  Tiziana Ghiglioni “Se stasera sono qui”  An intimate song, piano and vocal alone start the piece.  There is a feeling of wistfulness.  I kind of get the feeling that the woman may be ruefully laughing at herself.  She should have known the guy was going to stand her up, maybe?  Saxophone comes in for a solo, definitely feeling of a darkened bar, late at night, to me.  Song ends, still on a wistful note, with the saxophone commiserating with the singer.  Ginevra di Marco “Ederlezi”  Live piece, here.  Percussion and effected guitar and bass open the song.  Again, I have no idea what she’s singing about but, wow!  There is an electric folk-ish feel here, hypnotic vocals parrying with the band.  A more rock feel comes along, it reminds me much of Tri Yann, who I like very much.  Next, another by Genivra, “Vedrai Vedrai”  Keyboards start this, will it be much like the last, or something completely different?  It is quite a bit different, but of course, the same person singing.  This is a more polished sort of piece, to my ear. Also a wistful one, perhaps missed chances that are regretted?   Tori Amos “Northern Lad”  Tori I know very well, but I do love this song.  I have a signed and framed poster from her of this album cover (carried her on our buses and she knew I was a big fan).  She’s actually under a huge piece of glass, in case anyone wonders how they got that effect.  I think this time around, I like The “Ederlezi,” piece the most, although they all are beautiful, I like the spiritedness of that one. 

The Anders:  Katinka “Idioter”  This has a dark feel that I quite like, an evocative voice and minimal accompaniment behind her.  It is very moving, I agree.  There is a feeling of menace, as indeed is also depicted in the video with the young girl.  The singer is very expert at creating a sound of anguish and desperation.    Thumbs up for this one. 

I Prophesy Disaster:  Helium Horse Fly “Adrift”  Another ominous, dark feeling one.  Electric guitar with slightly dissonant notes starts and a quavery vocal.  Jarring guitar for a moment, then back to the solo guitar.   The vocal is usually kind of half-spoken.  There is a sense of being adrift, in the music, so it suits the title.  It occasionally lapses into heavy territory, but doesn’t remain there.  I find it most interesting at the 6+ minute mark, where it verges into psychedelia for a moment.  It goes off into complete dissonance for a bit.  It end with just the vocalist and some chunky chords with a feeling of non-resolve. 

MortSahlFan:  Welcome to these polls.  😊  Curved Air “Lovechild”  Now here’s something I haven’t heard in a long time.  Pretty, pretty violin starts with Sonja Kristina’s prog/folk-rock vocals.  Full band kicks in and we enjoy some changes in tempo and dynamics.  Sucker for violin mixed with electric guitars that I am, great addition, here, but I like the band more than the vocals (and know the tune, so I don’t vote “for,” those, even if they’re a personal favourite).  Illusion “Madonna Blue”  Nice duet with electric band…another sort of prog/folk feel to my ear.  There is a nice classical sort of break at 2:30-ish, which is reminiscent of Strawbs’  “Down By The Sea.”  They do another piano solo type break at slightly after 4 mins.  Excellent interplay of guitar and keys lead to the fadeout.  This is my fave of the two, and previously unheard.

Logan:    Catherine Ribeiro “Jusqu’à Ce Que La Force De T’aimer Me Manque (with Alpes)”  This has a feeling of exaltation to me, but perhaps also some wish that things could be different.  Very folk-ish, the woman sings freely and with abandon.  Edda Dell'Orso “Cosa avete fatto a Solange?” (Ennio Morrione)  Very pretty piano and strings that accent, with orchestra swell, then smooth voiced singer trilling.  Pretty little plinkies here and there.  This one has no lyrics, the voice is used as an instrument, and very lovely and haunting, it is.  (Jane) Jarboe “Blackmail” (with Swans)  More ominous sounds, a feeling of bleakness.  Very subdued guitar with a sort of lazy,sultry vocalist.  Nico “Ari’s Song”  Here is one I know already.  This was a very interesting album for the time, not really my thing, but I can hear the appeal and it was quite innovative.  There’s a funereal sense to this song, so I do appreciate the emotion in it. 

Raff:  Kate Bush “Pull Out The Pin”  Excellent choice, however familiarity won’t let me vote for her.  I agree with Mike, later, who says someone like this, if one voted for what one knew, would give her an  unfair advantage to lesser-knowns.  Which is not to say that one can’t, I just have made that a general personal rule, since I’m not sure if I like a piece better because I’m already familiar with it and have a good opinion already.  Same with Joni Mitchell’s excellent song, “Edith and the Kingpin”  Now here’s a new one to me, Milva “Alexanderplatz”  Very deep voiced woman, just gorgeous voice.  Minimal accompaniment, very moving piece.  I really love hearing her confessional tone here, very dramatic delivery on the choruses.

Kees:  Mecano “Une femme avec une femme”  Very pretty voiced woman with piano.  (Synth) strings are lush and support the piece perfectly.  And agree with the sentiment, consenting adults, no one else’s business anyway.  Henryk Gorecki “Symphony n° 3: Symphony of Sorrowful Songs, 2nd movement, with Zofia Kilanowicz (Soprano)”  So very beautiful.  What a sad back story to the prayer, so moving.  Lots of restraint in the piece and the vocalist’s delivery, she has amazing vocal contro (not surprising, given the role and setting, but still).  Definitely chills territory about 5:30.  Both are excellent, but this is sublime and I’ve never heard it before (even with a lot of classical listening background). 

Hiram: Lau Nau “Juokse sinä humma”  Percussive beginning with bass and pizzicato strings.  Light and swift vocals.  I enjoy this very much, like the folkiness of it….it picks up quite a bit about halfway in with woongly violin?, I think, or another type of folk instrument, perhaps.  I know of some other folk songs where the gender isn’t changed to suit the singer, so don’t mind that at all.  Great choice.   PJ Harvey “To Bring You My Love”  Someone who I know I should know more of, yet don’t.  Piece starts with a repeating electric guitar line, or perhaps on bass. Deep voice with a fair amount of distorted effect going on.  Reminds me a bit of Joan Osborn’s grittiness on “Pensacola,” which I almost brought here, but thought she might be too known.  There is quite a bit of intensity here, organ joins in after a while, to support the underlying guitar and percussion.  Another great choice.  Sonic Youth “No Queen Blues”  More wongliness, but this time in a punkish style with muddy production, doubtless intentional.  Not hearing a female vocalist, though, and I’m pretty sure I’m not unmistaken this time. 

Easy Money:  Billie Holiday “Strange Fruit”  Classic song, too familiar to vote on it, but it certainly fits the bill.  Gives me chills every time I hear it. 

Chopper:  Susanne Sundfør “Undercover Edit”  Very sultry voice, has a bit of that babyish sound and sometimes going into that diva-ish thing with multiple notes where one would do,  that I’m not particularly fond of, but she keeps it all at bay enough to keep my interest.  Lovely vocal range.  Well produced, as well. 

Gentle and Giant:  Sinéad O'Connor “Nothing Compares 2 You”  One of my favourite singers, so too familiar to vote for it, but certainly a perfect addition to the polls if someone missed it along the way.  Absolutely impassioned and perfect delivery.

Progishness:  Annie Haslam “Going Home”  Here you have one of my favourite vocalists from my favourite album of hers, the Roy Wood produced “Annie In Wonderland.”  Can’t vote for it, but it is stellar, if others haven’t heard it.  Curved Air “It Happened Today”  Early progressive/folk/rock sort of act, I know of them, but haven’t really heard all that much of them.  This one is more straight-ahead rock than the other one brought here, I prefer the other one, although I love the violin break part.  Big Brother and the Holding Company “Piece of My Heart”  To me, this absolutely defines an impassioned woman vocal piece.  Janis Joplin pulled no punches and was completely uninhibited, this is my favourite album, as I like the rawness of BB&HC, it suits her so well.  Doris Day “Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps”  Another favourite, as far as the person, but haven’t heard the song.  What a fun song, she had such a great voice, and was also just so charming.  An excellent choice. 

JD:  Edith Piaf “non, je ne regrette rien”  This is done is signature Piaf style, very much to it’s time and place.  I do know the piece, but it’s a great choice.

moshkito:  Fairport Convention “One More Chance”  Certainly the incomparable Sandy Denny deserves a place here, a perfect choice, and one that I know, I did consider her, as well.  Very glad you brought this gem here.