Joanna Newsom
One of my favorite singers of all time. It used to be that her voice was described as "ragged", "shrill", or even "child-like", although those words are perhaps too harsh. Her voice was definitely distinctive and had a unique character to it, but it wasn't bad sounding. However, her vocal style has dramatically changed since 2009 when she had some health problems. She couldn't talk, sing, or even cry for two months. Then, in 2010 she released "Have One On Me" and her voice had completely changed. Although her voice won't ever sound the same, she is still one of my favorite singer/songwriters (actually, singer/composer would be more accurate).
Cosmia - Ys
'81 - Have One On Me
Josephine Foster
Josephine Foster is a relatively new discovery for me, but she is quickly becoming one of my favorite singers. She was classically trained from a young age to be an opera singer, but eventually decided to write and perform her own songs instead. Her music often includes instruments like guitar, harp, ukulele, and often some winds... and of course voice. Being that she was trained as an opera singer, her voice is absolutely beautiful, but can be very haunting at times. I couldn't find any videos on YouTube, but Foster also put out an album of "Lieder" or "art songs" by Schumann, Schubert, and Brahms which is also amazing!
Hazel Eyes I Will Lead You - Hazel Eyes I Will Lead You
Karen Dalton
Karen Dalton was involved in the Greenwich Village scene in the '60s. Bob Dylan said of her, "My favorite singer in the place was Karen Dalton. Karen had a voice like Billie Holiday and played guitar like Jimmy Reed... I sang with her a couple of times." She played banjo and guitar and had a bluesy, gritty sound.
Katie Cruel - In My Own Time
Meg Baird
Meg Baird is the lead singer for Espers as well as having a solo career. She also provides background vocals on other people's albums a lot, including on Bonnie "Prince" Billy's "Ask Forgiveness". Her uncle was a famous folk singer I.G. Greer, so she was exposed to folk music from a very early age. Baird took piano lessons from a young age and taught herself to play guitar.
There Was A Boy - Loving Takes This Course
Byss & Abyss - Espers
Mariee Sioux
Mariee Sioux (pronouced Mary Sue) is a folk singer from California. Her dad is of Hungarian and Polish descent and her mom is Spanish, Mexican, and Paiute (Native American). Sioux's songs tend to have a very Native American vibe. Many of her songs include the traditional Native American flute. Even the themes of her music tend to focus on nature and Native American culture. Her beautiful voice and unique style really set her apart from other folk singers.
Wild Eyes - Faces in the Rocks
Orion Rigel Dommisse
Creepy. That's the best way I can think of to describe Orion Rigel Dommisse... that, and "coolest name ever". She tends to use piano, synthesizer, harmonium, and cello. Her songs sound like a musical version of an old fairy tale. And I don't mean the Disney-fied versions where everyone lives happily ever after. No, I'm talking about the kind where the evil step-sisters cut off parts of their feet so they can fit into the glass slipper, and then birds pluck out their eyes. Seriously, that's how the story goes. Look it up.
Drink Yourself (To Death) - What I Want From You Is Sweet
Well, that's all I'm going to write today. I could probably add a few more... Kath Bloom, Laura Veirs, Scout Niblett, Vashti Bunyan... but I'm tired and this post is long enough. Maybe I'll add a Pt. 2 later.
