I'm actually asking this question in regards to a question that was asked to me. My cousin is a local singing talent, you know the kind that fronts the bar bands in town and I asked her the other day who she thought were some strong female power vocalists. She answered: "Lady GaGa". I then laughed at her and said, "No I'm talking about Celine Dion, Mariah, Whitney kinds of singers." I'm talking about power singers not singers like Britney Spears or Madonna (no offense to them or anyone who likes them) I mean they can sing on key/pitch but they are hardly power singers. I'm wondering what you guys think are some great power vocalists that can really belt it out. Tell me whatcha think!

------> wondering how this thread will turn out, Gardenia :run: :wavey::dmc:

Bonnie Bramlett
Ashley Cleveland

Blue eyed soul at it's best.

Shirley Bassey

Janis Joplin, Grace Slick, Joan Jet.

Believe it or not, Kelly Clarkson.

...and, of course, Aretha.

Oh josh I posted too quickly!

Amy Lee
Beyonce
Celine Dion
Christina Aguilera
Kelly Clarkson
Jojo
Leona Lewis
Mariah Carey
Olivia Olson
Sarah Mclachlan
Utada Hikaru


I know some of these are popstars, and their songs are rather superfluous but I can provide a song of theirs that would demonstrate their singing capabilities, if desired.

Edit: Throw Mary J. Blige in there too.

I only know a couple of her songs but Adele has a pretty impressive voice maybe not competing with some of those though :shrug:

Lady Gaga is a fair singer but not a "diva".

Most of the main ones have been mentioned. Beyonce, of course. Jennifer Hudson. Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas has a belter of a voice - it's just the music that's (mostly) rubbish.

I totally agree on both. I actually met Ashley Cleveland's husband at a bar in Nashville, TN one night. His name is Kenny Greenburg, an incredible session guitarist



I believe it completely, Kelly can really blast it out, and Aretha goes without saying : )

Edit: **** don't you all like my pretty avatar?! ****

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXoRljXZwK0

She was a big influence on Janis Joplin....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-rNX1DKuMI recorded before Joplin's version.



[edit] Re: @Gardenia....lucky you....I love their music ! Kenny's no slouch on guitar.

Wow Aquan you must be an old soul like me....I love soul and blues, well I live almost all music genres, but when its time to get in the mood, Etta James really does the trick.

Let's just say I was born at a very early age. :thumbsup:

Aquan: dude or dudette, I can't thank you enough for posting the Big Mama Thornton song!

Somewhat topically, here's http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FnVpBn3ZRc

Honestly, I haven't been familiar with Winehouse's work, but nonetheless saddened by the news...she does sound good here...I have Charlette Church's first album, and was impressed with her early on, but not familiar with her recent work...she grew up really quick. Thanks for posting this princess_stomper (have an e-Hug), I suppose I should check out more of Amy's material.

I'll add Maria McKee of Lone Justice. I was glad to see a mention of Bonnie Bramlett as well.

All the kids on nickelodeon

Theres a joke somewhere hidden in this post:D

Tarja Turunen, the former singer of Nightwish

Wow! Why have I never heard of her?....checked out her performance on Letterman and others...she has a new fan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XV7mxfIIr0

Amy Lee.

I loves her.

what is a "power vocalist"? :confused: As opposed to a regular vocalist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SheKvJKtpdU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGa0xPzKLMo

A lot of her music tended to be softer, but she was perfectly capable of doing stronger vocals.

Tina Turner was quite good at it too, even if I normally wouldn't listen to her kind of music.


Much better than mainstream music nowadays, when women singers just warble in a screechy voice, and men mumble in a falsetto.

I always loved http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3d_BqnE9dVk&feature=related, singer of Concrete Blonde. That's the voice I wished I had.

I strongly recoomend http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZA_7FtttRY to anyone looking for a girl who can belt some lyrics. The whole band just has this huge vocal presence that I fell in love with. Best band in the world.