I finally got around to creating a profile on blip.fm. Interacting with fellow hardcore music junkies has been a joy, especially the responses I get when I add a few “betcha don’t know this artist” selections to my playlist. Those interactions gave me the idea of creating this list of some of my favorite underrated female artists. There’ll be other lists in the future but I’m starting with the ladies.
Underrated musicians are a double-edged sword. On the one hand, you want the world to know about them so they’ll have record sales decent enough to keep them from being dropped by their label, thereby continuing to provide you with music. On the other hand, you don’t want everyone to know, fearing the increased popularity will ruin that special magic. I mean, since they make music for me AND ME ONLY, why should I share them with the world? Right? (Of course I’m kidding.) When it comes to music, I actually fall in the middle. I get a shopper’s high when I discuss/share/introduce music to people, though I’m keenly aware of the downside: increasing popularity leading to sales pressure from the label, a more commercial sound, less intimate live performances, finally ending like so many promising relationships…DIVORCE. But, right now, I’m still in love with these ladies. I adore them and like a proud parent with baby pictures, I want you to love them as much as I do.
The title is a slight misnomer. There are 30 women on the list but, to keep things more manageable, it’s going to be a two-part article. So, in no particular order, here are some underrated ladies who rule my musical world.
Sia
Pop, R&B/Neo-soul, Electronica – Australia
She’s easily one of my favorite voices of the last several years. As I previously described her, “Sia’s voice … has an unsettling quality to it, a quality that infuses a myriad of emotions into her performance on top of the emotions expressed in her expertly-written lyrics. Her ability to go from ethereal to gritty soul is seductive and there’s no point in fighting it.” When you read the story of how she lost the boyfriend she moved to London to be with, you’ll understand why she has such emotional range.
Sia – You’ve Changed
Sia – I Go To Sleep
Sia – The Girl You Lost To Cocaine
Sia – You Have Been Loved
Asa
Alternative Folk – Nigeria
If you’re not in the mood to hear another acoustic guitar-toting, sandal-wearing, free-spirited, political, bohemian singer/songwriter, then…too bad. I’ll just hold you down while I play Asa’s phenomenal debut CD in your ear. In the end, I won’t need to exert much physical effort. Her delicate voice will ease your resistance before the end of the first track. Seriously, I don’t want to do a disservice to this CD by overhyping it. But I will say, from beginning to end, this is as good as good gets. And if her track “Subway” doesn’t touch a tender spot in your heart, turn left at the corner and follow the yellow-brick road. There’s a wizard waiting to give you what you’re missing.
Asa – Jailer
Asa – Fire on the Mountain
Asa – Subway
Asa – No One Knows
Samina
Jazz/Blues – Canada
I lived in Montreal for a few years. On my first day there, I turned to the local MTV-equivalent to check out Montreal’s popular music. As I was brushing my teeth, I heard a singer who commanded my attention. At first I thought it was Sade, singing in french. I later learned her name. Samina’s been flying so far under the radar, even Montrealers don’t know who she is. Whether she’s singing in french or english, her sultry, smooth, breathy alto is one you will fall in love with immediately.
Samina – Embraceable You
Samina – Je Pensais Pas
Samina – Black and White
Samina – Et Si Tu N’Existait Pas
Meiko
Indie Pop, Folk – United States
Television has become more and more prominent in my discovery of new music. It usually happens the same way; the “background” music causes me to completely ignore what’s happening in the scene and focus my attention on the song. Meiko’s “Hawaii” had that effect on me and her self-titled debut is filled with songs that will maintain your attention.
Meiko – Hawaii
Meiko – Boys with Girlfriends
Meiko – Hiding
Meiko – Said and Done
Gaelle
Electronica – United States
Okay, I’m going to ignore you for just a minute because I want to direct my total attention to Gaelle. This is where I get down on my knees and BEG her to release another CD. She’s been promising new music on her MySpace page for quite some time. Though new music won’t stop me from returning to this fantastic debut, it would be nice to have something additional to add to the mix. Get this one today. Then go to her MySpace page and let her know just how much her music is loved. By the way, if you’ve ever desired to seek revenge on a past lover, pay attention to the lyrics of “Parkway”….dark!
Gaelle – Transient
Gaelle – Parkway
Gaelle – Love You More
Gaelle – Give It Back
Angela McCluskey
Pop, Jazz/Blues, Indie – United Kingdom
You know who she is. You just didn’t know it. She’s the vocalist on Télépopmusik’s international hit “Breathe”. But don’t make the mistake of thinking that’s all she’s capable of delivering. She was also the lead singer of the Wild Colonials, an alternative rock/folk band.
Angela McCluskey can sing any genre, each time leaving you feeling she was born to sing that particular style of music. Her voice is beauty in its simplest, purest form. It’s perfectly suited for any song meant to touch even the coldest heart. Her rendition of “Don’t Explain” is mesmerizing. Billie Holiday would give it a stamp of approval.
Angela McCluskey – Don’t Explain
Angela McCluskey – It’s Been Done
Angela McCluskey – Love Is Stronger Than Death
Angela McCluskey – Know It All
Adrienne Young
Country, Folk – United States
Thanks to my grandmother, my childhood experience included country music. Though I tend to gravitate towards the “classics”, periodically a special voice or a catchy tune gets my attention. It was a double punch, the first time I heard “My Love Will Keep”. If you’re a old-fashioned country music fan, this is one for you. Young gives you a healthy mixture of genres built on her country and folk music foundation.
Adrienne Young – My Love Will Keep
Adrienne Young – Plow to the End of the Row
Adrienne Young – Givin’ Up the Fight
Adrienne Young – I Cannot Justify
Caroline
Electronica – Japan
Caroline Lufkin (professionally known simply as Caroline) stands out with her ambient/trip-hop songs. Her ethereal, coquettish, baby-doll vocals glide on top of the chill musical sounds of her music. In her native Japan, she’s known as the “queen of the snow jams.” It won’t take you long to understand why.
Caroline – Bicycle
Caroline – Drove Me to the Wall
Caroline – Everylittlething
Caroline – Where’s My Love
Alice Russell
Pop, R&B/Neo-Soul – United Kingdom
Lush, bluesy, funky, sassy, smooth, jazzy, powerful, provocative, in the pocket, confident, vulnerable, soulful, raw…and thems just the appetizers of the succulent delicacies Alice Russell brings to her musical table. Her genre-hopping style will provide you with a well-balanced variety to feast on; leaving you full and satisfied. She’s quoted as saying Chaka Khan is one of her major influences. She does Chaka proud. Her version of Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy” will make you experience that great song in a totally new way.
Alice Russell – What We Want!
Alice Russell – Humankind
Alice Russell – Crazy
Alice Russell – Munkaroo
Alberta Hunter
Jazz/Blues – United States
About fifteen years ago, I saw a documentary called Alberta Hunter: My Castle’s Rockin’. If you’re not familiar with it, add it to your Netflix list right now or better yet, buy a copy. It chronicles the story of one of the most endearing, spirited, sassy, slightly naughty and underrated blues singers ever. WARNING: She’ll put a smile on your face you won’t get rid of soon.
She’s gone from a international club performer to a musical theater star to a blues songwriter to a nurse then, in her early 80s, she returned to the stage, performing in jazz clubs around the world. She’s one of a kind. Where else will you hear an artist say “I’m gonna take my shoes off. My feet hurt.” in the middle of a recording? Though she’s no longer with us, the four CDs she recorded during the second phase of her singing career are a must-have for any jazz/blues lover.
Alberta Hunter – A Good Man Is Hard to Find
Alberta Hunter – Two-Fisted Double-Jointed Rough and Ready Man
Alberta Hunter – I’m Having a Good Time
Alberta Hunter – My Handy Man Ain’t Handy No More
Anouk
Rock – The Netherlands
Though she’s a big star in her country and other parts of Europe, Anouk continues to fly under the radar in other parts of the world. It’s a shame because she’s been producing music that would make any rock fan fall in love (well, except for one musical misstep with one album). Her latest single, “Three Days In A Row” is absolutely brilliant. If you miss your regular helping of Melissa Etheridge, here’s an alternative to ease your suffering.
Anouk – Three Days In A Row
Anouk – Break Down The Wall
Anouk – Sacrifice (String Version)
Anouk – It Wasn’t Me
Elisabeth Withers
R&B/Neo-Soul – United States
This is “grown folks music.” The kind that only a powerful, versatile singer like Elisabeth Withers can deliver. She’s constantly compared to Gladys Knight and she lives up to that compliment with her soulful, passionate sound. It’s tough for great singers to survive in the cookie-cutter music industry (Jennifer Holliday instantly comes to mind). Let’s hope we’ll hear from Elisabeth Withers for a long time. She’s definitely worth it.
Elisabeth Withers – The World Ain’t Ready
Elisabeth Withers – Simple Things
Elisabeth Withers – Sweat
Elisabeth Withers – Heartstrings
Emiliana Torrini
Pop, Electronica – Iceland
If you think Björk is the only source of great Icelandic music, you’re missing out. Emiliana Torrini is one of my personal favorites. I first heard of her when I was searching for music to satisfy my unending trip-hop cravings. (A man can only live so many years on Tricky and Portishead.) The first time I heard “Dead Things” from Love in the Time of Science, it actually made me say “wow” in slow motion. It still gives me an otherworldly feeling.
You may recognize her voice as the singer of the closing theme of Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. Interestingly, Björk was slated to sing the track but had to cancel because of her pregnancy.
Emiliana Torrini – Gun
Emiliana Torrini – Tuna Fish
Emiliana Torrini – Sunny Road
Emiliana Torrini – Dead Things
Helicopter Girl
Pop, Electronica – United Kingdom
Helicopter Girl is the professional name used by Jackie Joyce, a Scottish singer/songwriter/producer/musician. She’s definitely unlike most of the artists you’ll encounter. To me, she’s Björk, Laurie Anderson and Eartha Kitt rolled into one with a hint of Greta Garbo. (She even struck a deal with her record label that allowed her to record albums without the obligation of doing live performances.) So whenever you find yourself in a rut, throw on some Helicopter Girl to get in touch with you inner non-traditionalist.
Helicopter Girl – Alien for Breakfast
Helicopter Girl – Angel City
Helicopter Girl – Escape Cloud
Helicopter Girl – Blink
Aline de Lima
Jazz/Blues – Brazil
If you’re part of the crowd that thinks of bossa nova as “elevator music,” you’re depriving yourself of some of the best music around. I beg you to put that insane thought out of your mind as you listen to the music from this Paris-based Brazilian poet turned singer/songwriter. Her poems are described as melancholy expressions of joy and yearning. Add that to her beautiful, smooth voice and excellent musical production and you have music worthy of much praise.
Aline de Lima – Arrebol
Aline de Lima – Frevo Orfeu
Aline de Lima – Som Om Ingenting Har Hant
Aline de Lima – Mundo Ilusorio
Part 2 to this article is coming soon. Make sure you’re notified by joining the mailing list.
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