have we had a 'brilliant women in music' thread yet???

[totalmisfit]

my votes go to:

Patty Smith

Sandy Denny

Bjork

or should that be Patti Smith? my spelling's atrocious this morning...

Nina Simone. My all time favourite woman in music.

Kate Bush.

ooh yes... Nina Simone. fab

Ella Fitzgerald

Patsy Cline

Amy Winehouse (controversial, I know )

But define "brilliant" - groundbreaking/innovative, or just superbly talented? Ella Fitzgerald had the most beautiful voice, but wasn't innovative in the way that say Bjork is.

good point hassled. i must admit i hadn't really thought it through... suggestions for a better definition most welcome...

perhaps if it makes you stop the first time you hear it and go 'my God! that's amazing!' ???

I love Kate Bush. I don't think men 'get her' at all though, do they?

I agree with a lot of the suggestions. How about Carole King?

Agree Carole King.

Actually Dolly Parton is probably one of the most creative and talented - and successful - women in music.

She writes all her own stuff and stuff you never knew was hers (Love is like a Butterfly, I will always love you), is an amazing performer and a great business woman.

i had a male teacher at school who was in lurrve with Kate Bush. we used to wind him up no end. sadly, that's the only thing i can remember about him now!

i had a male teacher at school who was in lurrve with Kate Bush. we used to wind him up no end. sadly, that's the only thing i can remember about him now!

oops!

Liz Phair
Chrissie Hynde
k.d. lang
Martha Wainwright

Ok, maybe it's nice sensitive men who 'get' Kate Bush, and not blokey-blokes

What about Janis Joplin!

tori amos

alanis morissette

avril lavigne

pink

(well i think they're great)

Can I add Lauren Laverne to the list?

I heart Kenickie!!

And Tori, natch, but someone got there before me!

Memphis Minnie.
Not that well known but she was one of the greatest blues women, witty, sexy, a guitarist as well as a singer.

She is said to have pioneered rock and roll guitar, but doesn't get the credit as there were no recordings.

And on the subject of the blues, Billie Holliday is worth a mention too.

May I raise a toast to PJ Harvey?

Blossom Dearie (fab name, amazing singer)
Macy Gray
Beth Gibbons (from Portishead)
Tracey Thorn

i'd like to add Heather Nova as well...

I'm quite evangellical about Blossom Dearie.

Listen to her here