Women's Music CHAT THREAD

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

I've been nattering away off-topic on Stewie's excellent thread asking for suggestions for her International Women's Day CD...so thought I would start an ongoing thread for anyone who, like me particularly enjoys music by female artists and female-fronted bands.

I'm not looking for lists of recommendations - there are two threads called Music By Women which have dozens of brilliant suggestions of artists to check out.

This is more about sharing a recent discovery (artist doesn't have to be new, though!) - a song, album, band, singer/songwriter etc. etc. that have inspired or excited you and you want to share. Or to chew the cud about anything related to women's music that catches your interest. Please join in!

[SweetTheSting]

Have been listening to my new Be Good Tanyas album, thanks IC

[NicholasTeakozy]

Just catching up and listening to Jesca Hoop. Wow, what a fabulous voice! Thanks for posting that.

[BigBadBear]

I lurve Suzanne Vega: Marlene On The Wall is one of my all time favourite tunes, as is The Queen and The Soldier.

If you are having a rock moment, I'd definitely give a nod to Bonnie Tyler :)

[BigBadBear]

Well, you weren't really talking about risk, but Hazel and Bonnie are definitely the same era (in my head, at least).

[BigBadBear]

Risk? I meant rock

[SweetTheSting]

White coat, BBB?

[BigBadBear]

Ideally one of those lovely ones with the arms that wrap around the back please sweet :o

[KRITIQ]

Can't remember if she got mentioned further upthread, but I was very much enjoying Mary Chapin Carpenter last night.

[SkinnyVanillaLatte]

Anyone mentioned Michelle Shocked yet?

I'm very keen on stuff from Short,Sharp,Shocked and The Texas Campfire Tapes.

[KRITIQ]

Oh, I remember seeing her play at the Queens Student Union, Belfast in was it about 1987? Yes, lovely stuff.

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

A definite yes To Michelle Shocked, especially her first two albums, Skinny!

Speaking of rocking Bonnies, there's always Bonnie Raitt as well - not many women make their name as a respected rock guitarist the way she did (especially at that time, too).

Mmm... Mary Chapin Carpenter.....

Chuffed to see some of the thread's suggestions being picked up with such enthusiasm

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

Actually, on the subject of Michelle Shocked, that was a rather - ahem - shocking example of an artist not getting the monetary reward she was due when the bootleg Texas Campfire Tapes was released (having been recorded at the wrong speed because the tape recorder's batteries were running down!)

She later re-released a re-mastered version on CD (with the royalties going to the right place this time.)

She's certainly had an interesting life

[SkinnyVanillaLatte]

I knew Michelle Shocked had had her struggles,but that was an eye opening read Inmaculada.

[SweetTheSting]

Hmm, not a fan of that Hazel O'Connor but quite like the 'Secret' track and loved the Jesca Hoop - am buying the EP. You should get an iTunes commission, IC!

The KW Be-Bop track was fun, thanks, I'll keep an eye out for the album.

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

I would happily accept iTunes credits and would probably overspend hugely, so they'd do fine out of me..!!

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

IC's Tune For Today:

If you like June Tabor (and probably Jesca Hoop) then you may well enjoy Heidi Berry too - she released a few albums on 4AD in the 90s.

This is a lovely track from her album Love:

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

IC's Tune For Today:

Beth Ditto is overdue a mention on this thread, I reckon! She's a powerhouse of indie punk/thrash rock and certainly has the courage of her convictions.

I must say, I'm not remotely grabbed by The Gossip's newest stuff (bit too over-produced '80s throwback for my tastes) so I'm going back to their 2005 classic which was written by Beth as a protest against George W Bush's government's refusal to allow gay people to marry...

[SwedishEdith]

Speed read this thread but check out Caitlin Rose- she's ace.
Glad First Aid Kit have been mentioned - love that cd
Just got one by Rosie Thomas but not had a chance to listen yet. Heard Gideon Coe play a track "$2 shoes" so followed-up and bought the cd. Took ages to come so am guessing not many buyers

[bringbacksideburns]

I've finally discovered Lucinda Williams. It's about time!
She's sort of like a Country Chrissie Hynde/PJ Harvey.

Don't let the word 'Country' put you off!
Car Wheels on a Gravel Drive is the album i'm listening to it.

This is her angry song. I don't know how to get the link to just show up her name, sorry.

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

Swedish I've got that album by Rosie Thomas and it's lovely. I don't think you'll be disappointed! She wears another hat when she's not being a musician - she's a comedienne with a ditzy persona - I could hardly put her together with the same person who wrote those heartfelt acoustic songs when I first heard her doing her comedy thing..!

bbsb ah, thanks for reminding me about Lucinda Williams! That's a classic album of hers, too. Personally, I'm not remotely put off by the word Country when applied to music, I like quite a lot of stuff in that genre, especially by female vocalists (and the country tradition contains quite a few Strong Woman type songs as well as the more usually caricatured "mah awld dawg's dead..." ditties...).

[KRITIQ]

I heard Kyla La Grange on the radio the other day and was quite impressed with both her voice, and the music which was a bit edgy and vaguely reminded me of All About Eve.

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

Ooh, ace - more to explore - cheers KRITIQ!

I posted the link to Standing In The Way Of Control before I read this article but it's rather pertinent, as it turns out...

[KRITIQ]

Dang, I just saw she played Edinburgh last night and I missed it. Bum luck. She doesn't seem to have an album out yet, but I'll definitely be watching for it. It was the Jo Wiley show she was on.

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

Ooh, ooh, ooh!!


Two new discoveries to share:

A radio show dedicated to new and emerging music by female artists
The Other Woman with Ruth Barnes on Amazing Radio. Yay!

And...

IC's Tune For Today:

I heard Lauren Laverne play the forthcoming new single by The Moulettes, a Brighton folk collective (mixed, but I think you'll agree when you listen to the song, very much dominated by the various female vocalists/musicians) and instantly loved it.
Sing Unto Me by The Moulettes
(press the little green play button to get a stream)

Top stuff! I'm busy finding more of their music as fast as I can....

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

IC's Tune For Today:

Susheela Raman is UK-born with Southern Indian parents and fuses music from her family's culture with the jazz/torch song style.

This is from her first album, Salt Rain. Mellow, slightly haunting and beautifully sung.