No doubt when people think of blue-eyed soul singers, Dusty Springfield is the first artist that comes to mind. In her wake, a trail of talented vocalists continue to carry the torch with Annie Lennox, Lisa Stansfield, Teena Marie, and others bridging the decades between Dusty and the latest generation. Now, they are here and they are great.
In no particular order:
1 Christina Aguilera
If there were ever any doubts that Christina should top this list, she set them to rest with her performance of James Brown’s “It’s a Man’s World” at the 2007 Grammy Awards. Even the Godfather of Soul would have been proud. One reason she’s so powerful, Christina sings with her entire body. She feels and enlivens the songs with every fiber of her being. Interestingly enough, she’s the only American in the bunch.
2 Adele
This award-winning British upstart has taken the world by storm with her sophomore release, 21, which was made when she was only you guessed it 21. Tunes like “Rolling in the Deep” owe no small debt to the pioneers of soul, including the aforementioned Dusty Springfield, as well as Unfortunately, the young singer wasn’t caring for her instrument as well as she should have and ended up having to cancel a number of tour dates earlier in 2011 due to a bout of laryngitis. Now recovered, Adele’s tour is set to resume in August.
3 Joss Stone
Rather than going the powerhouse route, a la Aguilera, Joss takes her contralto/mezzo-soprano voice on a slinkier, sultrier road and to great effect. Still, she’s not afraid to funk it up when the mood strikes. Her 2003 debut (The Soul Sessions) and 2004 follow-up (Mind, Body, & Soul) both were multi-platinum, award-winning efforts. All told, her first four releases have sold more than 11 million records worldwide. A fifth album by the English singer/songwriter, co-written and co-produced by Eurhythmics founder Dave Stewart, is set for a release on July 26, 2011.
4 Amy Winehouse
If she weren’t such a disaster in her personal life, Amy might rank higher on the list. But, her bouts with drug addiction, mental health issues, and rehab make her an unreliable, inconsistent artist. And it’s a shame. Regardless, her edgy take on the genre has proven successful, including the horn-infused hit, “Rehab”, from her 2006 sophomore effort, Back to Black. The album, which won five Grammy awards, features Winehouse backed by The Dap Kings, soul/funk icon Sharon Jones’s long-time band. Such is Amy’s wide appeal and deep talent that Tony Bennett included her on his Duets II release.
5 Duffy
This Welsh songstress may well be the most traditional of the batch, stylistically speaking. The Duffy-Dusty connection is loud and clear as evidenced in the video for her tune “Mercy.” Duffy’s 2008 debut, Rockferry, debuted at the top of the UK chart. “Mercy” followed suit. The next year, her efforts were further rewarded with the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album and three Brit Awards British Breakthrough, Best Female Solo and Best British Album. Late in 2010, Duffy released her second set, Endlessly. The effort didn’t do quite as well, only hitting number nine on the UK album chart. Before diving into her third record, Duffy has decided a hiatus is in order.
About the author: Writer Kelly McCartney spent her formative years spinning the Stylistics, K.C. and the Sunshine Band, and Rick Springfield. All grown up now, she much prefers the musical stylings of Brandi Carlile, Gomez, and Erykah Badu, although the old Stylistics tunes still sound pretty good.
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Great list Kelly, thanks very much for having it published here!
Gotta admire Amy Winehouse, even though she’s sunk so low. My favorite out of this list must be merge between Amy and Duffy. Great voices, awesome songs.
It didn’t post my reply in the right place!
Thanks, though. (see below for the rest)
Thanks! I think I’d have to go with Duffy. Love her retro-Dusty vibe. I wish Amy would pull herself together and focus!
Love #1 Xtina the most. She is known for her soulful, unique, powerful voice but she can also sing very soft, relaxing, soothing voice. She is a true artist.
So I got the rankings right, hey? Cool.
Terrible news about Amy Winehouse today, though.
Christina Aguilera has a voice like no one! Wish I could sang like her girl has some pipes that I haven’t seen in like forever.She The Voice for me!
xtina legend
This list is all wrong, it’s like some kind of Christina Aguilera propaganda clearly written by a fan. Christina is amazing but Amy Winehouse was the number one soul singer, Back to Black was the most amazing album.
Well, the list wasn’t written in any particular order (as far as I could tell when editing it..). Added the “no particular order” disclaimer to the post
Anyway, yes: Amy sure was one of the most talented artists of our time
No propaganda at all, actually. I put Aguilera at the top simply because she’s been around the longest. (I’m not even much of a fan of hers, quite honestly.)
wow, so tragic that Amy Winehouse isn’t among us anymore! Extremely talented young woman, R.I.P.
You have to figure, though, that anyone who openly mocks their addiction and need for help has a long way to go before hitting bottom. Terribly tragic that she couldn’t defeat her demons.
im a HUGE christina fan so im happy with the list
but this was a good list kelly. whether you hate christina or love christina we cant deny that she is talented. in a world full of ke$has and katys we should be happy to have artist like christina or any of the women on this list in the music industry to show what real, genuine, raw talent is.
I guess I must be out of it since I’ve only heard of two of your five. Thx for bringing me back to reality.
I believe Amy Winehouse should deserve to enthrone the highest position on that top 5 list. her mouthy vocals were such a distinctive feature that strikingly majestic and magically lasting on our minds till the last minute her record played on. I think the reason why Xtina tops the list because she has the powerhouse voice no other blue-eyed soul diva could match but I’m bit dilemmatic to choose between Xtina and Amy Winehouse since Aguilera has the power and Winehouse had the soultriness. how about this:
1. Christina Aguilera & Amy Winehouse
2. Adele
3. Norah Jones
4. Joss Stone
5. Duffy
it’s just a thought. everyone has their own, including me. so no problemo, right?
Christina Aguilera is Diva, complete artist. Full Talent with golden voice,Christina have high note and range vocal for touch every heart,,great dancing and acting,Beautiful,Blonde with blue eyes, Awesome….!!!