1. I always thought Christine McVie, the pianist and singer/songwriter for Fleetwood Mac, was underrated in the music world. She was a rare talent and a gift musician. When I listen to her piano notes on songs like Silver Springs and others, it makes me shiver. She passed away yesterday.
2. Many women musicians are underrated, so I thought I'd see if I could find others. Next up would be Melissa Etheridge, who to my mind doesn't get credit for her songwriting ability and her ability to play guitar and piano.
3. Bonnie Raitt had her moment in the spotlight, but it took her years to get there, and she's a fabulous blues guitarist, probably one of the best.
4. Chrissy Hynde of The Pretenders is seldom mentioned as a guitar player, but she is a good one, and her vocals are terrific.
5. Nancy Wilson was the guitar player for Heart; generally, people think of Ann Wilson, who was the singer, but Nancy was the driving force behind the band.
6. Sheryl Crow writes good lyrics and is a decent guitar player. I don't rank her up there with Melissa Etheridge as far as playing goes, but she's a great musician and definitely overlooked.
7. KD Lang has a beautiful voice and can really belt out a song - why she wasn't more popular is beyond me.
8. Janis Ian's hit, "At Seventeen," seems to be her only song, but I've heard some of her other music and she's also a fine musician and underrated.
9. Joan Jett could rock out with the best of them, and she certain gave me chills when she was playing the guitar.
10. Sister Rosetta Tharpe is someone I discovered only about 10 years ago, and boy did I miss out watching this woman play. Watching her play guitar stuns me every time - especially when I realize this great musician was doing her thing in the 1940s.
11. Joni Mitchell may be well known for her folk songs, but it is the alternative tunings of her guitar that land her in this list. Many folks don't realize that she was innovative in her guitar style, developing alternative tunings unheard of until she came along.
12. Vicki Peterson was the guitarist for The Bangles, and it was her sound that kept that band in the charts.
13. Mother Maybelle Carter was an early guitar player who invented many of the licks country musicians still use today.
What female musicians would you add to this list?
__________________
Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 784th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.
Joni is finally getting her due. She was my all time most influential favorite. Sheryl Crow is an excellent songwriter. I think Christine McVie had some of the band's best hits and Chrissie Hynde is another favorite whose CDs I still play.
ReplyDeleteLinda Ronstadt. Tracy Chapman. I never cared for Fleetwood Mac. A shocking admission!
ReplyDeleteI guess it depends on how you define "musician." With time, I appreciate Karen Carpenter more and more. In real time, it was easy to make fun of The Carpenters because, well, Richard's arrangements are painful. But her voice and phrasing! And her insistence on playing drums when girls just didn't do that. As I get older, I guess I'm less concerned with being hip than I was 50 years ago (which is as it should be). I also love Aretha, Streisand and Garland, who act their songs as they perform them. As far as your list goes, Christine McVie was phenomenal. My favorite Fleetwood Mac songs are all hers. Bonnie Raitt and Melissa Etheridge write achingly authentic lyrics, too. I'd also add Carly Simon.
ReplyDeleteI know most of these musicians you mention here. Female artist don't get as much recognition as the males. I do like it when women play guitars. I'm a fan of The Bangles, I still know most of the words to some of their songs. I can't think of any particular female artists right now but I'm certain I listen to a lot of them without knowing.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day.
Some of the artists on your list are familiar though that is not the genre I typically listen to. You're right though, female artists don't get the same recognition as males in most categories.
ReplyDeleteI would add Annie Lennox, Sinead O'Connor, and I agree with KD Lange who I think is vastly under rated. Her rendition of "Skylark" is very beautiful.
ReplyDeleteCarol King, Carly Simon, Etta James, Natalie Cole, and Ricky Lee Jones.
ReplyDeleteI thought I posted here yesterday. Carole King is one of my favorites!
ReplyDelete