Discussion:
Who is the female equivalent of Tom Jones?
(too old to reply)
Steve
2004-07-26 08:32:49 UTC
Permalink
Hi everyone,

My 12 year old daughter has a strong / booming voice and since it isn't in a
more typical feminine vibrato tinged class she feels self-conscious about
it. She has range and excellent pitch and I feel a real gift that just needs
time to refine itself. To keep her interested I have been scanning various
singers to see which one's might display similar characteristics and had
successful careers.

To date a few female singers I have found that she likes are Alanis
Morissette and Taylor Dayne. The funny thing is that I played a few Tom
Jones songs the other day and a connection was made. She says he is someone
she "can compete against."

So now I am on the hunt for the female version of Tom Jones. I've have been
using MusicMatch's "Related Artist" lists to find someone and haven't had
much success. The closest match I have come across so far is Petula Clark
who sings along with similar backing as Tom Jones but is a bit dated,
although that may be more a function of the recording equipment of her early
days.

If anyone can recommend an artist or two I would be grateful.

Steve
Mike Mooney
2004-07-26 12:43:18 UTC
Permalink
Post by Steve
Hi everyone,
My 12 year old daughter has a strong / booming voice and since it isn't in a
more typical feminine vibrato tinged class she feels self-conscious about
it. She has range and excellent pitch and I feel a real gift that just needs
time to refine itself. To keep her interested I have been scanning various
singers to see which one's might display similar characteristics and had
successful careers.
To date a few female singers I have found that she likes are Alanis
Morissette and Taylor Dayne. The funny thing is that I played a few Tom
Jones songs the other day and a connection was made. She says he is someone
she "can compete against."
So now I am on the hunt for the female version of Tom Jones. I've have been
using MusicMatch's "Related Artist" lists to find someone and haven't had
much success. The closest match I have come across so far is Petula Clark
who sings along with similar backing as Tom Jones but is a bit dated,
although that may be more a function of the recording equipment of her early
days.
If anyone can recommend an artist or two I would be grateful.
I'd be looking at 60s soul divas, primarily the great Aretha Franklin. Good
luck to your daughter if she can compete!

Mike M
P.S. Ann Peebles?
Steve2000indeja
2004-07-26 14:59:26 UTC
Permalink
Post by Steve
Post by Steve
Hi everyone,
My 12 year old daughter has a strong / booming voice and since it isn't in
a
Post by Steve
more typical feminine vibrato tinged class she feels self-conscious about
it. She has range and excellent pitch and I feel a real gift that just
needs
Post by Steve
time to refine itself. To keep her interested I have been scanning various
singers to see which one's might display similar characteristics and had
successful careers.
To date a few female singers I have found that she likes are Alanis
Morissette and Taylor Dayne. The funny thing is that I played a few Tom
Jones songs the other day and a connection was made. She says he is
someone
Post by Steve
she "can compete against."
So now I am on the hunt for the female version of Tom Jones. I've have
been
Post by Steve
using MusicMatch's "Related Artist" lists to find someone and haven't had
much success. The closest match I have come across so far is Petula Clark
who sings along with similar backing as Tom Jones but is a bit dated,
although that may be more a function of the recording equipment of her
early
Post by Steve
days.
If anyone can recommend an artist or two I would be grateful.
I'd be looking at 60s soul divas, primarily the great Aretha Franklin. Good
luck to your daughter if she can compete!
Mike M
P.S. Ann Peebles?
Tina Turner

Steve
Mike Girouard
2004-07-27 08:47:11 UTC
Permalink
Post by Steve
Post by Mike Mooney
Post by Steve
Hi everyone,
My 12 year old daughter has a strong / booming voice and since it isn't in
a
Post by Mike Mooney
Post by Steve
more typical feminine vibrato tinged class she feels self-conscious about
it. She has range and excellent pitch and I feel a real gift that just
needs
Post by Mike Mooney
Post by Steve
time to refine itself. To keep her interested I have been scanning various
singers to see which one's might display similar characteristics and had
successful careers.
To date a few female singers I have found that she likes are Alanis
Morissette and Taylor Dayne. The funny thing is that I played a few Tom
Jones songs the other day and a connection was made. She says he is
someone
Post by Mike Mooney
Post by Steve
she "can compete against."
So now I am on the hunt for the female version of Tom Jones. I've have
been
Post by Mike Mooney
Post by Steve
using MusicMatch's "Related Artist" lists to find someone and haven't had
much success. The closest match I have come across so far is Petula Clark
who sings along with similar backing as Tom Jones but is a bit dated,
although that may be more a function of the recording equipment of her
early
Post by Mike Mooney
Post by Steve
days.
If anyone can recommend an artist or two I would be grateful.
I'd be looking at 60s soul divas, primarily the great Aretha Franklin. Good
luck to your daughter if she can compete!
Mike M
P.S. Ann Peebles?
Tina Turner
Steve
Heather Small and Gracie Slick.

FoggyTown
Tregembo
2004-07-26 15:14:07 UTC
Permalink
Post by Steve
Hi everyone,
My 12 year old daughter has a strong / booming voice and since it isn't in a
more typical feminine vibrato tinged class she feels self-conscious about
it. She has range and excellent pitch and I feel a real gift that just needs
time to refine itself. To keep her interested I have been scanning various
singers to see which one's might display similar characteristics and had
successful careers.
To date a few female singers I have found that she likes are Alanis
Morissette and Taylor Dayne. The funny thing is that I played a few Tom
Jones songs the other day and a connection was made. She says he is someone
she "can compete against."
So now I am on the hunt for the female version of Tom Jones. I've have been
using MusicMatch's "Related Artist" lists to find someone and haven't had
much success. The closest match I have come across so far is Petula Clark
who sings along with similar backing as Tom Jones but is a bit dated,
although that may be more a function of the recording equipment of her early
days.
If anyone can recommend an artist or two I would be grateful.
Steve
There are none with a comparable level of success but I would suggest Lesley
Gore, Dusty Springfield and Jackie De Shannon.

Ray Arthur
SharkWTFK
2004-07-26 21:30:51 UTC
Permalink
Post by Steve
Hi everyone,
My 12 year old daughter has a strong / booming voice and since it isn't in a
more typical feminine vibrato tinged class she feels self-conscious about
it. She has range and excellent pitch and I feel a real gift that just needs
time to refine itself. To keep her interested I have been scanning various
singers to see which one's might display similar characteristics and had
successful careers.
To date a few female singers I have found that she likes are Alanis
Morissette and Taylor Dayne. The funny thing is that I played a few Tom
Jones songs the other day and a connection was made. She says he is someone
she "can compete against."
So now I am on the hunt for the female version of Tom Jones. I've have been
using MusicMatch's "Related Artist" lists to find someone and haven't had
much success. The closest match I have come across so far is Petula Clark
who sings along with similar backing as Tom Jones but is a bit dated,
although that may be more a function of the recording equipment of her early
days.
If anyone can recommend an artist or two I would be grateful.
Now this is a more interesting topic:

If you mean by singing the same type/commercial music then Celine Dion,
Mariah Carey or solo singers from the boy bands would be the ones.

If you mean the same-ish vocal range then it'd have to be Wilson
Pickett/Otis Redding who he attempted to emulate.

If you mean someone who belted every song out the same regardless of tone,
passion, etc then I'm afraid Jones is unique in that respect.
--
SharkWTFK

Nuns: Chick thugs with a good press.
SharkWTFK
2004-07-26 21:35:43 UTC
Permalink
oops,
See further down for corrections
Post by Steve
Post by Steve
Hi everyone,
My 12 year old daughter has a strong / booming voice and since it isn't
in
Post by Steve
a
Post by Steve
more typical feminine vibrato tinged class she feels self-conscious about
it. She has range and excellent pitch and I feel a real gift that just
needs
Post by Steve
time to refine itself. To keep her interested I have been scanning various
singers to see which one's might display similar characteristics and had
successful careers.
To date a few female singers I have found that she likes are Alanis
Morissette and Taylor Dayne. The funny thing is that I played a few Tom
Jones songs the other day and a connection was made. She says he is
someone
Post by Steve
she "can compete against."
So now I am on the hunt for the female version of Tom Jones. I've have
been
Post by Steve
using MusicMatch's "Related Artist" lists to find someone and haven't had
much success. The closest match I have come across so far is Petula Clark
who sings along with similar backing as Tom Jones but is a bit dated,
although that may be more a function of the recording equipment of her
early
Post by Steve
days.
If anyone can recommend an artist or two I would be grateful.
If you mean by singing the same type/commercial music then Celine Dion,
Mariah Carey or solo singers from the boy bands would be the ones.
If you mean the same-ish vocal range then it'd have to be Wilson
Pickett/Otis Redding who he attempted to emulate.
The female equivalent of these guys would probably be Carla Thomas / Lavern
Baker. Current? Jeez, Joss Stone, Macy Gray, Alison Moyet/Yazoo a bit
further back.
Post by Steve
If you mean someone who belted every song out the same regardless of tone,
passion, etc then I'm afraid Jones is unique in that respect.
This bit still stands.
--
SharkWTFK

Nuns: Chick thugs with a good press.
Eramon1
2004-07-26 23:10:03 UTC
Permalink
In some ways, Shirley Bassey.
Will C.
2004-07-27 02:41:49 UTC
Permalink
Post by Eramon1
In some ways, Shirley Bassey.
I would have to agree having seen both in concert. But Shirley, to me, is far
more entertaining.
eric h
2004-07-27 02:12:47 UTC
Permalink
Post by Steve
much success. The closest match I have come across so far is Petula Clark
who sings along with similar backing as Tom Jones but is a bit dated,
Bah. Pet is timeless.
Post by Steve
although that may be more a function of the recording equipment of her early
days.
No, it's the arrangements. The Tony Hatch scores are a unique
sound, very much a product of their time, but who could possibly imagine
anything other that somber piano to introduce "Downtown", or the
string-laden score for "Don't Sleep in the Subway" that almost sounds
like parts of it were borrowed from the Beach Boys?

(There wasn't a darn thing wrong with the recording equipment of the
early-to-mid 1960s--some of the best recordings ever made were done then.)
Post by Steve
If anyone can recommend an artist or two I would be grateful.
Two of the deeper, more interesting female voices I can think of are Cher
and Rosemary Clooney. And then there's the whole spectrum of soul
singers.
--
---
"Wake Up, Everybody."--McFadden/Whitehead/Carstarphen
RIP John Whitehead 1948-2004
Mister Charlie
2004-07-27 02:42:36 UTC
Permalink
Lulu had the voice and exciting style when she wanted.
Mike Girouard
2004-07-27 08:40:52 UTC
Permalink
Post by Mister Charlie
Lulu had the voice and exciting style when she wanted.
Biggest female voice of the last few decades - Heather Small.

From the 50s - maybe Brenda Lee?

FoggyTown
Greg Ioannou
2004-07-28 06:17:19 UTC
Permalink
Post by Mister Charlie
Lulu had the voice and exciting style when she wanted.
Right. Shirley Bassey and Dusty Springfield also come to mind. And Alison
McCallum, but it is likely hard to find her stuff now!

Greg
eric h
2004-08-01 06:21:45 UTC
Permalink
Post by Steve
If anyone can recommend an artist or two I would be grateful.
If I can throw in one more, this came to me as I was listening to my
99-cent copy of the greatest-hits CD she made with her husband: the
wonderful voice of the ballsy, bluesy singer of such hits as "Lonely
Night," the remake of "Shop Around," and, of course, "Love Will Keep Us
Together"--yes, the wonderful former Beach Girl herself, Toni Tennille.

And no, I'm not kidding. Tom Jones could sing "Lonely Night" and it
would be almost as wonderful as when Toni sang it. Almost.

Eric, who <heart>s Toni
--
---
"Wake Up, Everybody."--McFadden/Whitehead/Carstarphen
RIP John Whitehead 1948-2004
Jon
2004-07-27 04:44:44 UTC
Permalink
Post by Steve
Hi everyone,
My 12 year old daughter has a strong / booming voice and since it isn't in a
more typical feminine vibrato tinged class she feels self-conscious about
it.
Post by Steve
So now I am on the hunt for the female version of Tom Jones.
A few women with strong rock voices:
--Ann Wilson (Heart)
--Grace Slick (Jefferson Airplane)
--Janis Joplin
eric h
2004-07-27 05:37:21 UTC
Permalink
Post by Jon
--Ann Wilson (Heart)
--Grace Slick (Jefferson Airplane)
--Janis Joplin
And, duh-how-could-I-forget: the wonderful, immortal Pat Benatar.
--
---
"Wake Up, Everybody."--McFadden/Whitehead/Carstarphen
RIP John Whitehead 1948-2004
SharkWTFK
2004-07-27 06:21:18 UTC
Permalink
Post by eric h
Post by Jon
--Ann Wilson (Heart)
--Grace Slick (Jefferson Airplane)
--Janis Joplin
And, duh-how-could-I-forget: the wonderful, immortal Pat Benatar.
Oh please, 1 was 2 too many!
--
SharkWTFK

Nuns: Chick thugs with a good press.
Mike Mooney
2004-07-27 08:48:44 UTC
Permalink
Post by eric h
Post by Jon
--Ann Wilson (Heart)
--Grace Slick (Jefferson Airplane)
--Janis Joplin
And, duh-how-could-I-forget: the wonderful, immortal Pat Benatar.
I wish I could. Ugh.

Mike M
Peter
2004-07-27 05:37:07 UTC
Permalink
Post by Steve
Hi everyone,
My 12 year old daughter has a strong / booming voice and since it isn't in a
more typical feminine vibrato tinged class she feels self-conscious about
it. She has range and excellent pitch and I feel a real gift that just needs
time to refine itself. To keep her interested I have been scanning various
singers to see which one's might display similar characteristics and had
successful careers.
To date a few female singers I have found that she likes are Alanis
Morissette and Taylor Dayne. The funny thing is that I played a few Tom
Jones songs the other day and a connection was made. She says he is someone
she "can compete against."
So now I am on the hunt for the female version of Tom Jones. I've have been
using MusicMatch's "Related Artist" lists to find someone and haven't had
much success. The closest match I have come across so far is Petula Clark
who sings along with similar backing as Tom Jones but is a bit dated,
although that may be more a function of the recording equipment of her early
days.
If anyone can recommend an artist or two I would be grateful.
Steve
How about Tina Turner?

Peter.
Lumpy
2004-07-27 11:12:59 UTC
Permalink
Post by Steve
My 12 year old daughter has a strong / booming voice and
since it isn't in a more typical feminine vibrato tinged
class she feels self-conscious about it...
...I played a few Tom Jones songs the other day and a
connection was made. She says he is someone she "can
compete against."
So now I am on the hunt for the female version of Tom
Jones...
As a voice instructor, I'm interested in her comment
"can compete against". How is it that she feels
"against" TJ?

And also as a voice instructor, I suggest NEVER trying
to emulate someone with similar vocal style. If your
daughter were to emulate Aretha, for example, the
best she could ever hope for is a "pretty good imitation"
of Aretha. If, on the other hand, she were to study
Tom Jones, she would be putting a completely new
slant on his style.

Imagine reading PR material for an album or concert.
Consider the difference:

"The next Aretha Franklin"

or

"Imagine the fem version of Tom Jones"

A girl studying Tom Jones will come up with new
stuff that Tom never did. A girl studying Aretha
has a built in failure expectation.

How many male vocalists with a guitar do you find
singing James Taylor, Jimmy Buffet and Cat Stevens.
Every club and open mic in town has that.

But how about a male vocalist playing Rolling Stones
tunes on banjo? Or Steve Winwood/Dolly Parton medlys
on ukulele?

Lumpy
--
Chanteuse You!
www.digitalcartography.com/barbarahuning
Mike Mooney
2004-07-27 13:26:09 UTC
Permalink
Post by Lumpy
And also as a voice instructor, I suggest NEVER trying
to emulate someone with similar vocal style.
How many male vocalists with a guitar do you find
singing James Taylor, Jimmy Buffet and Cat Stevens.
Every club and open mic in town has that.
i.e. if you want to get regular gigs, this is the way to go.
Post by Lumpy
But how about a male vocalist playing Rolling Stones
tunes on banjo? Or Steve Winwood/Dolly Parton medlys
on ukulele?
And there's a good reason you don't see them! It's career suicide!

How many singers are seriously going after "stardom"? Your argument above
would suggest it's better to go down a "safe" route, if all you want to do
is play for pleasure and small profit.

Mike M
Lumpy
2004-08-01 12:58:15 UTC
Permalink
Post by Mike Mooney
How many singers are seriously
going after "stardom"?...
Offhand my guess would be...All of them.

I doubt that the 12 year old girl, subject
of the original post, is thinking -
"I should probably do mostly Cheryl Crowe
covers so that I could get a regular gig
at the local smoke filled bar"

If she wants to sing like Tom Jones, I think
she should dive into TJ music. We certainly
don't need another Mariah or Celine.

I hope the OP, Steve, keeps us posted on
the young lady's progress.

Lumpy
--
In Your Ears for 40 Years
http://www.lumpymusic.com
Steve
2004-07-30 15:11:06 UTC
Permalink
"Compete" in the sense of he represents someone who has a strong voice like
herself and is a standard to be reckoned with. She really is independent
minded and doesn't feel the need to be like him, only grateful that there is
someone like her.
Bobby The D
2004-07-27 18:55:09 UTC
Permalink
Post by Steve
To date a few female singers I have found that she likes are Alanis
Morissette and Taylor Dayne. The funny thing is that I played a few Tom
Jones songs the other day and a connection was made. She says he is someone
she "can compete against."
I wouldn't put Alanis anywhere in the neighborhood. To my ears she's
just screechy. Not a pleasant voice in the least.
SharkWTFK
2004-07-27 21:39:13 UTC
Permalink
Post by Bobby The D
Post by Steve
To date a few female singers I have found that she likes are Alanis
Morissette and Taylor Dayne. The funny thing is that I played a few Tom
Jones songs the other day and a connection was made. She says he is someone
she "can compete against."
I wouldn't put Alanis anywhere in the neighborhood. To my ears she's
just screechy. Not a pleasant voice in the least.
And Tom Jones is?
--
SharkWTFK

Nuns: Chick thugs with a good press.
Steve2000indeja
2004-07-28 02:15:18 UTC
Permalink
Post by Steve
Post by Bobby The D
Post by Steve
To date a few female singers I have found that she likes are Alanis
Morissette and Taylor Dayne. The funny thing is that I played a few Tom
Jones songs the other day and a connection was made. She says he is
someone
Post by Bobby The D
Post by Steve
she "can compete against."
I wouldn't put Alanis anywhere in the neighborhood. To my ears she's
just screechy. Not a pleasant voice in the least.
And Tom Jones is?
This got me thinking: a female vocal stylist who's not a great singer but gets
by (very well with fans) on attitude and lots of bombast, not much taste,
subtlety. And for a long time a lot of sexing it up onstage..

I withdraw Tina Turner. She's way too good a singer and is a true artist. I
was mainly thinking of her stage show not her voice when i first mentioned her.

Cher.
----
Steve
Steve
2004-07-30 15:20:39 UTC
Permalink
I know what you mean, the same with Sheryl Crow who puts my teeeth on edge
despite a talent for the pop fantazma.
SharkWTFK
2004-07-30 19:25:57 UTC
Permalink
Post by Steve
I know what you mean, the same with Sheryl Crow who puts my teeeth on edge
despite a talent for the pop fantazma.
I think the winner is the one who suggested Ethel Merman is the female
equiv.
--
SharkWTFK

Nuns: Chick thugs with a good press.
Steve Carras
2004-07-31 03:51:17 UTC
Permalink
Dusty Springfield?
Steve2000indeja
2004-07-31 18:35:59 UTC
Permalink
Post by SharkWTFK
I think the winner is the one who suggested Ethel Merman is the female
equiv.
Maybe for the bombastic foghorn style vocal delivery. There was more to Tom
Jones than the voice. There had to be. I doubt Ethyl got many room keys - and
other things- tossed at her onstage while she was belting it out (shudder:).

A young lady I was involved with for years in the late 70s/early 80s used to go
to Tom Jones concerts with her married sisters and some other girlfriends. It
seemed like- for them- it was kinda like a slightly more innocent thing than
going to one of those Chippendale male dancer shows..or so I was told. I was
never required or invited to go to the Tom Jones shows.
---------
But, I believe the original question was mainly about vocal style, and perhaps
Ethyl is in the TJ ballpark.

imo,

Steve
Mister Charlie
2004-07-31 19:39:11 UTC
Permalink
Post by SharkWTFK
I think the winner is the one who suggested Ethel Merman is the female
equiv.
Yes, and Ethel was known to be a crotch stuffer as well.

;-)
Steve
2004-07-28 04:09:11 UTC
Permalink
Thank you for all the well informed replies, very helpful. Steve.
scroob
2004-07-29 07:30:03 UTC
Permalink
Who is the female equivalent of Tom Jones?
Dusty Springfield.
Rod
2004-07-30 02:15:07 UTC
Permalink
Ethel Merman? Liza Minelli? both sing with 'great loudness'..
Post by Steve
Hi everyone,
If anyone can recommend an artist or two I would be grateful.
Steve
FiLL
2004-08-01 20:36:40 UTC
Permalink
--
My CD Store On Half.com
http://half.ebay.com/shops/shops.jsp?seller_id=1044802
(Just Added:Discounted Blues CDs)
Post by Steve
Hi everyone,
If anyone can recommend an artist or two I would be grateful.
You mean, like a babe with her shirt open showing her hairy chest?
Steve
2004-08-02 18:32:12 UTC
Permalink
Thanks again. One more I came across that hit the mark - Shirley Bassey and
the infamous "Goldfinger."

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