Running late this week, so here is a delayed, 'Music for Sunday'.
I have always like the female voice in music. I'm particuarly fond of the pure sound of the soprano, without heavy overtones or strong vibrato, although as these selections will show, that isn't an exclusive preference.
Here to start however is an operatic voice, the inimitable Frederika von Stade singing Bailero from 'Songs of the Auverne' by Canteloube.
Despite what I just said, one of my absolute favorite albums, the one I would pick above all others for my Desert Island Discs is 'Lady in Satin' by Billie Holiday. It is the absolute antithesis of von Stade. Her voice is gone, but you only have to hear a couple of bars to hear pure magic. Here she is with 'You don't know what love is'.
Another wonderful performer, almost as intense as Billie in her own way, was the late Etta James. Here she is with 'I'd rather go blind'.
Being a child of the '60s, you would expect of course to find a track by Joan Baez. Here she is before she was famous, aged only about 17, singing 'Barbara Allen'. A pure voice indeed, without any overtones, yet instantly recognisable.
I haven't always liked Maria Callas' voice. I suspect I allowed myself to be influenced by those who decried her lack of technique, as if technique was more important than voice and performance. This is 'O Mio Babbino Caro'.
Back to pop now, with Linda Ronstadt. I came to her late, with an album recorded with a big band that included this song, written by Kate and Anna Mcgarrigle, 'Talk to me of Mendocino'. The lyric is beautiful, a description of a cross-country car trip in which the songwriter takes leave of the mountains of Quebec and other natural markers of her youth, only to come face-to-face with the majestic power of the Mendocino redwoods.
Finally, with this one we are going back a long way to an object of my teenage lust - the British singer Kathy Kirby with 'Secret Love' from 1962. She projected an incredible sexuality for those days. Alas she died not long ago.
As with Duke last week, I have lots more to choose from. No Ella yet, no Astrud Gilberto, Beyonce (yes!), Diana Ross or Dinah Washington, so watch this space...
