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Friday, Jul 28 2017, 9PM
Odetta's music in the Civil Rights Era of the 1960s became the soundtrack for the movement. MLK, Jr. dubbed her "Queen of Folk" and she influenced Bob Dylan. Reviewed her for this top album lists by women that came out this week at NPR. www.npr.org
Reviewed this band for NPR's "Turning the Tables: 180 Best Albums by Women" list. Came out this week. www.npr.org
Reviewed this band for NPR's "Turning the Tables: 180 Best Albums by Women" list. Came out this week. www.npr.org
Ella started her career at a talent contest at the Apollo Theater in Harlem in 1934. She became "The First Lady of Song."
Janelle started out in musical theater, but felt there were no good parts for her. So she started singing and teamed up with Big Boi from Outkast, who is also on this track.
Karen O and Nick Zinner met at Oberlin University as students in the 1990s. This group was originally going to be a folk duo!
From the 1960s Janis laid the vocal (and very bluesy template) for rock and roll vocals!
Have a suggestion for this Greatest Female Musicians of All Time show? Send your email to dj@kexp.org, text 206-903-5397 or interact on twitter @djmichemyers, Instagram @djmichelemyers or Facebook www.facebook.com. Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul's career has spanned 6 decades!
Billie Holiday was jazz phenomenon from the 1950s. Her voice was often compared to a saxophone.
Aussie artist Sia is not only a stellar vocalist, but her lyrics are some of the best of the century. She made a name for herself at the start of her career singing with Zero 7.
Born 1949 in Kingston, Jamaica, Marcia Griffiths is considered the "Queen of Reggae"!
Missy Elliott is considered a top female rapper, she has defied category by adding influences from all kinds of music.
This Sri Lankan refugee relocated to London where she borrowed a friend's drum machine to make songs. Her sound is so unique, and songwriting so good, we still have yet to know her full influence.
London artist who's proven she can hold her own onstage singing with Mick Jagger.
One of the great female underground indie bands. With Kristin Hersh and Tanya Donnelly!
Sharon Jones is a KEXP favorite. Before her recent passing, she made 6 records with the Dap Kings and performed the most unforgettable live shows around.
Etta James was a Grammy Award-winning vocalist who was a huge influence on rock and roll. She is featured in the NPR list of top albums by women that I just contributed to. Check out the whole list here. www.npr.org
Icelandic vocalist/composer Bjork made a name for herself in indie band the Sugarcubes,then became one of the top electronic artists of our time.
Vocalist Tracey Thorne's worked with this band Massive Attack, with Everything But The Girl, multiple collaborators and does solo projects.
Tina Turner blew away the soul scene with her voice, and when she broke up with Ike became a rock superstar. We love you, Tina. You are a badass.
Not many great female artists who can play top-notch guitar like Bonnie!
Canadian vocalist/songwriter whose spooky undertones create incredible dramatic tension.
One of the great voices of Africa. From Cape Verde Cesaria's lush, tropical rhythms are both haunting and pure.
One of more than 100 artists featured in this NPR list I contributed to of the top albums made by women. www.npr.org
I'm obsessed with this song and the lyrics "all of my kindness is taken for weakness." Barbadian R&B vocalist/composer Rihanna is (in my humble opinion) with Sia and Gaga at the top of the list of talented pop women.
Definitely one of the best rock records made by a female! One of more than 100 artists featured in this NPR list I contributed to of the top albums made by women. www.npr.org
Originally 3 British guys and 1 American girl. Lead singer Chrissie Hynde was also the head songwriter and played rhythm guitar.
23 gold albums from this Latin artist, considered one of the great salsa artist of all time. She is included on NPR's great albums by women list.www.npr.org
The Supremes' sound in the 60s was part of the original blueprint for rock and roll!
A Drake redux by the incredible hip hop/soul force that is Badu. She has won two Grammy Awards.
This vocalist, lyricist, beatmaker is the one to watch in Seattle.
This group would use the effective words from speeches by Martin Luther King, Jr. to write songs, risking life and limb for the fight in the 1960s.
Nina Simone also risked her life singing civil rights songs before the struggle was named. She was not only brave, but also one of the most talented musicians ever. She ranked high on NPR's list of best albums by women. www.npr.org
Breaking out of the gay club scene, Gaga burst out with original sounds and fashion. She's inspired by Queen and Elton John.
This PNW superband was one of the most critically-acclaimed of the 90s.
Velvet Underground cover from this influential all-girl rock band. One of the first big rock bands that was all estrogen.
Brazilian artist Astrud Gilberto was the inspiration for the classic song "The Girl from Ipanema" - her vocals are still sampled and remixed.
Gladys Knight made her debut at the age of 4. Her gift was that big. Her band the pip was HER band and she'd replace the Pips quite often. Have a great weekend! Stay tuned!