Female singer / songwriters have long been established as one of the pillars of modern music.  Pioneered by icons such as Carole King and Joni Mitchell, in recent years female singer / songwriters have garnered the respect of industry professionals, critics and audiences to such an extent that they’re often on top of the charts.  This guide is for people who enjoy listening to female singers sing their own words and might help you find a CD, record or DVD that appeals.

What better place to start than Carole King.  Is Tapestry still the biggest selling female solo album of all time?  I’m not sure of recent counts but it’s hard to imagine any album having as profound an impact on the industry as King’s (debatable) masterpiece.  For a great insight into the performer, you can’t beat her live CD at Carnegie Hall.  Locked in vaults for many years, if you do happen to track down King’s poignant and personal performance it’s well worth a listen.

The other place to start in this brief summary of singer / songwriters is Joni Mitchell.  I only discovered her recently after watching an SBS documentary of the Canadian and since then I’ve been hooked.  Any good music seller will offer you a wide selection of her albums but the songs that are a must-have are: Blue, A Case of You, The Circle Game and Both Sides Now.  Arguably one of the most influential female singer / songwriters ever, you aren’t a fan of female singers unless you own a Joni Mitchell CD.

In the 1980s is when a new wave of female performers started to take the world by storm.  Early in her career she performed other peoples’ songs, but a lot of Cyndi Lauper’s later work is amazing to listen to – gone are the higher pitched rebellious tones of She’s So Unusual, if you can track down Sisters of Avalon or Shine, you’ll be amazed at the artistry and her undeniable talents.  At Last, though an album of covers, truly shows that Cyndi Lauper is one of the best of her generation… and strips Madonna’s talents bear.  Sure Madonna has a wider appeal to audiences but imagine the two of them in an 80s idol and Lauper’s talent would have won hands-down.  Grab a copy of her At Last DVD to see she’s still got a lot of the misfit spirit in her too and keep a look out for her new CD – The Body Acoustic.

The 90s were arguably Alanis Morrissette's decade.  Jagged Little Pill probably rivals Tapestry as biggest selling female solo album of all time and the songs are angry but listenable, a real slice of life from this Canadian.  Her recent acoustic version of the same album is a must-own.  While we’re on Canadians, if you haven’t bought Sarah McLachlan into your CD collection, get to it!  Her Fumbling Towards Ecstasy is a good place to start.

A little more controversial to add to your collection: Tori Amos and Bjork.  No, they’re not at all similar but they each have a unique style and amazing talent.  Amos’ best song is Your Cloud, and Bjork’s self-titled debut was one of the best albums of the time – it’s still a great listen.  Other of her best efforts include Isobel.

British singer / songwriter Beth Orton is up there with the best.  Each of her albums are sweet and smokey, she’s got a sultry voice and live in concert can hold her own against anyone.  Central Reservation is an excellent morning-after song (have a listen) and She Cries Your Name is well worth a listen.  In similar vein and much harder to track down is Kathryn Williams – her Toocan is an excellent song.

Suzanne Vega and Aimee Mann share a similar folk sound.  Vega hasn’t done much of late but Luka is a perennial favourite and Marlene on the Wall is one of her best.  Aimee Mann is one of the great unsung heroes of female singer / songwriters.  You might know her music from the films Jerry Maguire and Magnolia but if you can track down Bachelor No. 2 or The Forgotten Arm, you won’t be disappointed.

A little known Australian with a sublime voice is Melanie Oxley.  Her CDs might be rare but they’re worth the hunt.  Her voice is smooth as honey and whether she’s singing jazz or pop, she’s one of the best this country has ever produced.  You can keep your Missy Higgins and your Delta Goodrem, Oxley is incomparable.

Annie Lennox, Tracy Chapman, Kate Bush, kd lang, Jane Silberry, Carly Simon… I could write forever but I won’t.  Grab any of these CDs and I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.