Singers that sound similar to Stevie

[rubylounge]

In a recent post someone mentioned Maria McKee from Lone Justice had a sound similar to Stevie. Here is a link to a little know band called Vesper Sparrow from Fort Lauderdale, Florida that I have been following since 1988. I have always felt that the lead singer sounded similar to Stevie. My uncle dated the lead singer of Vesper Sparrow and she gave him their demo tape in '88 which I had for years. The tape broke a few years ago so I tracked down the lead singer and she sent me a cd. The song that I feel sounds a lot like Stevie is called "Don't Give Your Love Away" and also "Highway" The songs are in the middle of the page if you want to listen to them.
Link:
http://www.reverbnation.com/vespersparrow

[GoldDustWoman22]

Wow the lead singer definitely has a Stevie tinged sound to her voice.Her voice especially reminds me of Stevie's circa Bella Donna. One new singer who kind of has that same register as Stevie would be Lissie. She's kind of rock n' roll I guess.I don't think her and Stevie sound identical but there's definitely some kind of similarity there. She's definitely better than some of the top 10 out there today:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7OWdB2Pj28

I would also argue that Adele sounds kind of like her too. Especially on "Someone Like You". OK and I just thought about something. What about Karen Carpenter. I know that their lyrics left something to be desired most of the time but I feel like there was something similar in her and Stevie's vocals...they were both altos for starters and they both were able to convey a lot of emotion in their voices. I feel as if I'm way off here but maybe...?

But I have to say I have not found a singer that can measure up to Stevie's in terms of being mystical or especially in her vulnerability. That's something that is Stevie's all her own.:angel:

[mylittledemon]

some people have compared Lissie to Stevie... check out "In Sleep" and "When I'm Alone"

[dersaw]

Have any of you heard Claire Maguire?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpDjO3NQxdY

[mylittledemon]

Sounds a bit more like Cher to me than Stevie :shrug:

[ButterCookie]

Have any of you heard Claire Maguire?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpDjO3NQxdY

I adore Clare but I don't think she sounds anything like Stevie. I saw her live earlier in the year, too and she definitely didn't then.

[porkpie]

Belinda Carlisle. Same shakey, nasal tones (in a good way!) recorded lots of Rick Nowels tunes and had a very healthy coke habit.

[Christopher]

IMO, No one in truth sounds similar to Stevie. She truly has a one of a kind instrument, whether back in her youth or fast forward to today. Her sweet, smokey, whiskey and honey tones are practically patentable.

[Artemis]

One of the Wilson Sisters (I get them mixed up all the time, so I can't remember which one... I want to say Nancy?) sounds exactly like Stevie on one of their new songs... but apart from that, I can't think of anyone else, off the top of my head.

[rubylounge]

IMO, No one in truth sounds similar to Stevie. She truly has a one of a kind instrument, whether back in her youth or fast forward to today. Her sweet, smokey, whiskey and honey tones are practically patentable.

I agree with you and feel that Stevie is always # one with her beautiful voice and mystical style. She is definately one of a kind.

[rubylounge]

Wow the lead singer definitely has a Stevie tinged sound to her voice.Her voice especially reminds me of Stevie's circa Bella Donna. One new singer who kind of has that same register as Stevie would be Lissie. She's kind of rock n' roll I guess.I don't think her and Stevie sound identical but there's definitely some kind of similarity there. She's definitely better than some of the top 10 out there today:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7OWdB2Pj28

But I have to say I have not found a singer that can measure up to Stevie's in terms of being mystical or especially in her vulnerability. That's something that is Stevie's all her own.:angel:

I really like Lissie & have never heard this before. Thanks!

[Silver Springs]

I've often heard Stevie compared to the lesser known Melanie Safka. Maybe in her more humble, low key numbers there is somewhat of a resemblance. But other than that I believe they're akin only in style and demureness. A lot of artists are very easy to compare to others, but it is extremely difficult for me to think of an artist who is similar in voice and style as Ms. Nicks. She's one of a kind. The only person in contemporary music, for example, I could accuse of being even remotely similar is probably Florence Welsh. But I think she needs to kick start a severe smoking habit to get quite the whispy, husky voice Stevie has.

[WildHearted]

Miley Cyrus has the husky vibrato going on, something about her voice reminds me of Stevie's at times, although definitely a low-grade version.

[Silver Springs]

Miley Cyrus has the husky vibrato going on, something about her voice reminds me of Stevie's at times, although definitely a low-grade version.

Low grade, indeed. Miley Cyrus is the Tripe to Stevie's T Bone Steak.

[Travisevian]

Tiffany sounded a bit like Stevie on Should've Been Me from her debut album and as someone mentioned Belinda Carlisle, post Go-Go's. I used to think Circle In The Sand was recorded by Stevie. It wasn't until much later that I realized why.

In a recent post someone mentioned Maria McKee from Lone Justice had a sound similar to Stevie. Here is a link to a little know band called Vesper Sparrow from Fort Lauderdale, Florida that I have been following since 1988. I have always felt that the lead singer sounded similar to Stevie. My uncle dated the lead singer of Vesper Sparrow and she gave him their demo tape in '88 which I had for years. The tape broke a few years ago so I tracked down the lead singer and she sent me a cd. The song that I feel sounds a lot like Stevie is called "Don't Give Your Love Away" and also "Highway" The songs are in the middle of the page if you want to listen to them.
Link:
http://www.reverbnation.com/vespersparrow

Don't Give Your Love Away sounds great and I am definitely reminded of Stevie, also Paulette Carson(formerly of Highway 101) and Emmylou Harris and perhaps, a little Bangles. Thanks for sharing this.

What about Karen Carpenter. I know that their lyrics left something to be desired most of the time but I feel like there was something similar in her and Stevie's vocals...

I've not heard any similarities but Karen Carpenter had a beautiful voice.

[tothegypsy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4Q4_YMUy0E

I used to think Stevie was doing uncredited backing vocals, because of how much Courtney can sound like her at times.

[mylittledemon]

Great song! I've not heard that in ages... :thumbsup:

[fringed n fab]

IMO, No one in truth sounds similar to Stevie. She truly has a one of a kind instrument, whether back in her youth or fast forward to today. Her sweet, smokey, whiskey and honey tones are practically patentable.

I have to agree.

[WildHearted]

Lady Gaga channeled Stevie a bit on the duet she did with Elton John earlier this year for that Gnome movie.

But, I agree with everyone else, that Stevie's voice and style is pretty much unmistakable...

[delongpre]

The first time I heard thesong Waterfalls by TLC I thought it was Stevie. Not sure which one has the voice like hers but it sure sounds like her.

[Blueletter18]

In a recent post someone mentioned Maria McKee from Lone Justice had a sound similar to Stevie. Here is a link to a little know band called Vesper Sparrow from Fort Lauderdale, Florida that I have been following since 1988. I have always felt that the lead singer sounded similar to Stevie. My uncle dated the lead singer of Vesper Sparrow and she gave him their demo tape in '88 which I had for years. The tape broke a few years ago so I tracked down the lead singer and she sent me a cd. The song that I feel sounds a lot like Stevie is called "Don't Give Your Love Away" and also "Highway" The songs are in the middle of the page if you want to listen to them.
Link:
http://www.reverbnation.com/vespersparrow

WOW that is awesome, not necessarily because it sounds a little like Stevie, but because they have a cool sound in their own right. I liked "Especially Tonight." Thanks!

[mikephxaz]

I agree that there are not many who come close to Stevie (I had mentioned Maria McKee earlier) but recently on youtube I came across Florance and the Machine doing a slow version of her recent hit "Dog Days Are Over" for the Noble Peace Prize...it is sooooooooo Stevie So beautiful...check it out

[GoldDustWoman22]

IMO, No one in truth sounds similar to Stevie. She truly has a one of a kind instrument, whether back in her youth or fast forward to today. Her sweet, smokey, whiskey and honey tones are practically patentable.

I totally agree. The only thing that maybe a little similar would be the vocal range...but other than that our girl's in a league all her own:angel:

[BombaySapphire3]

As a harmony singer I always thought Stevie and Emmylou Harris had a similar style and gift.In fact when I first heard "Gold" on the radio in the summer of 1979 I thought the harmony singer was Emmylou before the end of the song I knew it was Stevie though.I think it was the "ewww yeah" part that convinced me.

[bombaysaffires]

I agree that there are not many who come close to Stevie (I had mentioned Maria McKee earlier) but recently on youtube I came across Florance and the Machine doing a slow version of her recent hit "Dog Days Are Over" for the Noble Peace Prize...it is sooooooooo Stevie So beautiful...check it out

Some of her outfits are very Stevie-esque as well. She was on GMA in a reddish outfit with chiffon sleeves like the red version of the Rumours cover outfit.

[jcfree]

rubylounge, thanks for your post about Vesper Sparrow, I went to their link on reverbnation and listened to the songs listed there, and was really taken with their music. Clicked on their Amazon link and purchased their cd, wow, got 30 songs with it! I am so loving their music!

[olive]

thanks for posting this ,I have been trying to remember Maria's last name and band , now to find some of their music what I had from the 80's is lost

[DameLindsey]

Some of her outfits are very Stevie-esque as well. She was on GMA in a reddish outfit with chiffon sleeves like the red version of the Rumours cover outfit.

I've seen them in concert and I knew she was a big, big Stevie/Fleetwood Mac fan but this girl has been watching some old youtube videos or something. I mean, she copies Stevie (I mean that lovingly) so much! She was doing Rhiannon moves and SOTM moves and that show and I turned to my friend and said "All she needs now is a tambourine" and I looked back and she had picked up a tambourine. Her influences are clear and she's been very honest about that....She's amazing in her own right too but I'm glad she's clearly influenced by my fave. :thumbsup:

[darklinensuit]

I know that when Stevie's first "Silent Night" was released, at least one of the reviewers pointed to this singer as a possible influence:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LhZOziDjWI


- Jake

[jellyman10]

I think just about any well-rounded contralto with a touch of reediness or vibrato is going to enter Stevie territory on a phrase here and there. For me, I hear it in (as others have said) Belinda Carlisle and Susanna Hoffs. A little Maria McKee. I adore Karen Carpenter, but don't hear it there. There's the odd glimpse in Natalie Merchant, too.

[Bryan]

The Pierces. imo.

<iframe width="560" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0kFhx27OMdE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

P.S. Lissie=bitch.that is all.

[WildHearted]

If we can cross the gender barrier.. then.. I've always thought (Grown up) Taylor Hanson actually has a similar sound to Stevie, only, male. Lots of vibrato, some rasp, a slight reed-like quality at times, characteristically nasal... as far as pronunciation - equally hard to understand, emphasis on weird sounds (s's and h's) hah. Except, he sings higher than she does, nowadays. :lol:

[bombaysaffires]

I always got a kick out of people who deliberately tried to imitate Stevie. The worst is Quarterflash who called themselves the "updated FMac" and completely tried to imitate "Dreams" with their song "Harden My Heart". I was so happy when everything after that flopped and they faded into obscurity. The cheek!

[rubylounge]

rubylounge, thanks for your post about Vesper Sparrow, I went to their link on reverbnation and listened to the songs listed there, and was really taken with their music. Clicked on their Amazon link and purchased their cd, wow, got 30 songs with it! I am so loving their music!

Wow, I'll have to go to Amazon and get that cd. I only have 10 of their songs on disc. I like their lyrics too! I'm glad you like their music!

[rubylounge]

thanks for posting this ,I have been trying to remember Maria's last name and band , now to find some of their music what I had from the 80's is lost

You mean Maria McKee from Lone Justice?

[jcfree]

Been playing Vesper Sparrow today and my DH said, "I've never heard these Stevie songs before." Told him it wasn't Stevie and he didn't believe it. He kept saying, " you are kidding me right? This is Stevie and you're just fooling with me." Got to say, after listening many times to the songs, she does sound like a young Stevie, (when Stevie had the higher range.) Even the sound of the songs and music are so like Stevie and FM. Even the guitar riffs in the songs are so like Lindsey B., great music a real good find I would say!

[Artemis]

I always got a kick out of people who deliberately tried to imitate Stevie. The worst is Quarterflash who called themselves the "updated FMac" and completely tried to imitate "Dreams" with their song "Harden My Heart". I was so happy when everything after that flopped and they faded into obscurity. The cheek!

I just youtubed that song and... good lord, what a piece of crap. :laugh: If they were comparing themselves to Fleetwood Mac... well, they certainly had a high opinion of themselves.

[caterwench]

If we can cross the gender barrier.. then.. I've always thought (Grown up) Taylor Hanson actually has a similar sound to Stevie, only, male. Lots of vibrato, some rasp, a slight reed-like quality at times, characteristically nasal... as far as pronunciation - equally hard to understand, emphasis on weird sounds (s's and h's) hah. Except, he sings higher than she does, nowadays. :lol:

Thank you, I've always thought the same thing too.

[WildHearted]

Thank you, I've always thought the same thing too.

I'm glad someone agrees! Now I don't feel so crazy for connecting the two :) :thumbsup:

[caterwench]

Janis Joplin at Monterrey Pop fest 1967. Doing Big Mama Thornton's "Ball and Chain" Moreso the performance, than voice

[mottabam]

In a recent post someone mentioned Maria McKee from Lone Justice had a sound similar to Stevie. Here is a link to a little know band called Vesper Sparrow from Fort Lauderdale, Florida that I have been following since 1988. I have always felt that the lead singer sounded similar to Stevie. My uncle dated the lead singer of Vesper Sparrow and she gave him their demo tape in '88 which I had for years. The tape broke a few years ago so I tracked down the lead singer and she sent me a cd. The song that I feel sounds a lot like Stevie is called "Don't Give Your Love Away" and also "Highway" The songs are in the middle of the page if you want to listen to them.
Link:
http://www.reverbnation.com/vespersparrow

Thanks for posting this. I remember seeing Vesper Sparrow a few times while living in Lauderdale in early 90's. My favorite local band during that time period was Black Janet, Jim Worster and Amy Baxter had great voices.

[Blueletter18]

She isn't that similar to Stevie, except for the raspiness, but Joss Stone has a REALLY unique voice- I especially like her latest album, which Dave Stewart (!) helped produce and cowrote a few songs on. Check these out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXz29XHrycQ&NR=1

This one is funny, but really cool-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Twi2mC-nWfA&list=FLl3sdDxPsFYyLzMbW4mKmrw&index=21&feature=plpp

[Travis]

Thanks for posting about Vesper Sparrow. I am loving "Don't Give Your Love Away." I just purchased it from iTunes.

[Travis]

Tiffany has been saying since the start of her career what a big fan she is of Stevie and it's pretty evident in her early recordings. I think these are 2 great examples - she has the Rock A Little voice going on here.

Hold An Old Friend's Hand

<iframe width="420" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_t_5aYTE7-I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Should've Been Me

simply scroll down and play the sample

http://www.amazon.com/Tiffany/dp/B000VZV6FC/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315150716&sr=301-1

[pryderi]

Definitely check out devonsquare's 'if you could see me now".

[dontlookdown]

Maria McKee and Neko Case are the only 2 singers I can think of that really have distinctive voices on the level of Stevie's.
They do their own thing, and they are probably better songwriters, but their voices really grabbed me the way that Stevie's did when I first heard them.

If any of you haven't ever heard Maria McKee's album's "Maria McKee" and "Life Is Sweet", or Neko Case's "Fox Confessor", I can't recommend them enough.

Also check out Syd Straw's "Surprise" album.

[jrpjr]

The Pierces. imo.

<iframe width="560" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0kFhx27OMdE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

P.S. Lissie=bitch.that is all.

first off..i like it...second..they LOOK like abba!! def a stevie influence...thanks for posting..never heard of them and kinda like em..i see alittle ann/nancy wilson in there too

[WildHearted]

<object width="420" height="345"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PyPUJaFdWvo?version=3&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PyPUJaFdWvo?version=3&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="345" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>

Taylor's the one in white pants with the tambourine, singing lead.

<object width="560" height="345"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wbS07wmUEhc?version=3&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wbS07wmUEhc?version=3&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="345" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>

And now he's the one playing piano.

[mottabam]

first off..i like it...second..they LOOK like abba!! def a stevie influence...thanks for posting..never heard of them and kinda like em..i see alittle ann/nancy wilson in there too
first time hearing them and I really like it. Watched a couple other videos on youtube and I can see some Abba and Stevie influences perhaps. Great harmonies.

[Bryan]

first off..i like it...second..they LOOK like abba!! def a stevie influence...thanks for posting..never heard of them and kinda like em..i see alittle ann/nancy wilson in there too

Yep I see that too,glad you like them,they are one of the few great artists to emerge recently..I hope they continue to pick up interest

[Macfanforever]

I think I mentioned Paulette Carlson from Highway 101 before.She sounds like Stevie and also looks like Stevie.And she also twirls like Stevie.By reading the comments.I see alot of Stevie mentions on them.I love to hear her cover some of Stevie's songs.

<iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/W29U3I9jXi8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LJevW_x5KZI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hGo4Vi7po24" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_uAcP_Pwi6U" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[chiliD]

Before I scrolled through the thread, Paulette Carlson was the first person to come to mind. And, I thought I'd be the first one to mention her...I was pleasantly surprised to see her mentioned a couple of times already :thumbsup:

Candace Night (of Blackmore's Night) sounds quite similar to Stevie (even her fashion sense is very "Stevie-ish")


I never would think that Patti Smith sounded like Stevie, but take a listen to her version of Buddy Holly's "Words Of Love" on the Buddy Holly tribute album called Rave On...I had to listen a couple of times through to make sure it WASN'T Stevie.

[Macfanforever]

Also Country singer Sarah Buxton has a simular Stevie voice.also in her wiki bio mentions Stevie is her idol and encouraged her to pursue music and move to Nashville, Tennessee.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Buxton

<iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/sPDeOBqSfow" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[BombaySapphire3]

Tiffany has been saying since the start of her career what a big fan she is of Stevie and it's pretty evident in her early recordings. I think these are 2 great examples - she has the Rock A Little voice going on here.

Hold An Old Friend's Hand

<iframe width="420" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_t_5aYTE7-I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Should've Been Me

simply scroll down and play the sample

http://www.amazon.com/Tiffany/dp/B000VZV6FC/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315150716&sr=301-1

As I recall even the Billboard review of "Hold An Old Friend's Hand" remarked upon the heavy Stevie influence.

[Travisevian]

Elizabeth(also known as E.G.) Daily reminds me a bit of Stevie.

I always got a kick out of people who deliberately tried to imitate Stevie. The worst is Quarterflash who called themselves the "updated FMac" and completely tried to imitate "Dreams" with their song "Harden My Heart". I was so happy when everything after that flopped and they faded into obscurity. The cheek!

That's a great song but with the possible exception of the string arrangements, it doesn't sound remotely like Fleetwood Mac or Dreams to me. Furthermore, why would Quarterflash compare themselves to Fleetwood Mac? I thought they were a duo.

[bombaysaffires]

Elizabeth(also known as E.G.) Daily reminds me a bit of Stevie.



That's a great song but with the possible exception of the string arrangements, it doesn't sound remotely like Fleetwood Mac or Dreams to me. Furthermore, why would Quarterflash compare themselves to Fleetwood Mac? I thought they were a duo.

Not a duo; a band... though there was a husband and wife in it. I don't think it's a great song or that it sounds like Dreams, but they sure did. They said in an interview back in the day that they saw themselves as an updated FMac and the lead singer tries to imitate Stevie's vocal style on the song.... beats me. I think it's crappy elevator music.

[BombaySapphire3]

Speaking of Quarterflash there was an even more blatant ripoff of Fleetwood Mac put together by later Nicks nemesis/Street Angel producer Glyn Johns called "Lazy Racer"Their first album in 1978 had a modest hit single but did not sell wellJohns put together the band with a female vocalist and sesssion players with the intent of cashing in on the massive fallout from Rumours but they were a very pale imitation .Could be that's why he tried to ruin Street Angel years later?:laugh: