Is Stevie responsible for the greatest songs by a female artist of all time?

[Zanobbi]

Originally Posted by Zanobbi

Joni Mitchell is not only the best female musician of all time: she’s one of the three best contemporary musicians, male or female...

Mitchell is not one of the three best contemporary musicians, male or female... She is simply the best.
But Stevie is the only one making me travel to the other side of the world for a concert

[bethelblues]

Originally Posted by He's So Unusual

Whitney Houston died a few years ago, so of course she's going to fade away somewhat. I wouldn't really say Celine Dion is fading away. Yes, her last album didn't sell in huge quantities, but it reached the top 10 in most countries around the world. Her two Las Vegas residencies have been huge draws and her world tour in 2008/2009 was a major success grossing over $280m worldwide.

Stevie can still pack out big arenas as part of Fleetwood Mac, but her solo arena tours have been patchy ever since The Wild Heart. I once read through the attendance numbers for all of her concert tours since 1983, and none of them were complete sellouts. In fact, each tour had quite a few arena shows that were less than half full. Her attendance numbers don't come anywhere near those of Tina Turner, an artist who can still sell out major stadiums around the world. Stevie does far better in smaller venues as proven by the fact her shows in venues that fit between 5,000 and 8,000 people usually sell out. She's lucky to have had Fleetwood Mac to fall back on whenever her solo career has been in a slump because if she hadn't she'd probably be performing in theatres.

As for Stevie's songwriting talents, she's written some of the most enduring and popular rock songs of the last 40 years, certainly more than other female rock singers like Pat Benatar, Grace Slick, Carly Simon and Patti Smith.

Great points on solo audiences. Fleetwood Mac needs Stevie and Stevie needs Fleetwood Mac. Tina Turner had a magnetism that was truly unparalleled. She's one of the greatest entertainers/performers/singers of all time and a survivor. People were there as much for her story as they are for her. But Tina was never a songwriter, and she wasn't going as consistently as Stevie past age 60, so audiences never waned. She also didn't have too many new albums and never really changed up her set...like Stevie (interestingly), Turner's rare acoustic performances are quite extraordinary. Stevie has probably eclipsed her contemporaries. The classic songs are there, the great songs countless. I think if critics and wider audiences knew Storms and Beautiful Child and how they weren't "witchy" songs it could only be a good thing. Maybe if Stevie played them more it could've helped. The Dance concert for the reunion it was, probably could've benefited with some Tusk songs, anything not to reduce Stevie and the band to one great album.

[Jondalar]

I would just like to add Roseanne Cash, Bjork and Tracy Chapman to this thread.

[Macfanforever]

Yes but She's very underrated as we know.

Most of the classic artists are great writers.Especially the true country artists.

I cant comment on the current artists since I dont listen to them.

[Macfanforever]

Originally Posted by Jondalar

I would just like to add Roseanne Cash, Bjork and Tracy Chapman to this thread.

I love Roseanne along with her father Johnny and mother June and Carlene Carter .True country music.

[Jondalar]

Originally Posted by Macfanforever

I love Roseanne along with her father Johnny and mother June and Carlene Carter .True country music.

Roseanne's new album is excellent. This is my favorite cut.

[bethelblues]

Joni Mitchell may be a great writer and musician, Dolly Parton too...but they never had a voice and captivating persona like Stevie's.

[Jondalar]

Originally Posted by bethelblues

Joni Mitchell may be a great writer and musician, Dolly Parton too...but they never had a voice and captivating persona like Stevie's.

CAN THEY DO THIS?

[Jondalar]

[Macfanforever]

Originally Posted by Jondalar

Yes I love them.They are true country music artist.

Not like todays so called fake manufactured country music.

I dont understand why Stevie's After the Glitter Fades did not click in 1982 and be a hit..

I was so happy that L&L got some country radio airplay then.

[Autumn Ocean]

I think Stevie is the artist that people take to heart. One thing I've noticed is that people say to me "I'm not a fan but I love her song (insert choice here)." There is something in her music that cuts through and makes a really deep connection.

[WildHearted]

When I think of great female songwriters/singers/musicians I think of:

Dolly Parton
Stevie Nicks
Carole King
Joni Mitchell
Tracy Chapman

And that's pretty much where my list ends. I don't think they're comparable to one another - they all bring something different to the table musically/lyrically/vocally - so trying to see which them is "better" is, well, dumb.

[michelej1]

Maybe she's not a "great" but Reba McEntire wrote a lot of her own songs early in her career and they were pretty good. I am sorry that she seemed to stop writing her own stuff for decades. I would like to see where that would have gone. I guess she was more focused on the "single" than the expression.

Michele

[seeker007nmss]

Kate Bush
Tori Amos
Florance Welch

Are in there somewhere

[DauphineMarie]

Originally Posted by seeker007nmss

Kate Bush
Tori Amos
Florance Welch

Are in there somewhere

Thank you for mentioning Florence Welch! I think she is truly the greatest young songwriter right now. I just can't wait for her new album.