Countdown: Top 5 Contemporary Contraltos

"Alto" should have read Contralto

The operatic contralto range usually spans from an F3 to a G5 but amazingly our lovely pop Divas can do better than that, with many of them demonstrating the ability to reach at least 4 notes below the lowest requirement. Apart from the ability to reach an F3, contralto voices have other characteristics usually associated with them- though they are not always present- such as a smoky timbre, a lower access point to the chest register and a heavier weight to the voice. Below is a list of my 5 favourite contralto range capable Divas.

Note: Of course in reality comparing a pop singer to an opera singer is like comparing an apple to an orange so any opera aficionados don't bite my head off please...I need it for eating.

5) Mariah Carey: A singer who is associated more with the extreme highs of her voice rather than the lows its capable of. Her version of Stevie Wonders' You and I has Mariah demonstrating her contralto chops admirably, but she gains a lower place on my chart because some of the lowest notes she hits are produced by improper technique.

4) Lalah Hathaway: Has a weighty, thick contralto voice, that though heavy, is still is able to sing beautiful and complex melisma.

3) Cher: I've said it before and I'll say it again, Cher is a vocalist that is constantly overlooked. Her voice has a clarity that the other contraltos on this list do not and her chest register starts relatively low but, despite its weight, is still capable of hitting the fifth octave.

2)Sarah Vaughn: Her contralto range was warmer and sweeter than any of the other singers on the list. Her voice also had a beautiful smoothness and richness along with an operatic quality.

1)Toni Braxton: Her voice has "contralto" written all over it, and produces the tone, timbre and colour most people would straightaway associate with the lowest female vocal range. Out of all the singers on the list Toni's is the one that sounds best, and most comfortable, in the lower ranges of the voice .

Let me know of your favourite contraltos in the comments below!

Watch the Anita Baker Tribute Medley at the 2010 Soul Train Awards

Tamia at the Soul Train
awards

THE 2010 Soul Train awards took place on the weekend and I had to post this video of a tribute to Anita Baker sung by a group of amazingly talented divas. The full list of divas who performed in the  medley  and the time they entered the stage were:

-Chrisette Michele (0.00)
-Tamia (1.23)
-Faith Evans (3.36)
-Rachelle ferrel (5.30)
-Lalah Hathaway (7.25)
-Goapele  (9.20)
-Dionne Farris (9.20)


 Not knowing any of the songs that were sung in the medley I was expecting to lose interest along the way, but the quality of the singers was so marked that I  had a second and third listen to truly soak in the talent on display.

These ladies are singers in the truest sense of the word, reminding us all that anyone can learn to sing but some people are born to do it.


Anita Baker Medley Singers and  reviews:

Faith Evans singing 2010

Chrisette Michele: Sang in such a way that it was impressive without  the use of  any  vocal hysterics. Not something we see often enough.
Tamia: An underrated singer that displayed a smooth tone and a vocal delivery that was natural and easy.
Faith Evans: The soul in this woman's voice is incredible. Unfortunately, maybe due to the material she sings, its something that we don't see enough of. Live is where she shines.
Rachelle ferrel: a somewhat subdued performance, perhaps because it was a duet. Her technique is so unique and individual.
Lalah Hathaway: Blown away by her tone and the unusual notes she chose  in her staccato notes. Even had  Anita Baker on her feet.
Goapele and Dionne Farris: This is how a duet should sound, the voices complemented each other brilliantly.

Lalah Hathaway at Soul Train 2010

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