Asymmetric Music

Ladies' turn. For the Bros, go here.

Same rules apply. Pro-love, no pain. Holding off on Motown and Doo Wop.

"You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman," by Aretha Franklin.

Unlike the debate over the best male Soul singer, there's a consensus choice for distaff Soul, Aretha Franklin. Her best slow song is "You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman." I appreciate the reference to natural law and Christian theology on the matter of sexual relations. It also reminds me of a joke from my favorite comedy show, Bienvenidos. The girl asks the guy to "make me a woman." The guy replies with, "OK, iron these shirts." Podcast, above.

Follow up:

Aretha's Best

One of the not-completely-accurate truths in music is that white artists plundered the treasury of black music to create and profit from their own, derivative, popular music forms. In fact, many of the most famous Soul songs were written by whites. Besides "Natural Woman," above, there's "At Last," associated with Etta James, but performed previous to her by Glenn Miller, Nat King Cole, and many others, which makes her ungracious remarks about Beyonce even more ironic. James does have the best, certainly most soulful version.

The Definitive Collection by David Ritz, Etta James

"Gee Whiz," by Carla Thomas.

The Platinum Collection

Some speculate that Whitney Houston's determination to be accepted into the black mainstream led to her disastrous life choices. She never had anything to prove. She was one of the only post-seventies singers to carry on the Soul tradition.

Whitney Houston - The Greatest Hits

"Dedicated to the One I Love," by the Shirelles. No, I don't know what a "shirelle" is except that there's more than one.

The Shirelles - 25 All-Time Greatest Hits

I've always liked, "This Will Be (an everlasting love), by Natalie Cole. Pure joy.

"Natalie Cole - Greatest Hits, Vol. 1"

Peaches and Herb. Sweet reconciliation. The best since Gaye and Terrel. "Reunited."

The Best of Peaches & Herb: Love Is Strange

Not Soul, but "Be My Baby" goes on the list.

Now, here's a woman with the proper attitude. Barbara Stephens with "The Life I Live" and "That's the Way it is With Me."

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The complete Stax volt singles 1958-1968 by Rob Bowman

Holland Dozier Holland wrote the best Supremes and Four Tops songs. They left in the late sixties to form Invictus records where they had some success. Freda Payne was one of their biggest acts. "Deeper and Deeper."

After the Lights Go Down Low and Much More!!!

Barbara Lewis with "Make Me Your Baby." She sings slow over a quicker beat. Good effect.

Hello Stranger: The Best of Barbara Lewis

Before Motown and an independent career, Gladys Knight had this hit on a smaller label. "With Every Beat of My Heart."

Essential Collection

Darlene Love is definitely one of the greatest female singers in popular music. She worked for Phil Spector. "Christmas (baby please come home)." She misses her fella.

Back to Mono (1958-1969) by Mark Ribowsky

Here's a duet by Betty Everett and Jerry Butler: "Let it be Me."

Moon River by Jimmy Reed

Lavern Baker straddles Soul and R&B. Here, she breathes a Soul into "Fly me to the Moon."

Finally, a cover of an Otis Redding song. One gets the feeling that the song could be sarcastic. Irma Thomas, "Good to Me." You're going to want this Chess box if you're any kind of R&B fan.

The Chess Story: 1947-1975

Tags: best female soul singers, best female soul songs, best r and b singers, famous soul songs, r&b songs