around the world in twenty female singer-songwriters

After four years our doves have decided that the dovecote does suit them after all.

When we no longer lie on our friends’ bedroom floors on a wet Saturday afternoon, mining their tape and record collections for interesting stuff, how do we find new things to which to listen? I used to sneer at people who bought compilations for relying on someone else’s taste to choose their music. Now I recognise the potential of a collection of artists to showcase someone truly outstanding. It takes an extraordinary song sung by a talented singer to stand out from a compilation. The ‘Birds of Paradise’ collection of 18 NZ female artists has just set me off down a few more enticing aural avenues. I’m having a run on listening to women vocalists from around the globe – they write their own songs, are often maudlin and frequently breathy. Call it a ‘playlist’ if you must. Pop, country, electronica or ‘alternative’. To what or whom I’m tempted to ask?

Here’s what you’d find if you were to lie on my bedroom floor on a Saturday afternoon at the moment:

1 Regina Spektor ‘Far’ (Russia)
2 Beth Orton ‘Comfort of strangers’ (US)
3 Jewel ’0304′ (US)
4 Macy Gray ‘How life is’ (US)
5 Julia Deans ‘Modern fables’ (NZ)
6 Avril Lavigne ‘Goodbye lullaby’ (Canada)
7 Duffy ‘Rockferry’ (Wales)
8 Missy Higgins ‘The sound of white’ (Australia)
9 Sarah Blasko ‘What the sea wants the sea will have’ (Australia)
10 K T Tunstall ‘Eye to the telescope’ (Scotland)
11 Sia ‘Colour the small one’ (Australia)
12 Kasey Chambers ‘Barricades and brickwalls’ (Australia)
13 Gin Wigmore ‘Holy smoke’ (NZ)
14 Hollie Smith ‘Long player’ (NZ)
15 Marketa Irglova (as one half of the Swell Season) ‘Strict Joy’ (Czech Republic)
16 Corinne Bailey Rae ‘The sea’ (England)
17 Joan Armatrading ‘This charming life’ (England)
18 Norah Jones ‘Feels like home’ (US)
19 Julia Stone ‘The Memory Machine’ (Australia)
20 Martha Wainright ‘Martha Wainwright’ (Canada)

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