Highway 101 was the first group I was ever obsessed with. I loved Paulette Carlson's voice. "Whiskey If You Were A Woman" was one of the first songs I sang at karaoke. That song was on their first album, but this is the album that I truly loved. I had this on cassette and I listened to it so much, all of the writing wore off and I ended up needing to replace the tape.
Favorites:
"Feed This Fire"
"Desperate Road"
"All The Reasons Why"
I loved and still love this album! Obviously "Black Velvet" is what got me to listen to it, but it was never my favorite song on the album. I loved her raspy voice and the rock sound of the music. Much different than the other things I was listening to at that time. I wanted to be as bad ass as she sounded.
Favorites:
I don't even think I can narrow this down. There isn't one bad song on here.
When I was little, this album was my jam! I remember singing "Hold On" while swinging on the playground. Those poor kids who I forced to listen to me. Haha. I loved the harmonies on this album and I just remember this album gave me a weird feeling. Peaceful. Made my stomach feel funny. I don't really know how to explain it, but I'm sure anyone who has been touched by music will know the feeling I'm talking about.
Favorites:
"Impulsive"
"Over and Over"
"The Dream Is Still Alive" *(This is the one that made my stomach feel funny.)
This is the woman who taught me how to sing. I learned control and expanded my range from singing along with her every single day. (My poor parents.) Her voice is just incredible and I loved all of her songs. I also loved that she wrote and produced all of her own material, which was rare at that time. This album shaped me musically. I love big, strong voices that are full of emotion and she started that for me.
Favorites:
"Someday"
"Alone In Love"
"You Need Me"
"Prisoner"
I was so in love with these voices! Stacy Ferguson was my favorite and I always tried to sound like her. I loved her power and feeling. This is another group that helped me expand my range. They weren't easy to sing along with, but damn it, I didn't stop! (Again, sorry mom and dad.)
Favorites:
"Supernatural"
"I Won't Play The Fool"
"My Tambourine"
"Love Will Wait"
I remember hearing "I Can Love You Better" for the first time. I immediately told my dad that I needed to go get that album, so he took me to the store. As soon as it was in my hands, I was thrilled. I loved everything about this. Natalie's voice is so unique and, again, powerful. This was like Highway 101, but amped way the hell up.
Favorites:
"I Can Love You Better"
"You Were Mine"
"Let 'Er Rip"
"Once You've Loved Somebody"
"Am I The Only One (Who's Ever Felt This Way)"
I remember seeing Beth Hart on Star Search. My family watched it together all the time and when this chick took the stage, we all froze. Such a unique voice and stage presence. We never forgot about her and waited for something from her to pop up. Many years later, this album surfaced. I was drawn to the roughness and rawness of her voice. She made me realize it's ok to scream a little, because that's real emotion in someone's voice.
Favorites:
"Just A Little Hole"
"Delicious Surprise"
"Get Your Shit Together"
This is the first CD that I ever had to replace because I listened to it so much. It's tough to wear a CD out, so that's saying something. This was on repeat for a very, very long time. Again, power, control and emotion in this woman's voice. I watched her on American Idol every single week and I cried every single time she sang. It was a joke with my family. I couldn't help it. This woman makes me feel. That voice is amazing.
Favorites:
"Since U Been Gone"
"Gone"
"You Found Me"
"Hear Me"
Amy Lee taught me how to use my voice differently. This was a harder style of music but was blended with her operatic vocals. She's still tough for me to sing along with sometimes. The lyrics were always good, but a little harder for me to relate to. I was more drawn to her voice and technique than I was to the lyrics.
Favorites:
"Everybody's Fool"
"Taking Over Me"
"My Last Breath"
Now, you knew there'd be a Christina album on here. This album will always be close to my heart. When this came out, it was perfect timing. I felt like this was written for me and said a lot of the things I needed to say. The quote in my high school yearbook came from a song on this album. I remember listening to this album and just crying because it felt like a release for me. We all know how I feel about Christina and this is really where that obsession started. I loved her debut album too, but this one was so much more personal for me. It showcased her voice and her writing skills. This is another one that was on repeat and I sang it over and over again.
Favorites:
"Walk Away"
"Fighter"
"Impossible"
"Cruz"
"Soar"
"Get Mine, Get Yours"
"The Voice Within"
"Keep On Singin' My Song"
