Dictionary.com defines "diva" as "a distinguished female singer; prima donna."
I've been on a Streisand kick recently. I'd say she's an exemplar of the first definition; if you define "prima donna" as a perfectionist in the studio, by all I've read that's an accurate description too. On the other hand, if you've ever heard recordings of her live concerts, you'll know she lays her voice on the line and doesn't worry a lot about reproducing the original versions of her songs note-for-note (and I've rarely heard stage patter more self-deprecating than Barbra's).
Who else fits the definition? Did Beverly Sills qualify? How about Beyoncé, Pink or Jewel? Grace Slick? Linda Ronstadt? Gloria Estefan?
I'd argue Cher, Madonna and Diana Ross fit both halves of the definition, as does Whitney Houston. How about jazz artists like Norah Jones, Diana Krall and Joni Mitchell? Country stars Faith Hill and Carrie Underwood? Do folkies like Joan Baez and Judy Collins meet the criteria?
What's diva-hood?
Posted by Linkmeister at May 6, 2009 09:40 AM | TrackBackAngela Gheorghiu (probably spelled wrong)
Dusty Springfield (insisted on production control when very few muscians, let alone female musicians produced their own work)
Kathleen Battle (the joke is that she live up to her name, but her voice is heavenly)
Linda Ronstadt (wonderful singer in a variety of styles, and worked for months to get "Canciones de mi Padre" just right)
My immediate thoughts, for what they're worth.
I suspect that female singers in country music have a lot more pressure to be "nice" and not be perfectionists or "prima donnas." I've heard a lot of stories about difficult male country singers, but can't think of any about a female singer offhand.
Posted by: Juli Thompson at May 6, 2009 12:40 PMStreisand is great. Norah Jones for sure. And I'm a big fan of Jane Olivor. I think she's worthy of the title.
Cas
Posted by: cassie-b at May 9, 2009 09:50 AM