Best Female Belters — Page 3

Bebe has a very chesty, deep, strong voice, but belt... not so much. There's a difference between a strong voice and belting. Belting is a controlled yell. As much as I adore the woman, I don't know if I'd add Bebe to my list of belters.

Also, being a HIGH belter doesn't make you the 'best belter.' Sure, high belters can be fun, but a traditional big, chesty belt can blow you out of your chair.

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Sutton, Sutton, Sutton, and Sutton are also the best of the best.

Sutton Foster
Bernadette Peters
Louise Pitre
Lauren Kennedy
Bebe Neuwirth
Heather Headley
Sherie Rene Scott
Patti Lupone
and
I think that Chita Rivera can be considered a belter....and a damn good one!

thats what i thought....i only doubted it because i hadnt seen anyone mention her yet.

The two Kerrys -- O'Malley and Butler -- for sure. Kerry Butler's real name is actually Kerry Belter. She's just incredible. She's the reason I listen to "You Can't Stop the Beat" so much. As for the great O'Malley...holy smokes. Her "Maybe They're Magic" leaves me shaking my head in awe each time.

Others...Bernadette, Marin Mazzie, Ruthie Henshall, Sutton (duh).

Lea Salonga
Ruthie Henshall
Sutton Foster

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Here is my list in no odder

Sutton Foster
Kerry Butler (she is such a tiny person everytime she opens her mouth is blows me away)
Mary Bond Davis
Idina Menzel

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The Best singer in the whole wide world....

Yes I am sure you know this and I am sure you are sick of me "gushing" but as Dollypop loves the fabulous Carol (who by the way was absolutely wonderful in the original TMM) I love my Linda Eder.

When she sings "Vienna" I get goose pimplies every time.

Well, obviously Mandy Gonzales (hope she has better luck with employment next time)
Sherie Scott
Orfeh (her turn as Joplin was freakish)
Heather Headly (no one will ever be able to sing "Easy" after her)
Staci Francis
Lillias White
Patti Lupone
La Merman
Bernadette Peters
Sara Ramirez (yes, I managed to catch the short lived and grossly underrated Fascinating Rhythm)

You young folks need to run out and get cd's that feature Dolores Grey, Karen Morrow and the inestimable Susan Johnson. Not only could they belt (without any amplification whatsoever), they were incredibly pleasing to listen to. There was no shrieking, just big, booming voices and smooth as silk.

I'm not a fan of the belting that is so prevelant today. I don't actually blame any of the performers, just the times they're performing in. Because everything is so rock/pop-heavy, the sound is far more strident. Hell, I even find Michelle Lee's voice thrilling and pleasant.

My boyfriend was in college with Idina Menzel. He saw her do the TONIGHT scene from WSS. He said her soprano was glorious. It's a shame that all she does now is belt (although very well).

One of the reasons I wish Audra would belt more is because she has the heavier sound of the belter's from days gone by.

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robbiej! You changed your picture! I think I shall now fall over and pass out from shock!

My Belter choices:

Linda Eder
Mary Bond Davis
Audra McDonald (when she belts)
Bernadette Peters
Kerry Butler
Heather Headley
Alice Ripley
Betty Buckley

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