Top Ten Female Vocalists – #5 – Joan Osborne
Joan Osborne is a one-hit wonder whose one hit is actually the worst thing on her debut album. The hit, of course, was ‘One of Us,’ that odd song that speculated about God’s telephone habits.
The album was 1995’s Relish, a fantastic, sexy, bluesy collection that showcased Osborne’s impressive songwriting talents and her unique voice.
I was surprised to learn that Osborne has released eight albums since Relish, including a greatest hits collection and a Christmas record. How do you put out a Greatest Hits when you’ve had only one hit?!
Those albums also include a couple of covers records, lending support to the idea that Osborne’s biggest asset is her huskily sensual voice. I love the thought of hearing her dig into songs by the likes of Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding and Jimi Hendrix.
But my only exposure to Osborne remains the truly special Relish. I’ve spotlighted ‘Pensacola‘ on the blog already and that one is probably my favorite. But opening track ‘St. Teresa’ is a very close second, really setting the table for the banquet to come.
When I make my money, got to get my dime
She down with her baby, wind is full of trash
She bold as the street light, dark and sweet as hash
Way down in the hollow, leavin’ so soon
Oh, St. Teresa, higher than the moon
Reach down for the sweet stuff, when she looks at me
I know any man sees you like I see
Follow down the side street movin’ single file
She say…
That’s where I’ll hold you, sleeping like a child
Way down in the hollow, leavin’ so soon
Oh, St. Teresa, higher than the moon
Just what I’ve been needin’, feel it rise in me
She say…
Every stone a story, like a rosary
Corner St. Teresa, just a little crime
When I make my money, got to get my dime
Way down in the hollow, leavin’ so soon
Oh, St. Teresa, higher than the moon
You called up in the sky
You called up in the clouds
Is there something you forgot to tell me…
Tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me
Show me my Teresa, feel it rise in me
Every stone a story, like a rosary
Meet Me In Montauk 
You know, I wonder if this shouldn’t be a list of 10 voices you like a lot when you hear them? I know I’d have a much easier time compiling that list. Somehow it feels disingenuous to call a voice a favorite when you have only ever been exposed (by choice, as you’ve never sought to hear more) 1 of 8 albums.
The same is true with many of the other voices we’ve been discussing. Debating whether the desire to listen to the artist more than we do suggests that we can’t really be all that impressed by the voice if we’ve never gone out of our way to buy more albums, listen more often….
Regardless, I very much like today’s song – and Osborne’s voice as she sings it. That said, I imagine there are many other voices out there that I would like just as much if I were to hear them on a SOTD blog. Could I call any of those my favorites? I don’t think so.
I’ve tried to be as unscientific as possible when compiling these lists… I write down the first 10-15 great voices I think of, the women/men I feel have to be on this list. Then I dig around a little more to see if there’s anybody I forgot. Then winnow the list down to ten.
My feeling is that the ones that leap immediately to mind are the ones whose voices have made the most impact on me, whether on one album or 20.
Good song, and nice voice, but nothing that strikes me as top 10 best vocals material.