Duelling Divas: "Over the Rainbow" Which Diva sang it best?

It's hard to believe that Over the Rainbow, the song that came to be the signature tune for the classic musical that was the Wizard of Oz, was almost omitted from the film after the chief executive at MGM and the film producer felt that it "slowed down the picture". Luckily the song was reinstated and went on to win the hearts of audiences from the moment it was released, eventually being voted the song of the 20th Century.

Judy Garland, at the age of 16, was the original vocalist of Over the Rainbow. Her sweet, rounded, thick contralto voice, with its perfect phrasing and strict adherence to the melody gave the world a master class in effective singing, belying her youthful years. Until this day her rendition has never been matched for its purity or ability to communicate the innocent, almost naive, sentiments of desire and hope the lyrics speak on.

Single Review: Melody Thornton "Sweet Vendetta"

Instead of going down the Euro-dance, synth-pop route that everyone seems to be veering down, ex-Pussy Cat Doll Melody Thornton has decided to take a different, retro, route- perhaps partly inspired by the sound and success of Adele's Rolling In The Deep- with her first solo release Sweet Vendetta. 

Jordin Sparks- Vocal Profile/ Range

Jordin Sparks

Vocal Type: Mezzo-Soprano
Vocal Range: 2 Octaves 6 notes and a semitone  Eb3-C#6
Whistle Register: No
Vocal Pluses: Comfortable in all parts of the voice with the tone remaining clear and pure throughout. Strong chest voice that can be delivered with or without a thin vibrato.
Vocal Negatives: Though the voice is impressive as a whole, it lacks an individual sound or style that makes it easily identifiable.

Single Review: Sugababes "Freedom"

After the commercial and critical disaster that was 2010's album release Sweet 7, the Sugababes are back with new single, Freedom. Will this be the release that finally helps shift public focus from the joke that is their revolving door membership back to it being about their music again?

Nelly Furtado- Vocal Profile/ Range

Nelly Furtado

Vocal Type:  Mezzo-Soprano
Vocal Range: 2 Octaves 7 notes  D3-C6
Whistle Register: No
Vocal Pluses: Strong, full low to mid range with a piercing, clear chest register. Her voice- whether singing low, mid or high- sounds well supported and achieved via good technique, meaning there is little to no straining.
Vocal Negatives:  Voice has a nasally tone and chest notes can sound stringy.

Fantasia Barrino- Vocal Profile/ Range

Fantasia

Vocal Type: Mezzo- Soprano
Vocal Range: 2 Octaves 6 notes and a semitone C3-Bb5
Whistle Register: No
Vocal Pluses: Voice has a rasp that gives it a distinct, husky sound. She has great control, and understanding of her voice which allows her to sing in the extremes of her voice- both high and low- with apparent ease.
Vocal Negatives: At times her voice is placed in the throat, causing it to sound coarse and pushed. The raspiness of her voice is also somewhat of an acquired taste.

Countdown: Top 5 Contemporary Contraltos

Note: "Alto" should read "Contralto"

The operatic contralto range usually spans from an F3 to a G5 but amazingly our lovely pop Divas can do better than that, with many of them demonstrating the ability to reach at least 4 notes below the lowest requirement.

Apart from the ability to reach an F3, contralto voices have other characteristics usually associated with them- though they are not always present- such as a smoky timbre, a lower access point to the chest register and a heavier weight to the voice. So celebrate this rare vocal type, below is a list of my 5 favourite contralto range capable Divas.

Note: Of course, in reality, comparing a pop singer to an opera singer is like comparing an apple to an orange so any opera aficionados don't bite my head off please...I need it for living.