Madonna I remember back 11 years ago to when I was a kid. Papa Don't Preach was on the radio all the time. I went out and bought my very first cassette...Madonna's True Blue. Well, one album led to another, and I know have quite a collection of tapes, CDs and records (yes, vinyl!). The majority of them are by Madonna, my collection could not be complete without them. So many times, I would pop one of her tapes into my walkman and just drift off to sleep. You'll See is my favorite song and Like A Prayer is my favorite video. Madonna is probably one of the most consistent artists out there, and probably the most famous female artist.

Alanis Morissette When You Oughta Know was first released I had no idea who sang the song, I just knew that I loved it. I was watching videos one day and saw Alanis Morissette's name as the artist...a few minutes later it clicked and I jumped up and said "Look! It's little Alanis!". No one was home at the time, so no one laughed at me. I was amazed, Alanis grew up so much from being a pop princess, to a great alternative artist. Alanis' album is the highest selling album by a female artist, Mariah Carey had the honor before. Every song that Alanis released off the album did well, Ironic and You Learn probably did the best. My favorite is You Oughta Know, not because it's vindictive or even bitter, because of the song's honesty. I was happy to see her perform it at the Grammy's in 1996, she really portrayed the song as sad as it is...instead of making it seem bitter. I have to say that the videos (Live and album version) for You Learn are my two favorites, I can't decide between the two. Looking back to her first two albums, this really shows that she could probably sing anything and it would sound great! Rumor has it, Alanis is not in any big hurry to release her next album, so maybe it will be out next spring?

Chantal Kreviazuk Unfortunatly, I don't have a picture of Chantal to put up. I first heard her music less than a year ago, I confused this song with Wendy Lands' Little Sins (Wendy is an incredible artist as well, but I don't know much about her other than she is Canadian). Chantal is also a Canadian artist, it's incredible how much talent is coming from this country in the past few years. Believer, Chantal's second single, just got me more hooked on her music, then Wayne was released, it quickly became my favorite. I haven't seen any of her videos, just a clip of God Made Me. Another great thing about her, like most of my favorite artists, she writes her songs herself. Like Tori Amos she is an incredible pianist.

Fiona Apple I bought Fiona Apple's CD Tidal about six months ago. I loved the song Sleep To Dream right away...it was the song that I had heard on the radio. One day I popped the CD into my computer and discovered a multimedia section! I was rather impressed and very excited because I saw the one on Sarah McLachlan's Building A Mystery. Fiona's is not as impressive, I'm sure it's because of lack of space on the disc. The songs she wrote are very impressive, and her vocals are great too. I soon began to love the song Criminal, and then Shadowboxer. Today I realized that I can really identify with the song Sullen Girl. Fiona is also an excellent pianist, I am looking forward to the albums she will release in the future. One thing I can say about this girl, she has the guts to be honest. At the MVA's while accpeting her award, she told everyone to be themselves as well as mentioning about how the music industry isn't as great as they make it out to be. I just watched this on tv and I guess I have to agree with her about being your own person.

Amanda Marshall

I have no picture of Amanda right now, hopefully I will be able to get one. Yet another Canadian artist who deserves credit for her wondeful voice. I first heard of her when I saw the video for Let It Rain. I was hooked instantly. After I heard Birmingham, I had to get out and buy the CD. I immediatly loved the song Dark Horse, which has become a favorite of Elton John. Since the release of Birmingham, Fall From Grace, Beautiful Goodbye, Dark Horse, Sittin' On Top Of The World and Trust Me Babe (This is Love) have been released from the same album. I can't wait to hear her next album when it comes out, this is one girl with a ton of talent.

Holly McNarland

Again, I have no pic for the artist. Holly McNarland is also Canadian. When I first heard her, I got all excited because I thought Alanis Morissette had released her second album and this would be the first single. No dice...it was Holly's song Numb. The rest of the CD is really good too, and I have to say the video for Numb is pretty interesting. She also has this really cool tattoo on her right arm. I am continually amazed at all the talent that Canada has pumped out in the past few years, I can't wait to see which artist comes up with the best follow up album.

Wendy Lands

I also mistook this artist for Alanis Morissette, so did the radio station here. Once I could tell Wendy's voice from Alanis', I had no trouble picking out her songs when they were released. I absolutly adored the song Little Sins, my mother just told me that like "all the songs with the bad words and stuff". So Half the artists I like appear like they are bitches...I truly believe they are just being honest. Wendy's next two songs, Like Oxygen and Angels And Ordinary Men were just as great if not better than Little Sins, and they disproved what mom said. Angels And Ordinary men is a beautiful song...probably the best on the album, though I still love Little Sins and Like Oxygen.

Joan Osborne

She's so blasphemous!! That's what many people believe when they hear the song One Of Us. Not so, Joan said in an interview with Much Music that the song was not intended to be blasphemous in any way shape or form. The rest of the album, Relish, is great! Joan's voice reaches so many different levels, making each of her songs really unique. Right Hand Man sounds nothing like St. Theresa or Spiderwebs. I recently bought the Early Recording CD and I am really happy with it. Joan has a fantastic voice when she is live. Yet another artist that I can't wait for the next album to come out.

Liz Phair

I don't know much about Liz Phair. I first saw her when she was at the Grammy's and was up against Alanis Morissette and Joan Osborne...Alanis won, but I heard a clip of a song that I still can't seem figure out. I bought the album Whip-Smart after seeing the video for Supernova. The song Supernova is my favorite off the album. Liz is currently working on her thrid album which will be titles Whitechocolatespaceegg.

If you have any suggestions on who I should take a listen too, please let me know at: jenier@hotmail.com

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