Best female vocals on CD

Bwhite, with all due respect, NOBODY makes Aretha sound like she's got a sore throat. To put Mariah(?) and Celine(???????) in the same sentence with Aretha; well, I don't know what to say. Have you heard much of Aretha's work; specially pre-'90's? Would be glad to offer recommendations. By the way, vocal range means squat as far as artistry goes; although Aretha has it. Ever notice how limited Sinatra's range was? Anyway, none of these are my favorite vocalists. Another time. Cheers.

Bwhite, I don't know what came over me. I am not usually this sarcastic nor "snippy". I apologize. The power of music I suppose. Your post mentions one of my favorite singers (Aretha) and two of my least favorite (Mariah and Celine) Celine?? Argh!! To see Aretha compared to those two just got the best of me. Anyway, I will check out Rachelle Ferrell; thanks for the tip.

Stereokarter, while I agree that the distinction between technical prowess and the quality of the music being sung is an important one, this thread is about RECOMMENDATIONS of great (best) female vocals on CD. To me, it's pointless to recommend a recording by someone with great "chops" if I can't stand listening to it; wether it be because the music sucks or as in this case, because the singing lacks any semblence of soul. I can't claim to, nor want to, be able to explain why Celine's singing leaves me cold at best and at worst annoyed. It just does. That is why I can't recommend her records. Barbara Streisand sings similar material and is IMO much more fun to listen to; she is also every bit if not more the accomplished technician. While I admire your willingness to defend someone being criticized, I am a bit perplexed by your taste for Nina Simone. She is in my book, a very different kind of singer from Celine; very soulful if not as good a technician. I'd rather listen to her anytime. Cheers.

Best (favorite) fvocd: JAZZ : Shirley Horne With Strings "Here's To Life". Amazing CD. Talk about creating a mood. Incredibly romantic and soulfull singing beginning to end. The CD is best listened to in it's entirety; each track better than the previous. Very tasty piano playing by Ms. Horne also. Runnerup: Sarah Vaughn "Live From Japan" CLASSICAL: Kathleen Battle "Schubert Lieder" w/James Levine. The great Karl Leister on clarinet a bonus. Glorious singing. Runner up: Victoria de Los Angeles "Songs of Spain".POP: Janis Joplin "Big Brother and The Holding Company". Scary. Runner up: Joni Mitchell "Court and Spark" Cheers.