Best female vocals on CD

Patricia Barber is the BEST..her "Modern Cool" & "Cafe Blue" are just awesome. Other favorites are Rickie Lee Jones, Linda Perry, Sade..

How could I have forgotten..Tracy Thorn..

Give Alison Krause a listen. Any of her last 3 disc are very well done.

Celia Cruz, the "Queen of Latin Music". She could sing 'A capella' with a full Latin orchestra behind her during her youth. Pretty incredible feat, isn't it? I don't think any other female singers get close to her prowess at the genre, with the exception of Yolanda Rivera of "La Sonora Ponceña" and India, which happens to be her student...

I agree with the Allison Krauss fans above -- her voice is simply incredible. As my dark horse pick, I would nominate Bonnie Raitt. Although she may not have the purest voice, she has to be one of the most distinctive female singers out there.

For jazz fans, I would strongly second Rayhall's recommendation of Dee Dee Bridgewater -- Live at Yoshi's. And if you like Bridgewater, try Mary Stallings, Live at the Village Vanguard. However, there's still no one more powerful than Billie Holiday.