Nobody's mentioned Mavis Staples of the Staple Singers. True, she's supposed to be a gospel singer, but anyone who listens to her moaning about heavan and her ability to take you 'there', will understand immediately how easy it was for Ray Charles to turn gospel into the 'devil's music.' Gospel can be sexy! Sweet Honey in the Rock is another sexy female band.
also, I'm surprised that no one's mentioned Marilyn Monroe, the woman so extrordinary that unlike anyone mention on this board so far as uniquely carved a place for herself in the male psyche as THE sex symbol of the 20th century. Listen to her singing, "I want to be loved by you", "kiss" and "Do it again." Also Gillian Welch singing 'Miss Ohio' and Eartha Kitt singing, 'I want to be Evil."
Just a few of the greats.
