exceptional voices of female singers (non-classical)


What I'm talking about here is what critics of classical singing refer to as "the instrument": the exceptional beauty or uniqueness of the timbre of the voice qua voice.  For the moment, put aside preferences w.r.t. repertoire, interpretation, performance, style, delivery, etc., and just consider the *sound* of the voice.  We're *not* talking about favorite female artists here, because that kind of preference is based on a whole amalgam of factors.

I suspect some of the top figures in the category I've tried to define often aren't very popular among audiophiles, because of those many other factors.

My first three nominations: Barbra Streisand, Linda Ronstadt, Eva Cassidy.

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Apparently none of you have heard Tierney Sutton, a very classy jazz singer with incredible backup musicians. She recently did an album of classic Joni Mitchell songs with Mark Summer and Turtle Island String Quartet “After Blue “. Give her a listen!

I'll check out Judith Durham All, because I trust you, and I certainly agree with Connie Francis, she's a natural.

I would like to add Mary Fahl of October Project. A beautifully pure but smoky voice. I really don't know of another voice like hers. 

Thanks very much, John (Roxy54). Here are some videos of Judith Durham with The Seekers, which provide about as good an indication of the quality of her voice as one is likely to find in a YouTube video of a 1960s recording:

"The Carnival Is Over" (composed for them by Tom Springfield, Dusty’s brother, who wrote a lot of their hits):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5G1OkFLQPY

"Someday, One Day" (composed for them by Paul Simon):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiIqhY5-SKY

"Love Is Kind, Love Is Wine" (composed by Bruce Woodley, the guitarist on Judith's right):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VAAMueQQYk

Best regards,
-- Al