BEST FEMALE VOCAL EVER

Big Mama Thorton

As with everything in audio, there is no best.  It's all subjective.

And for those who heed @jsauterr's excellent recommendation, then give Ruth Brown and Lavern Baker a listen. For a modern, white version (but not "white" sounding) of old school R & B singing, try Lou Ann Barton. Her Old Enough album, produced by the great Jerry Wexler (Aretha, Ray Charles, Solomon Burke, Wilson Pickett, Dusty Springfield, Dylan, hundreds of others) and Glenn Frey, is fanf*ckingtastic! She tours with Jimmie Vaughan.

Billie Holiday
Patsy Cline
Moma Cass Elliot
Whitney Houston
Aretha Franklin
Christina Aguilera

My dear departed Mother, voice of an Angel

Brash.... Janis Joplin
Pink

Last two didn't have the PIPES, but the delivery and passion, just make me want to listen...and listen.

Just too bad there aren't a lot of good recordings of Jannis, most I've ever heard, the SQ was ok at best, just not a lot of well recorded stuff.
Sure had a story to tell, if she could stay sober enough..

Regards