Best female vocals on CD

Just heard a song on the radio, and - in the jangle pop category - nominate Harriet Wheeler of the Sundays (early-mid 90's group) as an amazing female vocalist. Offhand, can't think of any other tha can so effortlessly glide between notes, not to mention her delightful English accent.

You may have heard "Hideous Towns" or "Here's Where the Story Ends" from their debut album (Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic). IMHO - a great album, and well worth checking out. Pity they didn't release more than 3 albums.

Also, I'll add a vote to the two others for Joan Armatrading. It's perfectly mated to her guitar playing - and pretty unique (deep and clear alto). I've only got her greatest hits album - but it looks like her last album (Lovers Speak) got some raves.

It occurs to me that all these recommendations don't do a hoot of good if you never get to listen to the tunage ... So (thanks to the wonders of modern technology), as a brief intro to the Sundays you can click the following Amazon link for Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic and scroll down to "Listen to Samples" to hear snippets of the first 4-5 tracks using Real Player, Windows Media Player or whatever ... Doesn't do Harriet justice that a listening booth experience would, but it'll give you a taste so you can rush out and buy it.

I highly suggest " JACINTHA is Her Name" CD ALBUM. Groove Note GRV1014-3 (SACD). Excellent sound recording engineering and music selection. My system: ML Ascent; Mc402; SFL line 2 SE; Pioneer CLD-D604 Laser disc/CD player.

I have discovered one of the most beautiful female vocalist by accident while visiting my native country, Korea. The artist name is Lee Soo Young. She might be in her late 20s, and since her surfacing back in 1998, have made quite a ripple in the music scene with very well orchestrated ballads and excellent videos. Of course, most of the lyrics are in her native language, but the instrumentation and orchestration of several of her songs leaves nothing to be desired. There are at least 5-6 albums beginning with her first one. Nevertheless, the one that has a very good track is NEVER AGAIN, her second release. Track# 17...."When one's love passes by" is simply a killer. Furthermore, her 4.5 CD release, a special double CD feature is almost like the greatest hits called SWEET HOLIDAY IN LOMBOK, also have a copillation of her best songs. My favorite is MADE IN WINTER, a 2002 release. How can I describe her voice? It is very sweet, not low like Diana Krall, whose later recordings I find a fairly bit overdone, overcook, shall I say with enhancements (echos, delay etc...), she has a middle upper range voice, although some songs can sound a little underdone, through her songs, LEE SOO YOUNG really has a gift of making you feel the emotions through each and every stanza of her ballads. I once liked Sarah Brightman, but now, there is a new vocal queen on my CD transport, ms. Lee Soo Young.

PS: Although her records are difficult to locate, unless you are in a major city in either coasts or in Chicago, if you want to get a hold of any one of her CD, they are available and at a very good price at [http://www.YESASIA.com...]...her page link is [http://us.yesasia.com/en/PrdDept.aspx/pid-1002469123/aid-989/section-music/code-k/]....is a link to her "Sweet Holiday in Limbuk." I have ordered almost ALL her albums two weeks ago. Now I have my fix of LEE SOO YOUNG for the forseable future.

PAUL

For goose bumps, I always turn to: Jenna Mammina "meant to be" and "under the influence" (available at www.jennamammina.com), Kiki dee "almost naked" live, and Eva Cassidy "songbird".