Best female vocals on CD

Lisa Gerrard of Dead Can Dance. Not sure if she's been mentioned but I would highly recommend a listen. CD's worth mention are Dead Can Dance "Towards The Within" & "Spiritchaser".

In no particular order ... I enjoy at various moments Natalie Merchant, Suzanne Rhatigan, Tanita Tikaram, Deanna Kirk, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Kris McKay, Holly Cole ...

Ok, here are a couple that might not have been mentioned yet, but I believe would be greatly enjoyed:
- Sophie Zelmani: Love Affair (but basically any of her albums)
- Katja Maria Werker: Contact Myself
- Kitty Hoff: Rauschen (if you can understand German)
- Carol Sloane: Ballad Essentials (on Concord)
- Oh Susannah: Sleepy Little Sailor
- Abbey Lincoln: A turtles dream
- Carmen Cuesta-Loeb: Dreams
- Solveig Slettahjell: Slow Motion Orchestra
- Bic Runga: Beautiful Collision
- Kathryn Williams: Little Black Numbers
- Karrin Allyson: In Blue
- Lisa Ekdahl: Sings Salvadore Poe
- Tierney Sutton: Dancing in the dark

OK, at least one Opera has to be mentioned:
- Sandrine Piau: Händel Opera Seria

I have not given any descriptions, they are all easy enough to look up in amazon or so...and also I think easy enough listening to be enjoyed by most who like what has already been mentioned in this threat. Just beware that most of these tend to be a bit melancholic or at least quite in basic mood :-)

Anyone there who knows a lot of my recommendations? What else would you recommend??

Btw, for those of you asking about Madeleine Peyroux's "Careless Love" on LP, it's coming soon, available on pre-order from Music Direct. I ordered my copy!

Has anyone metioned Neko Case. Her voice gives me chills.