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.

128x128twoleftears
I thought we got off the intent of this thread a while back but, what the hey...

Grace Potter
Kim Richey
A few more truly exceptional folk & world female vocalists who seem to be escaping notice:
Teresa Salgueiro
Julie Fowlis
Connie Dover
Kirsty MacColl
Eileen McGann
Loreena McKennitt
Susan McKeown
Najma Akhtar
Mara Aranda
Maddy Prior
June Tabor
Tríona ní Dhomhnaill
Jean Redpath
Lou Lou Ghelichkhani, Natalia Clavier, Shana Halligan, Elin Melagarejo. All of these singers perform on many of the Thievery Corporation releases. Thievery somehow finds the most beautiful and angelic female voices from around the world. Check out the Thievery Corporation release "Saudade". This album features all these female artist and more in a mordern Bosa Nova style...excellent!
GOOD GRIEF!

I can't believe its taken this long for someone mention ELLA FITZGERALD!

Must be a generation thing?

Absolutely NO list of American female vocalists should ever exclude our FIRST LADY OF SONG! The American Songbook would never be what it is without  ELLA.

Google "first lady of song" and guess who?

Yeah, her glory days were pre 70's, but real magic doesn't fade away......
THE HORROR!
This is why we appreciate your input so much!

Actually "Ella" was mentioned by the very first poster....@jerroot