More female vocals

I am suprised no one has mentioned Madeline Peyroux. Fantastic female vocalist.

Also Melody Gardot.

"billie holiday. can't believe nobody's mentioned her yet..."

- no need to mention her - she's by default

Give some of Big Mama Thornton's music a listen. She was the first to record the hit song "Hound Dog" in 1952. The song was #1 on the Billboard R&B charts for seven weeks. The B-side was "They Call Me Big Mama," and the single sold almost two million copies. I have some of her stuff on vinyl. Her voice gives me goosebumps.

Take a listen to Leslie Mendelson's CD "Swan Feathers", and any one of the three CD's by Katie Melua. Every song on the Leslie Mendelson CD is a keeper, but I find the words and melody on the two songs "Rest Of London" and "If I don't Stop Loving You" to be hauntingly beautiful.