Most unusual/mesmerizing female voice.

Melody Gardot, Joni Mitchell, Natalie Merchant

I'm glad this thread produced so much response. The older I get, the more I find myself listening to music with strong female vocals. This hobby never gets old!

Unique female voices always get my attention. Some modern finds.....

Yukimi Nagano of the Swedish band Little Dragon. A great sample here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcP5ivpLbCM

She is just as good live. Little Dragon is great actually.

Yukimi lends her voice to a few other projects and jazz bands as well, including Koop and Sleep Walker

Another very unique and new to me performer, is Elsieanne Caplette of Elsiane. http://www.myspace.com/elsiane

Cool thread. I will check out the other suggestions.

Hope Sandoval is absolutely mesmerizing. some might remember her from Mazzy Starr. check out this youtube cut from massive attacks recent release heligoland. Paradise Circus...this song is hypnotic!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V93gs6jx-j8

Yma Sumac, unusual for sure and one for the ages.

I have never heard any human being approach what she does with her voice. The range is absolutely spellbounding. Now it is another issue altogether whether her voice could be considered mesmerizing.