Who are your three favorite female singers?

Good thread Jim:

Limiting it to 3 (which most got) not only added to the variety/perhaps - but also added insight into the responder.

My pics, obviously, were of a sexual nature, and others were for other qualities such as (to pick one) purity of voice/Joni Mitchell.

DeKay

1. Natalie Merchant
2. Carole King
3. Stevie Nicks

Nina Simone
Lianne La Havas
Alanis Morissette 

Eva Cassidy
Annie Haslam
Mary Black

1. Whitney Houston
2. Ella Fitzgerald
3. Aretha Franklin