Who are your three favorite female singers?

K.D. Lang, Karen Carpenter and Joni Mitchell

@ sondeknz The question was top 3, not a list of 90.  I have 42,000 LPs/78s/CDs. I chose my top three from recordings dating back 100 years, of which 20% have female singers. I don't doubt you prefer nearly all contemporary singers but there have been more accomplished singers over the period of recordings (although you mention Fitzgerald and Garland).  

@fleschler 

Sorry you didn't enjoy my list.
I wasn't trying to show-off.  I had simply hoped that going wider on list would help others to find some new favourites.
Certainly I have found a load of new voices myself, through this thread.
Based upon your own Top 3 picks, I think you would be most rewarded by exploring the music by STACEY KENT.
ELLA FITZGERALD was 4th on my list, but I have to admit the other three get heavier rotation these days.
I think my mentions of NINA SIMONE, JUDITH DURHAM and others qualify as "earlier" artists.
I never mentioned JUDY GARLAND.  Just not my bowl of satsumas.
All highly subjective, of course.

Can't give you my fav 3, but these are the ones I have been listening to most often lately:

Bettye Lavette
Nina Hagen
Laurie Anderson

Aretha Franklin
Fiona Apple
Carmen Gomes
Sade
Patricia Barber
Linda Perry

Whitney Houston
Eva Cassidy
Rebecca Pidgeon
Etta James
Adele