Best female vocals on CD

For Jazz fans: Check out Dee Dee Bridgewater. The CD is "Live at Yoshi's". This is an absolutely stunning CD both musically and artistically. She shows off her entire vocal repertoire from soft delicate ballads to belting out raw, powerful songs to scat singing. She is backed by talented, but not well-kown musicians. The dynamics on this CD are beyond anything I have ever heard on a commercial recording. Listen to the tambourine in the opening on track 2 "Slow Boat to China".

The late Sandy Denny deserves a place in this survey, check her out with Fairport Convention as well as her solo recordings.

...After reading Rayhalls' and Sramas' decidedly harsh criticisms of Diana Kralls' music, I listened to the one CD I have of hers, and the next day went out and bought three more-- to help ensure her "commercial" success. I don't actually know much about jazz singers as it's a genre I don't generally like. But I do know that I like Diana Krall's jazz/ballads, and her lush, husky, beautiful voice IS enough for my obviously limited intellectual and emotional capabilities-- despite what Rayhall says. I was pleased and surprised to see that Srama likes Margo Timmins music as she's one of my favorites also, but it rather amazes me that he could like Margo Timmins voice but not D.K.s? Margo Timmins voice has many of the same characteristics that Rayhall critisizes in D.K., eg limited vocal range, and M.T. has poor ennunciation-- but expressive, yes; intimate, seductive, and haunting all at once. I have all the Cowboy Junkies CDs. Both singers (on MY system) sound like they are in the room with me. Cheers, Craig.

.....So let's not discourage Joe from trying Diana Krall's music. Thanks. Craig

I agree with most of the above and vote for Diana Krall.I like Barbra immensly but something about DK's subtle approach is great. When you can get emotion without maxing out a four octave voice like Celine or Whitney on every song means you can sing. Old timers Lena Horne, Dinah Shore, Jo Stafford, Peggy Lee, Keely Smith were not mentioned and were simply awesome. Also not mentioned were sixties and seventies stars Melanie and Helen Reddy. Nashville singers Mandy Barnett and Shana Petrone have not (yet) enjoyed commercial success but are among the best ever.