Best female vocals on CD

Paulwp....point taken, and thanks for the Eva Cassidy tips.

Patricia Barber, "Modern Cool". Period.

After reading several recommendations on here I picked up Eva Cassidy, "Live at the Bluenote". I consider it to be the best find I've heard in a long time. A truly incredible talent. Can't wait to get my hands on the rest. Thanks to all who recommended her.

Diana Krall And Jennifer Warnes
Laugh all you want but there are very few singers better than Karen Carpenter. It's too bad she didn't record better songs but their last album is quite listenable.

Just to add to some of the above and agree with many but I like the following Jazz - Billie Holiday (both verve and columbia recordings, probably the most important singer of the 20th century after Sinatra), Dinah Washington (particularly the early mercury recoardings), Ella Fitzgerald (the verve songbooks), Sarah Vaughn, Nina Simone (although her output varies, generally the earlier recordings are best),Betty Carter and Shirley Horn; in pop/folk - Eva Cassidy (one of the best you've probably never heard), Sandy Denny (one of my all time favorites), early Joni Mitchell (the Blue album and before) and early Judy Collins (albums from the 60's and 70's for the most part). Hope the above is helpfull.