Most underrated female recording artists..

Great thread! I've got some listening to do. One that I'll mention is Diane Schuur. I did a quick search here on Audiogon and found discussion so I'm not really confident in my complaint that she's underrated. I do find her voice to be exquisite and I don't see a whole lot about her, so I get the impression that I'm more positively impressed than most. 

Linda Ronstadt "Underrated"?! Doesn’t everyone appreciate her? Well, except for Elvis Costello ;-) . Am I taking the question too literally?

Those who like Iris DeMent LOVE her. How about Lou Ann Barton? Tammy Wynette? Mavis Staples? Ruth Brown? Arlene Smith (of The Chantels. Listen to her sing "Maybe" to have your mind blown)? Darlene Love? Emmylou Harris? Sure, appreciated, but not enough so. Kasey Chambers? Julie Miller? Sam Phillips? Maryann Price? Listen to her sing "I’m An Old Cowhand" on Striking It Rich by Dan Hicks And His Hot Licks. So salacious!

Going off the straight and narrow here with

Sade Adu

Try some Holly Cole, female jazz singer Canada. Best album to start Don't Smoke in Bed or Dark Dear Heart.

Very good band and excellent vocalist. Also known as The Holly Cole Trio.

Ruth Moody (sang with Mark Knopller on "Tracker")

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