Allison Krauss has the best singing voice I've ever heard.

I'm not trying ot sound like a cliche, but her voice is what I imagine angels would sound like.

She sang Ave Maria at the Grammys a few years ago in a duet with Pavarotti. And I felt she blew him away. She had more range, more heart and above all, more soul.

Her songs are kind of hit or miss, but with that voice, who cares.

She also plays a mean fiddle.

Michael Jackson

So many people have already said my favorites, but if you want I will add my voice to these:

*PJ Harvey rocks my world
*Tori Amos is almost tied w/ PJ
*Beth Gibbons of Portishead
*I am blanking on her name, but she played w/ Tricky on Angels w/ Dirty Faces and Maxinquaye
*Fiona Apple (yes, she is temperamental, but that voice, those lyrics *sigh*)
*Alison Krauss has a haunting voice (favorite song-"It Doesn't Matter")
*Emiliana Torrini (beautiful voice)
*Etta James ("At Last"...'nuff said)
*Ella Fitzgerald (if you can't afford her collection, get The Best of the Song Books
*Bjork (my favorite cd is Post

Okay, there are undoubtedly many hundreds more, but I think I'll stop here. Good luck in your pursuit of beautiful music!

Paula Cole.

Bjork and Melora Creager. Leigh Nash is pretty good as well.

~Scheherazade

Heh, seriously though I think Hiroko Kasahara , who you've most likely never heard of is the best female artist ever! Her voice is so smooth and unlike anyone you ever heard...

http://www2.gol.com/users/arashi/hiroko.html

Gladys Knight without a doubt.

Current singers:
Bjork
Liz Phair
Aimee Mann

Singers from yesteryear:
Billie Holliday
Ella Fitzgerald
Aretha Franklin (okay, so maybe she's not that old)

And I'm probably alone on this, but I always dug Juliana Hatfield. A little girlish maybe, but it works for me.

Andalusia,

You are so not alone in liking Juliana Hatfield. I have all her cds, plus a couple from when she was w/ The Blake Babies. While her voice is good (maybe a little pop-y), the thing I like best about her is her songwriting ability. Most of her songs are quirky w/ a catchy hook, but there is meaning behind them.

So, thanks for reminding me about her :wave:

Trisha Yearwood - Country

Madonna - Pop/Dance

Charlotte Church - Classical

Diana Krall - Jazz

Eve - Rap / Hip Hop

Yeah, I know what you mean. Her songwriting is very unique, and she just loves thowing in unusual chords. By the way, she's releasing a "best of" album in June (think it's June). It's called "Gold Stars" and will include the obvious "hits" as well as some brand new songs.

-edit-

Oh yeah, saw your question about the girl who sings with Tricky. Her name is Martina, and I agree she's a great singer... compliments his music very well.

Some favorites:

Amos, Tori
Eggleston, Kat
Fitzgerald, Ella
McKennitt, Loreena
Sade
Sioux, Siouxsie
Williams, Vanessa

Grace Slick from Jefferson Airplane.
Janis Joplin
Genya Ravan from Ten Wheel Drive

I'm a big fan of female jazz singers. Although Diana Krall is very good (and so are countless others like Jane Monheit, Patricia Barber, Cassandra Wilson, Claudia Acuna, Molly Johnson, Susanne Abhuehl, etc...), one stands head and shoulders above the rest: Dianne Reeves.

"Dianne is the legitimate extension of all of the good things that have gone on before, from Ethel Waters to Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah and Carmen... She is earth mother, lover, she is the hurt child, she manages to get inside each one of those things."

Her body of work speaks for itself, but the greatest tribute to her artistry comes from the jazz musicians themselves. In the jazz circles, she is THE female jazz singer.

ani difranco
Lauryn Hill

Liz Phair.
The greatest voice IMHO, would be of the great Mhalia Jackson.

I don't know about "best," but my favorite female singer/songwriter is Jonatha Brooke.

Natalie Merchant of 10,000 Maniacs (and solo career)
Cyndi Lauper

I second Jonatha Brooke. Seen her five times and have all of her (and the Story's) CD's.

Madonna (her voice has gotten better as she gets older)
Sarah Mclachlan
Toni Braxton
Diana Krall
Etta James

Sarah Brightman
Kate Bush
Annie Haslam (Renaissance)
Shaun Murphy (Little Feat)
Alice Cooper :D

who ever does the "i turn to you" song. this woman has a very high range and who i consiter a great song.

Not nearly enough love for Kate Bush around here!
I always liked the chick from Cowboy Junkies too.

Isn't that Sporty Spice?

I think that's Christina Aguilera.