Excellent submissions, although CV wins the obscurity prize so far. It will take me quite a bit of time to experience all those leads. I am grateful for them because - like Charles - I readily admit my preference for female singers.
I forgot Susan Tedeschi. Love her.
I don't want to pick on Ken and Scott, but I'm absolutely baffled by Sheryl Crow. I completely understand her inclusion as an "artist" and maybe even as a "musician", but considering her in the same category as the other "singers" or "vocalists" that have been mentioned just doesn't make sense to me. I've always thought of her as an accomplished (and fairly pleasant) recording artist, and have also consistently found her singing talent to be unremarkable, at best. So, I'd be grateful if someone could point me to a Sheryl Crow song where her singing conveys extraordinary levels of power, nuance, style, tone, interpretation or whatever other qualities you like.
Plus extra more:
Karrin Allyson
Koko Taylor
Etta James
Diane Schuur
Ernestine Anderson
Imelda May (thanks, Bob)
Melissa Etheridge
Nancy Wilson (not Ann's sister)
Dinah Washington
Sarah Vaughan
Linda Ronstadt
