Who are your favorite female recording artists? A few of mine:
Sheryl Crow
Liz Phair
Aimee Mann
Sarah McLachlan
I also greatly admire the vocal chops of Whitney, Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera and Kelly Clarkson, even if I don't like all of their music.
In random order...
Poe
Bjork
Anita Baker
Fiona Apple
Phyllis Hyman
Sade
Alanis Morissette
Esthero
Lisa Stansfield
Mariah Carey
Christina Aguilera
Janet Jackson
Madonna
Grace Jones
Sheryl Crow
Jewel
Teena Marie
Amy Winehouse
Joss Stone
Jill Scott
Erykah Badu
The Living Jarboe
Diamanda Galas
Anna Calvi
The Slits