The top women artists solo EVER

Phil.K

[Jakarta ex-pat]

OK. So which female artists NOT associated with duo, group etc would make your top 10. Here's mine..in no particular order

[Skenderbej]

I definitely prefer Alison to Karen!

[Skooz]

Maria McKee

[good old days]

Jo Stafford (my favorite)
Ella Fitzgerald
Doris Day
Patsy Cline
Kiri te Kanawa
Loretta Lynn

[Skenderbej]

Definitely one who died too early...and before her gift was appreciated.

[posterchild]

Hadn’t heard of her until now. I enjoyed a few of the itunes clips I just played.

[Skooz]

Rickie Lee Jones

Yes.

[good old days]

Sandi Patty should be on my list, as well.

[william clark]

Although known primarily for her disaster-movie tunes (and as the singing nun in “Airplane”), I’ve long been impressed with Maureen McGovern’s voice. Her rendition of “Can You Read My Mind” (which really should have been used in “Superman” instead of having Margot Kidder recite it as poetry) has a beautiful B-side called “You Love Me Too Late”

[gigster]

Gladys Knight
Dinah Washington

[Repealthe17thAmendment]

Have to agree with many of the names here:
Aimee Mann is probably my favorite.

A new up and comer is Diane Birch. Keep an eye on her.

Another jazz singer with a beautiful voice is Jane Monheit.

And did anyone mention Holly Cole?

Not a singer, but a fantastic musician/composer, Carla Bley.

[jimmango]

As a product of the 70's ....

Carol King
Carly Simon

[Hoodat]

Aretha Franklin

[Skenderbej]

She has my favorite recording of “Wayfaring Stranger”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jznLuZqq1ss

[CSM]

Pat Benetar. The most qualified for your list.

[Perdogg]

Shirley Bassey
Lulu
Melissa Manchester
Petula Clark

[VicVega]

The list is growing and growing.

Some other honorable mentions. Madonna

Enya

Diana Krall

Sheryl Crow

Susan Boyle

I would have Aaron Neville as a top 10 male or angel like soloist.

[Interesting Times]

Ann Wilson

[Gay State Conservative]

Judy Collins....Mama Cass (she was,in essence,a soloist).

[dfwgator]

My faves are all Polish or Eastern Europe-based:

Kasia Kowalska
Edyta Bartosiewicz
Anna Maria Jopek
Katarina Knechtova
Anita Lipnicka

My faves from the Anglosphere:

Kate Bush
Liz Phair
Sarah MacLachlan
Patricia Andrzejewski (although you know her better as Pat Benatar)

[Comanche]

I like your list. You need to add

Billie Holliday (sp)