Lady Sings the Blues by Various Artists (CD, Mar-2003, 2 Discs, Capitol/EMI Records)

An excellent introduction to this genre of music - not Blues, as the title implies, but Jazz standards sung by true divas of torch songs, such as Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, Dianne Reeves, Etta James, Della Reese, Diana Krall, Dinah Washington, June Christy, Keely Smith, Nancy Wilson, Peggy Lee, Cassandra Wilson, Nora Jones (with Charlie Hunter), Patricia Barber and Julie London. A great gift, or fabulous introduction to these artists. Sarah Vaughn can be a little over the top, but it's a well balanced collection with something for everyone. There's a second collection as well.