Audio Remasterers: Dan Hersch; Bill Inglot.

While female singers have never been absent from the pop world, the turn of the 21st century was a particularly fruitful time for women in pop, as well as country, R&B, and rock music. Canadian folk-rocker Sarah McLachlan created the all-female outdoor festival Lilith Fair, which gave voice to musical poets of all shades. And musical poets abounded, from the earnest innocence of Jewel to the sexually charged fury of Alanis Morissette to the learned soulfulness of Alicia Keys. Country singers such as Faith Hill and teen sensation LeAnn Rimes explored an increasingly populated furrow that edged further into pop territory. And, of course, while young coquettes such as Christina Aguilera performed sold-out shows at arenas across the country, their predecessor Cher was nearing age 60, still scoring hits and putting on spectacular live performances.

WOMEN & SONGS collects tracks from all of the aforementioned artists and other superstars, while introducing many to up-and-coming artists. Dance-popster Cherie combines Stevie Nicks-ish immediacy with a teen-pop sensibility, while, on the other end of the field, Rachel Yamagata hearkens back to inventive 1960s folk. With this broad range of artists, the WOMEN & SONGS collection lives up to the wide scope of its title.