Blues Harp Women celebrated in album

Ruf Records have confirmed the release of a double-album that celebrates female harmonica players.

Blues Harp Women has been under production for years after US DJ Norman Davis began an investigation into why so few of them reached public awareness.

He reports: “Big Mama Thornton is responsible – I played one of her tracks on my radio show, heard a nice harmonica solo and checked the liner notes to see who it was. It was Big Mama! It was the first time I recall hearing a woman playing blues harp, and it set the wheels turning in my head.”

He set up the the website Hermonicas.com to chart his progress, until the concept of a compilation record was suggested. “It’s taken a few years – working with 30-plus artists can get very complicated,” says Davis. “But finally the album is finished and is about to become a unique part of music history.

“I hope this album will shed some light on what has been a black hole in the blues universe. It proves that, as with other instruments, women are the equal of men on the harmonica. Perhaps this will help them get the attention that has passed them by in the past.”

Blues Harp Women will be released on December 4 and it’s available for pre-order now.

Tracklist

Disc 1

Harmonica Girl – Paula Rangell
Roadmaster – Roxy Perry
Heavy Water – Stacy Jones Band
Down Home Shakedown – Big Mama Thornton
32-20 Blues - Lynnann Hyde
Down To The Hollow – Trina Hamlin
Stop! Wait A Minute – Tracy K
One More Lie – Teresa ‘T-Bird’ Lynne
Naughty Girl – Octavia
Why You So Mean To Me – Kat Baloun
Ain’t Easy – Beth Kohnen
Stuck On You – Jane Gillman
Mechanical Beast – Zola Moon
Please Call Daddy – Mattie Phifer
Sadder Than Sad – Dorothy Jane ‘DJ’ Gosper

Disc 2

Cash Is King – Jenny Kerr
Blues Got Me – Cheryl Arena
Lookin’ Good – Annie Raines
He’s Gone – Marion Turner
Meet Me Where They Play The Blues – Terry Leonino
Crazy Maisie – Dana Dixon
Everybody’s Dancing – Beata Kossowska
Take The Lead – Jill Fromewick
Never Leave Me Home – Diana Redlin
Summertime – Christelle Berthon
Hit The Road – Judy Rudin
Doctor C – Cecilia Loforti
Rikers Island – Maria Coyote
Fast Food Mama – Jackie Merritt
Bring It On Home (To Me) – Big Nancy
Rhonda Alla Blue – Rhonda Rucker

Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.