Women have been at the dawn of the blues since Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey were singing about hard knocks and tough love in smoky bars. This book gives an overview of the early days of the blues and its development from the Mississippi Delta to the hometown of electric blues, Chicago, to becoming the vibrant global musical movement it is today. Features over 30 exclusive interviews with the amazing female musicians leading the Blues to new heights today.

Includes selected highlights from Chicago blues photographer Jennifer Noble’s extensive colour collection.

Photographs by: Jennifer Noble
Interviewee(s): Kyla Brox, Shemekia Copeland, Dana Gillespie, Connie Lush, Ruthie Foster, Irma Thomas, Dona Oxford, Chick Rodgers, Diunna Greenleaf, Deitra Farr, Tia Gouttebel
Introduction by: Zoe Howe