Hold Back The Lightnin'
Some time last year in these pages The Hat owned up to a life-long love of women musicians and how they have added a colourful dimension to his shambolic trudge through the daily grind. Sorry, no details available. However, I would venture that whether you are male or female, their magical talents and presence touch you in extraordinary ways and what a desolate place the world of The Hat would be if they were suddenly to disappear. The highs and lows, the pain and joy, the pure, quiet, soft whisper and the raucous holler. Well of course that ain't gonna happen and even if there are never gonna be enough, we can all wake up cheerful in the knowledge that this is gonna go on for ever. Ok. I'll stop there. I am a little prejudiced, but nevertheless punch the air and bring The Hat a hankie.
In the killer song 'I'm A Woman', the fabulous Koko Taylor points out that women can do just about anything – cut stone with a pin, hold back the lightnin' and wrestle with a crocodile – not that we didn't already know that, and there are plenty of songs in the same vein. If you want to be really afraid then check out 'Gabbin Blues' by Big Maybelle where she tells another woman, somewhat less than politely, where to get off. But the blues got off to a pretty bad start with its women. Women musicians didn't always have such freedom of expression or of spirit and there is a long catalogue of sadness and abuse, bad (male) management and inequality that reaches right back into the history of both blues and jazz. The roll-call of special talent that survived is well-known and still serves to inspire the blues women of today. Thank heavens for that. As Koko says, true to form, not only did the sisters shake hands with the devil but they then made him crawl in the sand.
And Hurrah for the decisions in the Hebden Towers smoked-filled rooms. Last year, the Hebden Bridge Blues Festival held a special 'Women Of The Blues' night at The Picture House. It was rammed packed, the stellar line-up blew the audience away and the cries for more echoed round the blues circuits to other festivals. How come no-one else had the idea? In their infinite wisdom the organisers have kept the gig in for the 2012 festival this June. It wasn't a difficult decision.The line-up is once again top-flight (Lucy Zirins, Cherry Lee Mewis and Jenna Hooson just for starters) and you'd better book now as tickets are rushing out the door. If you want to put your emotions through the wringer, listen to Lucy sing 'Tearing me down' and 'It hurts me too'; swat your troubles away with Jenna channelling power and feeling with 'Voodoo Woman' and 'Tell Mama' and settle down in a warm glow while Cherry tells you she 'Just Can't Live Without You'... Don't forget also that many of the dozens of bands playing at the Festival have spectacularly talented females in their line-up too. Check out that website now.
Also, some time ago I touched on some seriously jangly nerves when I mused on the subject of making your first CD and all the trials and tribulations that come with it. (Jan 17 says our Ed.) It turned out that the world and his wife related to this one. So many had been there, were still there, almost there, nearly not quite there and were 'still working on it'. The fights, the tears and the tantrums. So what a delight it is for The Hat to report that Hooson, fronted by the aforementioned Jenna, have actually gone and done it. Nobody died, they're all still good friends and their Fame is flying. The album, entitled 'Sugar Rush' is pressed, polished and published. It is terrific. Go Get. There is of course only one place where it can be properly live launched – and yes, Hebden Bridge Blues Festival gets the honour. The hot news is - to add some substantial Icing to everyone's Sugar Rush - we learn that all the women playing at the Womens Blues night have now been nominated for the 2012 British Blues Awards. No Down-Hearted Blues here.
Finally, The Hat understands that apparently Mamie Smith sold a million copies of 'Crazy Blues' in its very first year in 1920. (Are you listening Mr Cowell?) Inevitably, it would seem her man didn't treat her right and a lot of people agreed. Well, never mind the sentiment, The Hat would like to wish some similar sales on all the sisters singing for us this summer...... See you there.
Pip Pip
The Man in The Hat
(Thanks to Blue Planet for the pic..)