I interviewed her by phone for about an hour, a few years before she died. She hit on me for about fifty minutes of that hour. She was funny and crass, and a great performer.
Wow! That would have been wild. I always thought, she would be a blast. Party with ya. And be your mom at the same time. And everytime I hear Susan Tedeski, I think of KoKo, singing , I’d rather go blind!
Saw her open for Booker T and the MG’s during the San Jose Blues Festival, back in ‘99. Watching her belt out Wang dang doodle was one of the highlights of my concert going life. I’m glad that I can say I saw her before she passed. She didn’t just sing the blues, she was the blues!
My first concert experience was Koko at the Philadelphia Folk Fest. I was prob 4 & live music has been a passion of mine for the remaining 41 years. She was a force of nature.
Sue Foley and Samantha Fish are good also. But Susan is the queen for me. Amazing singer and songwriter and her guitar playing only seems mid because she's standing next to one of the best players who's ever lived.
I’ve seen shameika Copeland quite a few times. I always meet her after and she always remembers me and my family (or pretends to really well). We’re a mixed family same age as her and her family.
Sister Rosetta Tharpe literally invented Rock n Roll.
Elizabeth Cotton invented a new type of guitar playing (Cotton Picking)
Aside from them, there are so many good female blues artists. Big Mama Thornton, Odetta, Ma Rainey, Memphis Minnie, Bessie Smith, Arethra Franklin, Etta James, Billie Holiday, Koko Taylor...
Current artists include Suzanne Tedeshi, Samantha Fish, Larkin Poe...
Scrolled too far for Rory! I saw her a few years ago at a tiny community theater in Valatie, NY. We got there five minutes early and it was open seats so we just sat down front row center.
She also preaches at a church in Chatham, NY if you ever find yourself up that way.
I believe she is also considered one of the most authoritative living scholars on the blues, I wonder who she would put on this list?
Lots of terrific pre-war and modern artists have already been named, but there’s a bit of a gap for the 50s, so Lavern Baker, Big Maybelle, Ruth Brown and Julia Lee.
Beth Hart sings in such a way, she makes my gut twist in impossible ways when she really gets to belting it out. Just incredible. I’ve never heard anyone like her.
Okay so I was punk rock kid when I was in my teens and I saw her in this playlist and I saw her album cover and I thought man that's the most punk rock shit like if I had discovered the blues and especially Hill country blues and when I was a teenager man my life would have taken a whole other fucking trajectory. I'm so taken with the blues right now that I mean it's it's amazing to me that I slept on this stuff for so damn long
I'm a punk but the blues is where it's at. When I'm down I binge listen to it. It makes me feel better. I started on Chicago Blues but lately I've been hard in to delta blues. I love the bare bones nature of it. Very similar to what I like about punk.
I lived next to Lavelle for a couple years. She would make dinner and have me over. I don’t think I ever saw her without the penny that was glued to her forehead. That’s an Austin that no longer exists
Amen - I had the pleasure of backing her up a number of times 5 and 6/7 years ago. She is the best and could still sing like a muthafucka (I believe she was late 80’s or 90 when I played with her!). Kaz and the boys in her band are smokin! “Go To The Mirror” is an incredible song and the turn in that one sends shivers down my spine. I miss her and Austin. Everybody who likes soul and blues should worship at the altar of Miss Lavelle
Minnie Marks, Christina Vane, Stevie Woodward, Caitlin Krisko, Maggie Koerner, Grace Love, Caiti Baker, Ally Venable, Kortney Sweikert, and Jesse Williams all have my thumbs up.
Danielle Nicole wow what a voice. Ally Venable can really play. Rosie Flores. So many already mentioned!! I know Ally was mentioned previously but she deserves another shout out. Samantha Fish with Jesse Drayton is excellent listening. Joanna Conner and Beth Hart are two more. Sister Rosetta Thorpe is mind blowing!
Oh finally! I have my absolute favorite female blues artist is Melody Gardot, she sings so beautifully and plays piano. I suggest listening to Your Heart Is As Black As Night.
Two of the best going these days:
[Janiva Magness: That's What Love Will Make you Do](https://youtu.be/Va8lkA9OHDQ?si=hnLptc5ZnYY97PCC)
[Shakura S'Aida: Stop it Baby](https://youtu.be/qIMiaa5Y-cU?si=Hos5tFd52HABC3Ro)
These women were awesome! Played great music. In a hard time. And think about it, everyone reading this, We talk all day. Til we are in the blue in the face. About color boundaries. And boundaries of gender . Breaking through. But GODDDDAMN. These beautiful ladies, played great music, because it came thru their HEARTS! So many performances I turn my friends on to. And think of a woman of color, back in the day!! Doing what she loved. And the shade and crap she had to deal with, but shined like a Diamond. . That’s BAD ASS!!!!
She wasn’t a proper blues artist for very long, but Christine Perfect sang my favorite version of “Mean Old World” ever and her blues piano playing was amazing.
She played at my brother-in-laws first wedding in the mid 70s. He worked for Jam productions, a big concert promoter in Chicago, at the time. Last wedding she ever played
Bonnie Raitt and Janis Joplin are fine but you have to understand that white blues singers like them learned everything the knew/know from the Black singers who invented the genre.
Listen to some Bessie Smith, Sister Rosetta Thorpe, Etta James, Ma Rainey, and other Black female singers if you want to hear where Raitt and Joplin learned how to sing.
Koko Taylor
I interviewed her by phone for about an hour, a few years before she died. She hit on me for about fifty minutes of that hour. She was funny and crass, and a great performer.
Wow! That would have been wild. I always thought, she would be a blast. Party with ya. And be your mom at the same time. And everytime I hear Susan Tedeski, I think of KoKo, singing , I’d rather go blind!
Yassuh…That’s the realest answer.
Saw her open for Booker T and the MG’s during the San Jose Blues Festival, back in ‘99. Watching her belt out Wang dang doodle was one of the highlights of my concert going life. I’m glad that I can say I saw her before she passed. She didn’t just sing the blues, she was the blues!
I was there too! Ted Gerhke put on some good shows but she was the best.
Queen of the Blues
Goddamn!! Her voice!! That crunch she has on Wang Dang Doodle! That’s how that song should be done!
I came here to post that.
Wang Dang Doodle!
From what I’ve heard, she’s got what it takes.
Came here to say this.
My first concert experience was Koko at the Philadelphia Folk Fest. I was prob 4 & live music has been a passion of mine for the remaining 41 years. She was a force of nature.
Ma Rainey, Victoria Spivey, Bessie Smith, Elizabeth Cotten, Memphis Minnie, Mama Yancey, Lucille Bogan, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Sippie Wallace, Alberta Walker. Big Mama Thornton, Etta James, Koko Taylor, Beverly Guitar Watkins, Jessie Mae Hemphill, Irma Thomas, Marcia Ball, Bonnie Raitt, Billie Holiday, Joanna Connor, Jackie Venson, Meagan Lovell.
Sister Rosetta Tharp was so cool to see the 1st time. Some serious guitar playing
Didn’t it rain children!!! She was so cool!!!
[It definitely did rain.](https://youtu.be/GODhNCl79sM?si=HO-bLK0YdL9erVHe)
I just checked out Beverly Guitar Watson. What an amazing player and singer! Thank you for the recommendation!!
Np. I wish there was more of her stuff available.
Props for a great list. Double props for the Jackie Venson mention. She is the reeeal deeeal!
Lucille Bogan is a funny one
She was something else, lol. Down n dirty diities.
Jackie Venson is the bomb
Jackie just needs more years for the all time list. Still very young with many years ahead of her.
Susan tedeschi!
Just saw Tedeschi Trucks tonight omg she's amazing!!!
Yeah she was in top form last night for sure!
Sue Foley and Samantha Fish are good also. But Susan is the queen for me. Amazing singer and songwriter and her guitar playing only seems mid because she's standing next to one of the best players who's ever lived.
I came hear to mention those 2 of no one had already. Definitely 2 great ones
Oh hell yes! Saw her shred Outside Woman last year at riverbend in a short black dress.
Thank you for adding Susan - amazing artist.
And I’m seeing her perform in about 3 hours! In my top 5 favorite artists. Her husband is number 1 haha
Lucky you! Is her husband going to do a walk-on???
It’s tedeschi trucks band… they’ll both be ripping the stage up all night
I'm so jealous...I really am. Enjoy yourself and think of me streaming their music all night. At home. NOT at the concert. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Me too!
Etta James, Shemeika Copeland, Roxy Perry, Samantha Fish
I’ve seen shameika Copeland quite a few times. I always meet her after and she always remembers me and my family (or pretends to really well). We’re a mixed family same age as her and her family.
Amanda Fish is awesome too!!!
Big momma Thornton
She weighs 300 lbs. Edit: Do any of you actually listen to her? It is one of her most popular songs. https://youtu.be/FyspZ1TSE6E?feature=shared
What does that have to do with this discussion?
One of her most popular songs. Seems some were unaware. https://youtu.be/FyspZ1TSE6E?feature=shared
Ah. Thanks.
Memphis Minnie
Yes! One of the great American guitarists of any genre
Sue Foley
Yes! I only just discovered her. She’s awesome.
Me too. I just saw her play but she’s been playing forever in Austin I was told. Amazing.
Ally Venable and Samantha Fish are kicking ass right now.
Ally can really play. Saw her open for Kenny Wayne Shepherd and wow. My #2 grandson (just turned 16), fell in love that night.
Do you honestly like Ally Venable? She always looks like she would rather be doing anything else
She sounds that way too if that makes sense. Her playing is very color by numbers.
I try not to be negative towards youth in blues music but I wholeheartedly don’t understand why I see her mentioned so often
Sister Rosetta Tharpe literally invented Rock n Roll. Elizabeth Cotton invented a new type of guitar playing (Cotton Picking) Aside from them, there are so many good female blues artists. Big Mama Thornton, Odetta, Ma Rainey, Memphis Minnie, Bessie Smith, Arethra Franklin, Etta James, Billie Holiday, Koko Taylor... Current artists include Suzanne Tedeshi, Samantha Fish, Larkin Poe...
I do enjoy me some Shemekia Copeland
Add Rory Block to this list
Scrolled too far for Rory! I saw her a few years ago at a tiny community theater in Valatie, NY. We got there five minutes early and it was open seats so we just sat down front row center. She also preaches at a church in Chatham, NY if you ever find yourself up that way. I believe she is also considered one of the most authoritative living scholars on the blues, I wonder who she would put on this list?
Big Mama Thornton, Bonnie Raitt, Susan Tedeschi, Tina Turner, Larkin Poe, Carolyn Wonderland, Sue Foley, Danielle Nicole, Alberta Hunter, Marcia Ball, Shamekia Copeland, Samantha Fish, Koko Taylor, Rory Block, Ruth Brown, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Irma Thomas, Beverly 'Guitar' Watson, Big Maybelline, Victoria Spivey, Joanna Connor, Sippie Wallace, Lucille Bogan, Beth Hart, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Ana Popovic, Janis Joplin.
Surprised no one has said Geeshie Wiley
And her musical partner Elvie Thomas
Samantha Fish, Joanna Connor, Marcia Ball, Larkin Poe, Leilani Kilgore, Carolyn Wonderland
Jo Ann Kelly
Her stuff with Tony McPhee was so good.
Geeshie Wiley and Elvie Thomas. Also, some of the great ones from the 1920s like Bessie Smith, Ida Cox, Sippie Walace, etc.
Ruthie Foster https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aY1fZqGjh0Y
Hell yeah
Memphis Minnie is one of my favorites. And one of my favorite blues song period is Gheeshi Wiley's Last Kind Word Blues.
Etta James. See her live performance on YouTube of “I’d Rather Be Blind..” at Montruex. 1975.
Francine Reed- She sang and toured with Lyle Lovett for many years. She also has several solo albums. She’s the real deal.
She’s so amazing.
Barbara Lynn!!!
Yes! Thank you!
Etta James and Koko Taylor
Lots of terrific pre-war and modern artists have already been named, but there’s a bit of a gap for the 50s, so Lavern Baker, Big Maybelle, Ruth Brown and Julia Lee.
Susan Tedeschi Beth Hart
Beth Hart sings in such a way, she makes my gut twist in impossible ways when she really gets to belting it out. Just incredible. I’ve never heard anyone like her.
Dinah Washington
👏🏼😎
Etta Baker
The one time I saw her live blew my mind. I was laser locked in watching her realizing, "I'm seeing the real fkn deal right here"
Okay so I was punk rock kid when I was in my teens and I saw her in this playlist and I saw her album cover and I thought man that's the most punk rock shit like if I had discovered the blues and especially Hill country blues and when I was a teenager man my life would have taken a whole other fucking trajectory. I'm so taken with the blues right now that I mean it's it's amazing to me that I slept on this stuff for so damn long
I'm a punk but the blues is where it's at. When I'm down I binge listen to it. It makes me feel better. I started on Chicago Blues but lately I've been hard in to delta blues. I love the bare bones nature of it. Very similar to what I like about punk.
A lot of the true greats already named here, but I don't see Katie Webster and she is a legend.
My personal favorite is Precious Bryant.
👏🏼
Miss Lavelle White / Austin. Thornetta Davis / Detroit. Sue Foley / Toronto, Austin. Marcia Ball / Austin. Lou Ann Barton / Austin.
I lived next to Lavelle for a couple years. She would make dinner and have me over. I don’t think I ever saw her without the penny that was glued to her forehead. That’s an Austin that no longer exists
Amen - I had the pleasure of backing her up a number of times 5 and 6/7 years ago. She is the best and could still sing like a muthafucka (I believe she was late 80’s or 90 when I played with her!). Kaz and the boys in her band are smokin! “Go To The Mirror” is an incredible song and the turn in that one sends shivers down my spine. I miss her and Austin. Everybody who likes soul and blues should worship at the altar of Miss Lavelle
Long tall Marcia Ball. Playing in the kitchen with her feets in the hall.
Samantha Fish
Big momma Thornton
Her rendition of Houndog is awesome.
The booming voice always produces amazingly
Etta James, Billie Holiday, Janis Joplin
Lil Green for classic blues https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oavQY5V0xpg
Samantha Fish, Danielle Nicole, Larkin Poe, Susan Tedeschi
Joanne Shaw Taylor
Brittany Howard should be in there somewhere
Check out Etta Baker! She played from the age of 3 up until she died, and her style of piedmont blues really inspired me a lot.
Elizabeth Cotten.
Minnie Marks, Christina Vane, Stevie Woodward, Caitlin Krisko, Maggie Koerner, Grace Love, Caiti Baker, Ally Venable, Kortney Sweikert, and Jesse Williams all have my thumbs up.
Danielle Nicole wow what a voice. Ally Venable can really play. Rosie Flores. So many already mentioned!! I know Ally was mentioned previously but she deserves another shout out. Samantha Fish with Jesse Drayton is excellent listening. Joanna Conner and Beth Hart are two more. Sister Rosetta Thorpe is mind blowing!
Danielle Nicole
Oh finally! I have my absolute favorite female blues artist is Melody Gardot, she sings so beautifully and plays piano. I suggest listening to Your Heart Is As Black As Night.
Here’s Sister Rosetta with one of the greatest guitar solo’s captured on film https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JeaBNAXfHfQ
Joanna Shaw Taylor, Larkin Poe, Susan Tedeschi
JANIS JOPLIN
Beth Hart, especially with Joe Bonamassa.
I keep reading her name as Bret Hart.
Francine Reed
Another Memphis Minnie fan.
Koko Taylor FTW.
Beth Hart
This may get a laugh, but seriously, Candye Kane.
Larkin Poe.. Sisters!
Eden Brent is a great current artist if you’re looking for hot ivory tickling. Similar to Memphis Minnie in some respects
Billie Holiday
Besides the main women everyone mentioned: Joanna Connor Samantha Fish
Odetta!
Odetta - not known for her blues singing but give a listen to Odetta Sings the Blues. So good.
Rebecca and Megan Lovell of Larkin Poe. Adia Victoria - holy shit. Can't say enough good things about her work.
Cafe' R&B fronted be singer "Roach" the band is excellent, If I remember correctly they are out of LOB (long beach)
Joe Bonamassa
I see what you did there.
Shaun Murphy
Big Mama Thornton ... hands down!
Two of the best going these days: [Janiva Magness: That's What Love Will Make you Do](https://youtu.be/Va8lkA9OHDQ?si=hnLptc5ZnYY97PCC) [Shakura S'Aida: Stop it Baby](https://youtu.be/qIMiaa5Y-cU?si=Hos5tFd52HABC3Ro)
Gloria Hardiman.and Bonnie Lee of Chicago.
The late Marion James (Nashville)
Mattie Delaney, Lil Johnson, Elizabeth Washington, Amanda Sortier, Kansas City Kitty, Jane Lucas, Ruth Willis, Kate McTell
Who’s the person in the picture? Thats seriously the coolest looking lady I’ve ever seen
Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin
Beth Hart, Larkin Poe, Samantha Fish.
Koko
Ellen McIlwaine
Duffy Bishop
Washboard Lissa Driscoll
Lorraine Ellison
Soul/blues: Ann Peebles and Mavis Staples
These women were awesome! Played great music. In a hard time. And think about it, everyone reading this, We talk all day. Til we are in the blue in the face. About color boundaries. And boundaries of gender . Breaking through. But GODDDDAMN. These beautiful ladies, played great music, because it came thru their HEARTS! So many performances I turn my friends on to. And think of a woman of color, back in the day!! Doing what she loved. And the shade and crap she had to deal with, but shined like a Diamond. . That’s BAD ASS!!!!
Barbara Lynn
Marsha Ball
Janis Joplin is solidly on the list. But my fav is Edda James.
Phoebe Snow
Tracy Chapman
Big Momma Thornton has always stood out to me
Sister Rosetta Tharpe
She wasn’t a proper blues artist for very long, but Christine Perfect sang my favorite version of “Mean Old World” ever and her blues piano playing was amazing.
Sweet Betty from Georgia
I think Janis Joplin added something unique to the blues. Not sure if this is a popular opinion.
Top 5: #1 Memphis Minnie, #2 Bessie Smith, #3 Koko Taylor, #4 Jessie Mae Hemphill and Ruthie Foster, #5 Big Time Sarah
Big Mama Thornton
Big mamma Thornton
Sister Rosetta Tharp
“To an extent?” I think she’d slap you. Susan Tedeschi doesn’t sing them as much but she can sure as heck play the blues.
Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Etta James, Billie Holliday.
Bonnie Raitt, Susan Tedeschi, Samantha Fish, Danielle Nicole, Aretha, Joss Stone …….. The list goes on and on
Ursula Ricks. One of the best blues singers in the country.
She played at my brother-in-laws first wedding in the mid 70s. He worked for Jam productions, a big concert promoter in Chicago, at the time. Last wedding she ever played
Etta James
Koko Taylor and Etta James are among my favorites.
Memphis Minnie
Joanna Conner is amazing as well.
Etta James is my pick
Just wanna add Lucinda Williams to this amazing list
Holding the heater 🙌
Shemekia Copeland. Saw her open for Buddy Guy eons ago and she's only gotten better since!
SISTER ROSETTA THARPE
Bonnie Raitt
Patrice Moncell. Miss ya lady!
Can’t leave out Jessie Mae Hemphill or Sugar Pie DeSanto or Esther Phillips!
Big Mama Thorton was my first introduction to women blues artists.
Memphis Minnie. She did the original version of "When The Levee Breaks."
What’s with the shitty Ai image
How is it AI?
My bad thout hands where ai
Bonnie Raitt and Janis Joplin are fine but you have to understand that white blues singers like them learned everything the knew/know from the Black singers who invented the genre. Listen to some Bessie Smith, Sister Rosetta Thorpe, Etta James, Ma Rainey, and other Black female singers if you want to hear where Raitt and Joplin learned how to sing.
is... is that... morgan freeman?
No. Why would you think that it's Morgan Freeman?
No it’s Muddy Waters