Various Artists
Album: Blues Harp Women
Label: RUF
Tracks: 31
Website: http://www.hermonicas.com

A thoroughly worthy labour of love then, this double CD, produced and compiled by disc jockey / host Norman Davis in tribute to the late Big Mama Thornton. "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" explains Norman, "I started wondering if there were other women who played the harmonica and why they are virtually unknown. I began searching. Eventually I found others, then more!".

"I was inspired to create a website. As I was discussing it with a friend, he mis-pronounced harmonica as "hermonica". That's it! I shouted. That's the name for the website!". So hermonicas.com was born and became what was known as the definitive site on women harmonica players. We discovered and contacted almost 200 players around the world. There was some discussion on putting an album together. As far as we know it had never been done before."

So "Blues Harp Women" was born. And although the project has taken a few years and numerous obstacles to overcome (apparently working with 30 plus artists can get very complicated!), it has to be said that Norman himself and Ruf record label boss Tom Ruf have really produced an outstanding collection that stands up not just musically, but also as a historical reference point. It is indeed a unique part of music history.

In standing up as a piece of history, then technically the quality of the music on show should really be almost irrelevant. What is fascinating with this double CD is that although by it's very nature it is a blues collection, it really does cover the full gamut of the blues spectrum and the music on offer is there on it's own merit.

The inspiration behind the album, Big Mama Thornton, lays down a fearsome groove on the instrumental "Down Home Shakedown". Her gutsy no-nonsense style jumps right out of the grooves, a vengeful energy emanating from this robust and strong willed woman. It's electrifying stuff and easy to see why Davis got excited when hearing this talented woman for the first time.

Pennsylvania harmonica player, singer and rhythm guitarist, Octavia, follows in a similar vein but with a slightly modern twist. On "Naughty Girl" her high energy performance is back up with a dirty home down sound that gives a hard edge and a vehicle for some spontaneity, which works well with the horny groove produced by her band.

Lovers of standard blues rock will also be satisfied with offerings by New Orleans' Paula Rangell and Roxy Perry from New York amongst others. Straight ahead blues rock and fine playing are the order of the day. I found these, and one or two others of a similar ilk a little too sterile for my liking. Blues doesn't have to be by numbers, and there are plenty of others on this fine collection that are bubbling with curious creativity.

"Cash Is King" by multi instrumentalist Jenny Kerr harnesses that raw 'When The Levee Breaks' vibe, and steers a multi-layered course through swamp rock, with a latent raw energy simmering just below the surface. It's an organic sound that is also a feature of the work of Australian Marion Turner on "He's Gone" and Cheryl Arena on "Blues Got Me". For me, this is where the joy of this precious little diamond is to be found. Down on the street where the blues still mean the blues.

The more authentic acoustic type blues / folk harp playing is represented well and in force. Jackie Merritt's beautiful playing and singing on "Fast Food Mama" is sharp and to the point and of course aimed at the lazy man in the protagonists life. Jane Gillman explores a similar theme in "Stuck On You". A gorgeous, lazy layer of harp over a jaunty acoustic beat and a bright vocal.

I've just picked out a few of the highlights of this wonderful collection - this is one of those albums that it's perfectly acceptable to dip in and dip out of, discovering a new gem here or re-visiting a particular favourite there. There is some outstanding talent represented here, and I feel sure given the quality on offer that it won't be too long before we're afforded a second volume.

Ken Brown
www.squarerootspromotions.co.uk