THORNETTA DAVIS
HONEST WOMAN
SWEET MAMA MUSIC
WHEN MY SISTER SINGS THE BLUES–I GOTTA SANG THE BLUES–THAT DON’T APPEASE ME–SET ME FREE–AM I JUST A SHADOW–I NEED A WHOLE LOTTA LOVIN TO SATISFY ME–I’D RATHER BE ALONE–I BELIEVE (EVERYTHING GONNA BE ALRIGHT)–SISTER FRIENDS INDEED–GET UP AND DANCE AWAY YOUR BLUES–CAN WE DO IT AGAIN–HONEST WOMAN–FEELS LIKE RELIGION
She’s got the sass of Eartha Kitt, the wang dang doodle of Koko Taylor, and the Sunday-morning fire of Aretha. She is one of Detroit’s finest blueswomen, Thornetta Davis. Her latest set is entitled “Honest Woman,” twelve originals and one cut written and sung by her sister Felicia, all which explore her deep roots in blues, R & B, and gospel.
Leading off is Felicia, who’s backed by the lonesome slide guitar of Brett Lucas, as sis tells us that “When My Sister Sings The Blues, she sings like Bessie Smith and Sippie Wallace!” It segues’ into Thornetta’s autobiographical “I Gotta Sang The Blues,” fueled by harp and duet vocals from Kim Wilson!
In the tradition of contemporary artists such as Nellie Travis and Denise LaSalle, she gives a cheatin’ lover the boot, as “your sorry’s ain’t sincere,” and “That Don’t Appease Me.” She gets her slow-groove on and tells another one that “I’d Rather Be Alone than be lonely with you!” This one’s full of sass and brass, with a cool spoken-word intro.
She turns in a fine N’ Awlins-flavored story about the fact that “I Need A Whole Lotta Lovin’ To Satisfy Me,” and rides the gospel blinds of the endless boogie of “I Believe Everything Gonna Be Alright.”
We had two favorites, too. Thornetta visits classic soul with the title cut, finally giving up one-night-stands and “Mr. Good Time” for the true love that made an “Honest Woman out of me!” And, the horn section and backing chorus over Thornetta’s jumpin’ vocal orders us all to “get on up and Dance Away Your Blues!”
Thornetta Davis has been a driving force on the Detroit blues scene for over twenty-five years . She’s got a great voice and a style that pleases crowds everywhere she plays, while staying true to her blues roots. That qualifies her a a sho’ nuff “Honest Woman!” Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow.
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