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 the electric blues, Chicago, to becoming the vibrant global musical movement it is today. In addition, there are exclusive interviews with dozens of the women leading the Blues today.

Featuring selected highlights from Chicago blues photographer Jennifer Noble's extensive colour collection.

Compiled by Jennifer Noble with an introduction by acclaimed music writer Zoe Howe, it provides exclusive interviews with over 30 extraordinary women who take the blues to new heights today.

Includes biographies of legendary blues singers:

Mamie Smith, Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Memphis Minnie, Sippie Wallace, Victoria Spivey, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Big Mama Thornton, Etta James, Mavis Staples, Janis Joplin and Bonnie Raitt

Features interviews with:

Barbara Blue, Kyla Brox, Barbara Carr, Joanna Connor, Shemekia Copeland, Debbie Davies, Thornetta Davis, Deitra Farr, Ivy Ford, Ruthie Foster, Dana Gillespi, Tia Gouttebel, Diunna Greenleaf, Anne Harris, Uvee Hayes, Lynne Jordan, Mary Lane, Larkin Poe, Grana' Louise, Connie Lush, Annie Mack, Liz Mandeville, Lisa Mann, Kate Moss, Terrie Odabi, Do a Oxford, Kat Pearson, Kat Riggins, Chick Rodgers, Jackie Scott, Sister Cookie, Peaches Staten, Susan Tedeschi, Irma Thomas, Nellie "Tiger" Travis, Teeny Tucker, Nora Jean Wallace, Dawn Tyler Watson