LABELLE AND BLACK FEMALE ROCKERS

Check out this list of some great songs by black female rock singers.

Coincidentally, I've been on a big Labelle kick lately. (No, I'm not gay, this shit is just good music!) Patti's voice is crazy, of course. But for those of you who only know her from "On My Own," "New Attitude," etc., think again. In the early 70s, she and Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash were Labelle, a space-age funk outfit best known for their monster hit "Lady Marmalade." Start with their classic LP Nightbirds or their best-of collection Something Silver, which includes some hot early cover versions of songs ranging from the Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again" to Gil Scott-Heron's "The Revolution Won't Be Televised" to Cat Stevens' "Moonshadow." (Note: I've heard great things about this band for a while, but I only recently delved into their catalogue, thanks to my friend Eric. Good looking out, EP!)

Going back to the list, I've long been hip to Betty Davis who, apart from Tina Turner, is the archetypal figure in this fierce-and-funky-black-female-rock-singer sound. And I agree with the writer that Bettye LaVette's recent "Joy" (originally by Lucinda Williams) is an absolutely killer track. I admit I know nothing about Joyce Kennedy and her group Mother's Finest. Worth checking out?

Ps: Also, is it just me or does Labelle's "Nightbird" share a melodic element with Neil Young's "Old Man"?