Barbera Dane - Im On My Way (2013)

Barbara Dane (1927) started her musical career in folk music and traditional jazz circles in the mid Forties, first in her native Detroit and then in San Francisco, where in 1954 she came into contact with some local jazz revivalists, including trombonist Bob Mielke and banjo player Dick Oxtot. During her high school years, she had received training as an operatic contralto, but Mielke and Oxtot encouraged her to probe further into the blues with their band, the Bearcats. From the time she first stirred interest among aficionados and critics in San Francisco, she developed into virtually the only white singer of classic blues at the time. Both albums here, made in Los Angeles, where she moved to in 1958, show her in excellent company. On Livin with the Blues (1959), she belts out her message in an all-star group conducted by pianist Earl Hines. It is interesting to hear the splendid trumpet work of Benny Carter, Shelly Manne playing traditional drums, and Plas Johnson soloing to good effect in this context.
On My Way (1962) also presents a different side of Miss Dane s expressiveness: a deep and fervent spirituality as fundamental as her blues. Her accompanying group included pianist and cornet player Kenny Whitson, whose performance simultaneously in both instruments is astonishing, particularly on cornet. Barbara Dane is more than a singer, she is also a guitarist, passionately dedicated researcher, friend of forgotten pioneers, and sponsor of unpopular causes.