Women In Blues - My Precious Blues (2023) Hi-Res

For 20 years, Norway's leading female blues musicians Rita Engedalen and Margit Bakken have paid tribute to some of the strong women in the history of blues. The anniversary is celebrated and marked with the launch of a new album, a concert and the exhibition Kvinner i Kamp during the Notodden Bluesfestival's 35th anniversary in August 2023. On their new album "My Precious Blues" Engedalen and Bakken honor some of the important the women in the history of music. The album is personal and describes an encounter with strong female musical sources of inspiration.

Six of the 11 songs on "My Precious Blues" are completely new material written by Spellmansprize winner (2006) Rita Engedalen, who with her seven previous solo albums has always included her encounters with the female blues champions in her releases. One can hear recurring cries for hope and justice in her lyrics on the new album, such as on "Let the Freedom Come" and "Nobody Can Take My Soul".

"My Precious Blues" is a musical journey with songs that range from the close acoustic, to emotionally charged expressions with suggestive rhythms. Here we also hear driving blues expressions and powerful gospel moods!

The album has its own personal lyrics, as well as songs by some of the leading women of the blues.

On the road for 20 years, Damer i Blues has always had its regular guitarist Morten Omlid, one of the country's best-known blues guitarists, with a deep understanding and commitment to the authentic blues.

Rita and Margit have also traveled and got new inspiration from Amund and Henrik Maarud in Snaxville Studio. Three of the songs on the new album have been recorded here together with the brothers - which has resulted in a new and exciting musical encounter!

History's female blues pioneers have served as a great inspiration for Ladies in the Blues, and their musical heart beats warm and strong for them. This sounds good when they do their personal tributes and interpretations of some of these greats' songs.

Damer i Blues has undoubtedly gained a strong position in the blues community, and in addition to a number of concerts here at home in Norway, they have visited festivals in both Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, Italy, Germany and the USA.
They have, among other things, played at the legendary Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival in Clarksdale (2015) where they received a very warm reception for their musical project.