I Got Thunder: Black Women Songwriters on Their Craft

In this often fascinating, nostalgic, and thoroughly moving collection of 20 interviews, author LaShonda Katrice Barnett offers a rare glimpse into the careers of the world's prominent black women performing singers and songwriters. Marking an unprecedented exploration of the musical styles and careers of twenty black women performing songwriters, I Got Thunder represents practically all genres-folk, jazz, neo soul, hip-hop, rhythm and blues, and traditional blues. Barnett's interviews are accompanied by brief biographies and selected discographies for each of the influential artists included.Discussing their influences, inspirations and creative processes are: Abbey Lincoln, Angelique Kidjo, Brenda Russell, Chaka Khan, Dianne Reeves, Dionne Warwick, Joan Armatrading, Miriam Makeba, Narissa Bond, Nina Simone, Nona Hendryx, Odetta, Oleta Adams, Pamela Means, Patti Cathcart Andress (of Tuck & Patti), Shemekia Copeland, Shirley Caesar, Tokunbo Akinro, Toshi Reagon, and Tramaine Hawkins.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1568583311
• ISBN13: 9781568583310
• Release Date: October 2007
• Publisher: Thunder's Mouth Press
• Length: 330 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 0.8" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

An important, entertaining, and perfectly crafted homage to some of our most important artists

I absolutely love this book. LaShonda Barnett has a true gift for performing interviews--her intelligence and her respect for these artists is conveyed in every word. For the artists with which I'm more familiar, I don't think I've ever had such intimate glimpses into the hearts and minds of how their "crafts" work. This really is a first rate, one-of-a-kind collection. I hope there are more volumes to come.

I love this book!!!

These are some of my favorite singers and Lashonda Barnett does a perfect job of paying tribute to some of the best singers we have today. The Odetta interview had me completely entranced. A must read for any music lover.