I Got Thunder

Book excerpt: 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.