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DETROIT WOMEN
Rattle Your Cage
Silk City LPD2023
Grammy-nominated Kate Hart returned to her native Detroit in 2002 and formed this all-star revue based on the success of her group Seattle Women. The Detroit Women follow a similar format where each singer receives a turn as lead soloist while the others provide back-up vocals. This, their debut CD, was recorded live in August 2004 at Memphis Smoke in Royal Oak, Michigan. Support is provided by the four-piece Motor City Express.
The 13 songs are mostly soul, R&B and blues covers. Most of the women perform lead vocals on two songs each. Based on the opening, you know you're in for a stormy ride. Strongest Weakness displays rough and most bluesy vocals courtesy of Arkansas-born Lady T. Later, she gets nasty on Barbara Carr's Bone Me Like you Own Me. I'd Rather Go Blind proves hard to cover for Kathi McDonald, although she delivers emotional vocals. Two Plays For a Quarter is an origninal by the ensemble's leader Hart, featuring her full-bodied vocals. The modern R&B sounding Paradise exhibits Canadian Elena Papillo's youthful voice. Rhonda Bantsimba's version of When Something Is Wrong With My Baby causes shivers.
The revue-style CD comes across well as a complete package. The divas perform in collaboration as opposed to a competition. Greater things are bound to be coming for these Detroit dynamos.
- By Tim Holek
"Wanted to let you know that I received the disc's you sent & say thanks for doing so. I played Kate Hart's "Good Rockin Daddy"... I thought that was only fitting. There is another program, here at KPFT that I'm going to make sure has a copy for airplay. They have a women's segment so I know they would love the opportunity to give it a spin. Thanks again for giving me the chance to share your wonderful music with my listeners. The project exudes "Sassitude". More spins to follow ... Now the question is, when are you going to make your way to Houston?"... - The Blues Hound
DETROIT WOMEN, Rattle Your Cage, Silk City Records . . . "It shouldn't surprise anyone that a group of blueswomen from Detroit are more tough than tender. The eight-person vocal group Detroit Women, backed by a four-piece band and a few guests take turns singing lead and provide background during their moments out of the spotlight. They know how to belt a bawdy blues song. . . . Originals include Hart's "Two Plays for a Quarter," a tribute to blues-filled jukeboxes that's one of the set's most infectious songs."
- Mike Cote
"The main attraction is Hart's lung power, which blasts out every number with impressive authority..the players are solid.".. - Geoffry Hines, The Washington Post
"As previously predicted, there weren't a lot of new blues acts to discover at the South by Southwest Music Conference, but there was no shortage of live talent deserving attention. First time Austin visitors, Kate Hart and the Bluestars, from Seattle, earned an enthusiastic response for a hard working set."... - Michael Point, Austin American Statesman
Discography
2008 Alone Again with Friends, Kate Hart with The Doug Deming Big Band, Artist, Indie.
2008 Emily Rose/Back Up Vocals.
2008 Vocal Warm-up For Men, Artist/Producer.
2007 Vocal Warm-up for Women, Artist/Producer.
2008 Vocal Warm-up For Kids, Artist/Producer.
2007 Sassitude, Detroit Women, Artist/ Producer, DWMC Music.
2006 Sock it To Me Santa, Detroit Women, Artist/ Producer, DWMC Music.
2005 Rattle Your Cage, Detroit Women, Artist/ Producer, Silk City Records.
2004 Live at Memphis Smoke, Detroit Women, Silk City Records.
2000 Lucy Mongrel, Kate Hart, Artist/Producer, Joerecords.
1999 We Are Not Good Girls, Part 2, Seattle Women Artist/Producer, Joerecords.
1999 Backporch Gossip, Seattle Women, Artist Producer, Joerecords.
1999 Queen of the Night, Kate Hart, Artist, joerecords.
1996 Rollercoaster, L.J. Porter.
1994 We Are Not Good Girls Part 1, Seattle Women.
1993 Aint Gonna Cry No More, Kate Hart, Joerecords.
1992 Seattle Rhythm and Blues Compilation, Producer/Artist, Axiom Records.
1991 Duffy Bishop, First American Records.
1990 Tonight I want it All, Kate Hart, Biograph Records.
1990 Two Plays for A Quarter, Kate Hart, Criminal Records.
1989 Gossip, Seattle Women, Joerecords.
1972 Syncopated Love, Kate Hart, Stag Records.
1970 Wishing Well, Kate Hart, Don B Records.
Photos
Bio
4 Time Grammy nominee, Kate Hart's journey began when she was a 17 year-old singing in her hometown of Detroit, Michigan. Shortly thereafter, she moved to Chicago and began absorbing the music of the musicians heard on the Southside. Several years later, Kate returned to Detroit to write and record her first hit song, Syncopated Love, on the Stag label. Kate packed her belongings and headed west. She began singing many musical formats from Swing to Jazz to Be-Bop to Blues to Theatre.
Shortly after, Kate put together a band called the Bluestars. Playing to packed houses with such stars as Roy Orbison, Leon Russell, Bo Diddley, Etta James, Charlie Musselwhite, Joe Louis Walker, Savoy Brown, Lydia Pense, Mary Wells, Booker T & the MG's, Queen Ida, Dorothy Moore and many more. In 1990, Kate signed with the prestigious label, Biograph Records, and released her first album, "Tonight I Want It All". She signed a management agreement with Dick Waterman (who directed the careers of such notables as Bonnie Raitt, Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells and Son House). Dick came out of "managerial retirement" to work with the talented and gutsy Kate Hart. Several years later she released Queen of the Night on joerecords.com. While Kate was pursuing her solo career, in 1985 she put together an all-star revue, called "Seattle Women" featuring some of the best blues singers in the world and took the regional festival scene by storm. Her distinctive vocals can be heard with Seattle Women on their CD's "We Are Not Good Girls" and "Back Porch Gossip".
Kate returned to Detroit in 2003 after touring through the area the year prior and fell in love with the area. Within the first year of establishing herself as a Detroit Native, Kate received nominations from the Detroit Music Awards for her solo pursuits and won several awards for her group Detroit Women who took the top award of the evening for "Best Live Performance". In their second year, the group took a record 13 Detroit Music Awards.
2007 Nominated for 10 Detroit Music Awards.
Winner of the 2004, 2005 & 2006 Detroit Music Awards for Outstanding Rhythm and Blues Band, Outstanding Rhythm and Blues Recording and Outstanding Live Performance.
2006 Tour filmed for documentary with Emmy-Award-winning director.
Featured on Americas Thanksgiving Parade viewed by 100 million households.
2005 Detroit Music Awards recipient for Outstanding Blues Songwriter.
2004- Detroit Music Awards recipient for Outstanding Blues Songwriter and nominated for Outstanding Blues Vocalist.
Performed at the Superbowl for the NFL owners and players!
Performed National Anthem on Fan Appreciation Day for the Detroit Tigers.
After only one year after moving back to Detroit, included as one of the influential musical artist in the Metro times 100 year musical genealogy chart.
Featured in national publications such as Living Blues Magazine, Blues Revue Magazine, Blues Wax and Blues Beat.
Featured on one-hour television show with Olympic Figure skating and Christmas tree lighting in Detroit.
Took part in national womens charity event and included in upcoming womens feature film.
Partnered with film company, Streetlamp Studios.
Penned and starred in play, We Are Not Good Girls, which ran in major theatres in Detroit and Seattle.
Featured on Nationally Syndicated Radio shows and receiving airplay all over the world.
Launched Detroit Women clothing line along with national merchandising campaign mentored by NGI who also handle Dolly Parton, Wynonna, Alan Jackson and Garth Brooks.
Added to the Detroit Public Librarys catalogue of music.
Artist of the Week 2003 Detroit News.
Grammy nomination 2002 for Lucy Mongrel Best New Artist.
Grammy nomination 2002 for Lucy Mongrel Best New Album (Alternative).
Bulldog Award 2001 Performer of the Year.
1997-2002 Penned / featured in Blues musical, We Are Not Good Girls.
NAMA Awards 1992 Recipient for Best Blues Recording.
NAMA Awards 1992 Recipient for Best Blues Band.
Grammy nomination 1991 for Best Blues Album (Biograph Records).
Grammy nomination 1991 for Best New Artist.
W.C. Handy Awards 1991 Nomination for Entertainer of the Year.
W.C. Handy Awards 1991 Nomination for Best Blues Recording.
W.C. Handy Awards 1991 Nomination for Female Blues Artist.
W.C. Handy Awards 1991 Nomination for Vocalist of the Year.
Muddy Awards 1991 Best Female Blues Singer.
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