Australian singer Mahalia Barnes, daughter of former Cold Chisel star Jimmy Barnes, has teamed up with guitarist Joe Bonamassa to release a tribute album to funk singer Betty Davis. Ooh Yea The Betty Davis Song Book will be released on February 23. Davis, the wife of jazz trumpeter Miles Davis, released a trio of much sought-after funk albums between 1973 and 1975.
“I have been a fan of Betty Davis for years now,” says Barnes. “I can remember the first time I heard her stuff, I was hooked! She is wild, free, nasty, raw, funky, intense, powerful and sexy. I love the instrumentation, I love the backing vocals. I’ve always wanted to make a record that sounds like what she was doing.
“Making this album was a real joy. I love the realness. Recording it the way we did kept it really exciting and raw - no tricks or fix ups, old school and real. A perfect take is one that means something and feels great.”
The collaboration came about after Mahalia played some Betty Davis tracks to producer Kevin Shirley (Joe Bonamassa, Journey, Divinyls) who suggested they record the album and invited Bonamassa to be part of the process.
**Track listing **If I’m In Luck I Might Get Picked Up Steppin’ In Her I. Miller Shoes In The Meantime He Was A Big Freak Your Mama Wants You Back Game Is My Middle Name Nasty Gal Ooh Yea You Won’t See Me In The Morning Anti-Love Song Walking Up The Road Shoo-B-Doop And Cop Him
