WOMAD

Fontella Bass

From United States

2001 Biography"Rescue me and take me in your arms....RESCUE ME!" How many unstable angst-ridden adolescents have had their sanity rescued on the dancefloor by that line. Fontella Bass’ 1965 soul classic ‘Rescue Me’ has remained a constant source of inspiration and dancefloor ecstasy through decades of changing tastes and fashions. The fact that the song was the only national hit for the legendary Chicago blues label Chess Records in the whole of the 1960s is also remarkable. Fontella Bass was born and nurtured in St Louis, Missouri, the midwest cradle of blues, gospel and jazz. Both her mother and grandmother were gospel singers and after Fontella scaled down her showbiz commitments at the end of the 1960s to devote more time to her family, she chose to concentrate on the ‘sacred music’ that she still feels most comfortable with. The list of Fontella’s collaborators and mentors over the years is impressive, starting with husband Lester Bowie, lynchpin of avant garde American black music in the 60s and 70s, and moving on to blues legends Little Milton, Albert King, Bobby McLure, and Tina Turner.Fontella’s latest platter ‘Everlasting Arms’ is a solo voice and piano offering of rare power and beauty. If life’s been a bit of a struggle and you’re in need of a little spiritual lift, then there’s no better rescue service than Fontella Bass.Biography by Andy Morgan, May 20012001 Short Biography:One of America’s finest gospel soul voices, Fontella Bass and her single ‘Rescue Me’ remains one of soul music’s enduring classics. Fontella Bass is on top vocal form with a hot new backing band and she will lift the proverbial roof on Sunday evening at Rivermead.