Includes bibliographical references (p. [277]-296) and index
Bad women, the early years : Mamie Desdoumes, Sophie Tucker, Mamie Smith, and Ma Rainey -- The air and how to fill it : Bessie Smith, blues singer -- Jazz noir : Billie Holiday -- The devil and the deep blue sea : Etta James and Aretha Franklin -- The great Saturday night swindle : Tina Turner and Janis Joplin -- Blues attitude