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Intro: Gail Nobles
Story by: Gail Nobles
I wanna tell ya about a blues lady who's got the blues in her bones and the soul in her voice. Her name's Thornetta Davis, and she's a Detroit blues and rhythm and blues singer.
This ain't no fly-by-night singer, see? This woman's paid her dues in the Motor City and beyond. She's opened for legends like Bonnie Raitt, Gladys Knight, and the queen herself, Etta James! Yeah, she's been rollin' with the best! She even laid down some backing vocals for Bob Seger, you dig? She's worked with everybody from that Kid Rock fella to the late, great Alberta Adams.
And Davis ain't just a sideman, she's a star in her own right! Three solo albums under her belt, and the trophies? Forget about it! The Detroit Music Awards love this lady! Outstanding Blues Artist, Outstanding Blues/R&B Vocalist...she's swept the joint multiple times.
She's a winner - I tell you! And then she moved up to National Awards. She was nominated for a Blues Music Award in 2017 for her 'Honest Woman' album, and in 2023, she took home the Blues Music Award for 'Soul Blues Female Artist of the Year'!
Now, let me tell ya about one of her tracks off that "Honest Woman" album, a song called "Am I Just a Shadow." This ain't just some bubblegum pop tune, kiddies. This is raw emotion, poured straight from the heart.
The lyrics, they hit you right in the gut:
"You take me in, keep me from the rest, you lock me away inside your walls of indecision..."
She's singin' about a cat who's got her trapped, see? He ain't sure about her, keeps her on a short leash.
"I don't know why you feel the need, to cut my heart and watch it bleed. Is that your way to make me pay for her deceptions?"
This cat's carryin' baggage from some past woman, and he's makin' Thornetta pay for it. He's playin' head games. It ain't right!
Then comes the chorus, and it's a killer:
"Do you really know me? Or, am I just a shadow? (Just a shadow) Of someone who reminds you of that someone not to love (Not to love)"
The lyrics are askin' the big question - Does this guy even see her for who she is? Or is she just a reminder of some old flame, some old heartache? This is the real deal when it comes to love! It's raw, it's honest, and it's the kind of soul-stirring stuff that'll make you wanna light a cigarette and stare into the darkness.
Thornetta Davis, man, she's keepin' the blues alive. Check her out - you won't regret it! She's a true queen of the blues, puttin' her heart and soul into every note!
That's all I got for ya, folks! Keep the faith and keep on rockin'! I'm Gail Nobles. Thank you for listening to Podcast and Blues.
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