Welcome to my overview of women in country music, with reviews ranging from folk and bluegrass to honkytonk, rockabilly and Nashville pop. This is the first page covering the letter "I."
Patty Ihm & Harley Ihm "Cowboys And Lovers" (LCM Records, 19--?)
(Produced by Don Silvers)
A Canadian duo who came to Nashville to record... The songs are all written by Harley Ihm, including the regionally-themed "Canada Cowboy." The backing band -- which included Richard Carpenter on drums, Mel Deal (dobro and steel guitar), Doug Hall (bass) and Tom McCallister playing fiddle and lead guitar -- doesn't seem to have been Nashville usual suspects. The Ihms later seem to have become inspirational lecturers and authors, each publishing their own books. Anyone out there have more info about these two?
Toni Ingraham "This Is Toni Ingraham" (Artists Recording Studios, 1976-?) (LP)
(Produced by Junior Bennett)
California-born singer Toni Ingraham had a background in pop/big band vocals, including gigs with bandleaders such as Ray Anthony and Esquivel while playing Vegas and the hotel circuit... In the 'Seventies, though, she "went country" and switched to playing state fairs and rodeos. This album is an all-hits set of country covers, specializing in chart-toppers originally sung by female artists: "Funny Face," "Top Of The World," "Happiest Girl In The USA," "Teddy Bear," "No Charge," et. al. To be honest, I found her vocals a little lacking in oomph, but it's a decent snapshot of a working, ground-level country artist. The backing band, led by fiddler Junior Bennett, seems to have been all Cincinnati locals -- guys like Denny Rice, Gary Toy and Brownie Mannett -- though I'm not sure if Ms. Ingraham was living in the Midwest when she cut this album.
Toni Ingraham "More Of Toni Ingraham" (Sunset Records, 1977-?) (LP)
Well, she made at least one other record, though I'm not sure when it came out. The catalog number and the cover photo suggest 1977, although the set list really seems from much earlier. There are early '70s hits such as "Delta Dawn" (1972) and "Let Me Be There" (1973) and several from 1975 -- "Before The Next Teardrop Falls" (1975), "I'm Not Lisa" (1975), and "When Will I Be Loved," an Everly Brothers oldie that was a hit for Linda Ronstadt in '75. Maybe they had some stuff sitting in the vaults? Although she kept some back-east roots, with this album being pressed in Cincinnati, her label's address was in Vegas, and that seems to have been her base of operations for most of the 'Seventies and early 'Eighties. Ingraham had some success nationally, recording at least one single for RCA Victor, circa 1975, and even had headshots done for the label by a studio in Hollywood, but chart success eluded her. She also toured in California, and may have retired around LA, though I'm not 100% certain about that. Sadly, no info about the musicians backing her here, or who produced this album.
The Troy Irving Trio "To Get To You" (Moon Records, 19--?) (LP)
Born and raised in Chariton, Iowa, Troy Irving (1940-2019) worked all kinds of jobs -- feed store manager, insurance salesman, used car lot owner, and musician. He and his wife Carolyn formed a band in the mid-1970s and recorded this album with Mr. Irving on lead vocals, her on drums and a guy identified simply as "Jean" playing lead guitar and steel. An uber-indie DIY release, this disc sadly includes no information about where or when it was made, who produced it, or if any other musicians played on it. The Irvings moved to Kissimmee, Florida in 1976 and may have recorded this album there, or while still living in Iowa. The repertoire is mostly country standards, stuff like "Drinkin' Champagne," "Good Times," "Help Me Make It Through The Night" and "Last Date," and "Steel Guitar Rag." A few tracks may have been originals; the instrumental showcase, "Jean's Boogie," almost certainly was. The Irvings also released at least one single, "Cryin's Not The Answer"/"Tommy In Ted," which features two apparently original songs which were not included on this LP. Other than that, this group remains a real mystery.
Catherine Irwin "Cut Yourself A Switch" (Thrill Jockey Records, 2002)
A stripped-down solo effort by one of Freakwater's leading lights. As with that pioneering twangcore band's more clattersome albums, this is rough-edged and uneasy musicmaking; Irwin's mournful, mid-tempo approach doesn't vary much, and it doesn't invite the listener to take this is as simple entertainment... Irwin conjures the bleakness of old Jimmie Rodgers tunes, as well as the sincerity and humanity of the Carter Family (particularly on her fine version of their "Will You Miss Me When I'm Gone..." Despite the lack of singalong accessibility, this disc stands out as intelligent and well-informed countrifying, a dreary downer of an album, to be sure, but still more interesting than most. If you like Freakwater, then you oughta check this out as well.
Catherine Irwin "Little Heater" (Thrill Jockey Records, 2012)
Another weird, unruly, mesmerizing album from Catherine Irwin, co-founder of the legendary Ameri-twang-icana band, Freakwater. Like their old stuff, this isn't for everyone. Irwin's voice is as unconventional as her lyrics, with debts to Appalachian heroines such as Hazel Dickens and Jean Ritchie, with an urban hipster twist. Generally speaking, I have no idea what any of her songs are about, but they are curious and captivating nonetheless. Longtime fans will want to check this one out, for sure.
Sonya Isaacs "Sonya Isaacs" (Hollywood Records, 2000)
The mostly-secular solo debut of singer/mandolinist Sonya Isaacs, one of the featured soloists in the bluegrassy Southern Gospel family band, The Isaacs. This disc covers a wide variety of styles and tones, ranging from rich, satisfying modern trad-country to poppier stuff and a bit of gospel as well. The ever-impressive Dolly Parton guests on one tune, though Isaacs has plenty of oomph on her own... Pity she never followed this up with another solo set... she has a really strong, charismatic presence. (By the way, there are tons of records by the family band, as well, in addition to the "best-of" collection listed below...)
Sonya Isaacs/The Isaacs "Sonya" (Horizon Records, 2006)
This retrospective highlights songs on which Sonya Isaacs sang lead in the family band -- a wealth of religious tunes with sweet, slick production buoyed by a strong traditionalist core. If you like her solo work, this would certainly be worth checking out too.
Hillbilly Fillies - Letter "J"
Hick Music Index
Sisters Who Swung: Women In Jazz & Blues
