Whilst names such as Ruth Brown, Big Mama Thornton, Etta James, Big Maybelleand Lavern Baker may bring a nod of recognition amongst music fans, they are just the tip of the iceberg. From the post-war period of the late 40s through to the soul years of the early 60s, hundreds of raw R&B records, featuring gutsy, wild female vocalists, were issued. Tough Chicks is an ongoing series devoted to uncovering and celebrating these forgotten gems