Sue Foley’s One Guitar Woman – A Solo Acoustic Tribute to Guitar’s Pioneering Women

Review By Glen Parkes

With One Guitar Woman, Sue Foley delivers an acoustic homage to legendary female guitarists, spanning a tapestry of genres, emotions, and styles that highlight her own remarkable talent. This album isn’t just a collection of songs; it’s a personal exploration of music’s past, bringing forgotten voices and lesser-known techniques into the spotlight. Foley’s admiration for these women is apparent in every note and lyric, crafting a tribute that feels both reverent and refreshing.

Foley opens with a cover of Elizabeth Cotten’s “Oh Babe It Ain’t No Lie,” capturing Cotten’s delicate yet forceful fingerpicking. Her rendition of “Lonesome Homesick Blues” honors Maybelle Carter with an elegant version that echoes the “Carter Scratch,” while her original piece, “Maybelle’s Guitar,” celebrates Carter’s lasting influence on country music. Foley’s deep respect for Lydia Mendoza also shines through in “Mal Hombre,” where her playing conveys the emotional weight of Mendoza’s lyrics.

The album moves seamlessly across genres and techniques. From the haunting “Motherless Child Blues” by Elvie Thomas to the Flamenco-inspired “La Malagueña,” Foley’s guitar mastery is unmistakable. “My Journey to the Sky” nods to Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s gospel roots, while “Last Kind Words Blues” by Geeshie Wiley brings the raw spirit of Southern blues to the forefront.

Foley’s attention to detail is remarkable; she doesn’t merely play these pieces—she brings the artists’ spirits alive with each strum and pluck. Arrangements like “Romance in A Minor” and her reimagining of “Freight Train” (Cotten) give the album both classical depth and folk simplicity, blending the styles with ease.

What makes One Guitar Woman especially powerful is how Foley allows herself to be transformed by the history she’s exploring. In her liner notes, Foley reflects on the challenges these women faced, noting that their resilience inspired her to “reach higher.” This album not only honors their legacies but serves as Foley’s personal journey, merging her contemporary blues voice with the historical spirit of guitar music.

In the end, One Guitar Woman is not just an album; it’s a soulful tribute that enriches the country blues and folk traditions, with Foley guiding listeners through an emotional landscape where every track resonates as a celebration of artistry and resilience.