Sweet Claudette - Vocals, Songwriter, Bookings, Promoter
Sweet Claudette (Harrell) qualifies herself as one who gives the blues, but never gets them and sings the blues, but never has them. Her memories of Heflin, Alabama and life in Royal Oak Township, Michigan where many transplanted southerner’s lives gave her a boost toward the materials in her CDs.
Like many other artist Detroit’s Motor City blues singer Sweet Claudette has been one of the nation’s best-kept secrets, but word is finally starting to spread. Claudette’s songs depict her life and experiences better than any autobiography could. Sweet Claudette originals are given to her personal slant on the blues. Other folk live their own personal sagas’ and Sweet Claudette don’t mind writing and singing their stories too.
Sweet Claudette has written, produced and released 26 self-penned songs. Freelance writer George Seedorf, for the Big City Rhythm & Blues Magazine, says it something like this -- her songs contain real life witty lyrics, quirky, unforgettable, fine funky blues with a big city drawl and down-home pedigree, laced volumes of truth, smooth, easy listening, to funky, driving, and sometimes laid back urban style of blues with a unique edge, just the way you want it. It’s a mouthful, but you get it all from Sweet Claudette in her originals or covers.
Sweet Claudette is a singer who can give you blues straight up, with no chaser if you like it raw, low down and dirty. Or she can massage your soul with a cover tune or one of her original urban style ballads, or deliver a good hard rocking, scorching, soulful song.
"Sweet Claudette is to lyrics what Thelonious Monk was to the ivories - rich, eccentric and brilliant. Claudette is a blues angel who can write one quirky and unforgettable song after another. Buy this album if you are a blues aficionado. Or, even more to the point, buy this album if you are a blues performer and need some great new songs to polish your act. Sweet Claudette has turned her back on Maytag's, but she sure is cookin' up a storm these days. Looking for fine, fine, funky blues with a big city drawl and a down-home pedigree? You've come to the right joint. This sweet lady surrounds herself with nothing but legendary session players who are in high demand worldwide." --(George Seedorf, writer) Big City Blues (national magazine)
"Sweet Claudette (Harrell) has an interesting voice ... low, breathy, but at the same time strong and clear. Like coffee or cigarettes, it's an acquired taste, but one which, once acquired, will have you hooked."
---(Barbara Scott) Blues Review (Detroit)
Sweet Claudette is "an in your face" performer.
Discography
1) Linament & Collard Greens, 1999, 6 originals, 4 covers
2) Aint Gonna Wash Your Dirty Clothes, 2001, 10 originals
3) Sending You To Man School, 2004, 9 originals, 1 endorsement
4) Live & Kickin', 2007, 1 original 13 party jazz, funk, blues, & rocking covers
Accolades & Festivals:
a. 12/xx/96 -- Induction to Wall of Fame, Attic Bar Hamtramck, Michigan
b. 6/27/04 -- Hasting Street Galleries, Induction to Hand Print Walk of Fame
c. 3/19/05 -– 2005 Alabama Women Of The Blues artist (Tuscaloosa, AL) Jupiter Lounge
d. 5/28/05 & 5/27/06 Willie King Freedom Creek Festival, Aliceville, Alabama
e. 9/05 -- Little Willie's Lounge - Tuscaloosa, AL
f. 9/05 -- Magic City Blues Festival, Birmingham, AL
g. 6/05 -- Hot Blues & BBQ Festival, Oxford, MI
h. Pontiac Arts, Beats & Eats 9/06
i. Detroit Winter Blast, Downtown 2/10/07
j. Ferndale Blues Festival 2001, '03
k. Trenton’s Scarecrow Festival 2001, '03, '04
l. Port Huron Jazz & Blues Fest 2000 - 2006
m. Woodward Avenue Dream Cruise 2001-2003. 2005-06
n. Hamtramck Labor Day Festival 2000, 2004