Queen of the Slide: How Joanna Connor Took Me to Church with Her Guitar
Let me tell you something straight up—Joanna Connor didn’t just change how I hear the blues. She changed how I feel it.
The first time I saw her, I didn’t even know who she was. It was a small blues club in Chicago, packed wall to wall with locals, tourists, and die-hard blues heads. Then this woman walks out—curly hair, a Strat slung over her shoulder, barefoot—and proceeds to melt the walls off the place. She tore into a slide solo with such passion, precision, and swagger, I turned to the stranger next to me and just said, “Holy sht.*”
That was Joanna Connor—and I’ve been a believer ever since.
A Chicago Blues Monster with a Rock ‘n’ Roll Engine
Joanna might be from Brooklyn, raised in Worcester, Massachusetts, but her heart and soul belong to Chicago. Since the mid-1980s, she’s been grinding it out in the clubs of the Windy City, earning her stripes not just as a “great female guitarist”—but as one of the most ferocious slide players alive. Period.
She didn’t get a free pass. She fought for every inch of stage space in a male-dominated blues world, and she won—not with hype, but with pure, undeniable skill. Her style is a glorious hybrid of Chicago grit, Southern soul, and rock muscle. Think Bonnie Raitt’s emotion, Derek Trucks’ slide touch, and Stevie Ray’s fire—all wrapped in one powerhouse player.
The Tone, The Technique, The Fire
Joanna’s slide playing is like nothing else out there. She doesn’t just play—she attacks, coaxes, sings through her guitar. Her solos are full of drama, finesse, and raw firepower. It’s blues, but it’s also funk, rock, soul, even a little gospel when she really lets loose.
And her voice? Husky, soulful, real. She sings like someone who’s lived every word. One minute she’s roaring through a hard-driving shuffle, the next she’s pouring her heart into a soul ballad. She’s not trying to outshine her guitar—she’s complementing it, grounding it in human emotion.
Albums That Hit Me Like a Freight Train
You want to talk blues albums with teeth? Joanna’s discography is loaded. Here are the ones that lit the fire for me:
- 🎸 Believe It! (1998) – A killer introduction to her power. Raw, funky, full of swagger.
- 🔥 Six String Stories (2016) – Deep grooves, searing solos, great vocals. Mature, bold, and bursting with emotion.
- 🧨 Rise (2019) – Blends blues, soul, funk, and even hip-hop flavor. One of her most creative albums.
- ⚡ 4801 South Indiana Avenue (2021) – Produced by Joe Bonamassa. This one smokes. Old-school Chicago blues feel with next-level playing. A personal favorite.
- 💥 Best of Me (2023) – One of her most confident, refined, and electrifying records yet. She’s still evolving—and getting sharper with time.
Live: Where the Legend Lives
Joanna Connor on record is incredible. But live? Forget about it.
I’ve seen her multiple times now, and every show is a holy experience. She doesn’t just play the crowd—she owns it. She’ll rip a solo so fiery that you think she’s peaked… then crank it up even higher. There’s no ego, no pretense. Just pure, soul-deep connection between artist and audience.
And when she plays slide behind her head, or with a beer bottle, or lays back on the floor during a solo—well, you better believe the house goes up in flames. But it’s not gimmick. It’s joy. It’s freedom. That’s Joanna.
Why Joanna Connor Still Blows Me Away
Joanna doesn’t care about categories. Blues, funk, rock, soul—it’s all music to her. And that’s what makes her so powerful. She’s not chasing trends or trying to be anyone else. She’s carving her own road, one blistering slide solo at a time.
In a blues world still fighting for diversity and authenticity, Joanna Connor is both a pioneer and a proof point. She’s walked the walk. She’s earned the crown. And the best part? She’s still pushing herself—still getting better, bolder, bluesier.
Where to Start If You’re New
New to the Queen of the Slide? Start here:
- 🎧 4801 South Indiana Avenue – Studio fire. Produced by Bonamassa. A modern blues classic.
- 🎤 Six String Stories – Deep cuts, huge emotion.
- 🔥 Best of Me – Her latest. Unmissable.
- 🎶 Search for her live videos online—especially the viral slide clips. They’ll blow your mind.
Find more at joannaconnor.com.
Joanna Connor doesn’t just play the blues—she commands them. With a guitar in her hands, she’s a preacher, a poet, and a powerhouse. If you’re ready to hear the blues roar and wail like never before, it’s time to ride with Joanna.
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