Blue Lu Barker (or Louise Dupont according to her birth certificate) may have had a limited vocal range but that didn’t stop her influencing one of the greatest singers of all time. Blue Lu Barker was my biggest influence, Billie Holiday once confirmed.

The fact is that Barker’s records were great. Her brilliantly saucy 1938 classic Don’t You Feel My Leg offers some good advice to potential suitors! It’s not quite up there in filth terms with Lucille Bogan’s Shave ‘Em Dry but it’s definitely naughty.

Blue Lu’s other great work, the swinging A Little Bird Told Me is a doozy. It’s an infectious performance - check the audio clip below. We can’t stop listening to it and nor will you…

Listen: Blue Lu Barker - Don’t You Feel My Leg

Listen: Blue Lu Barker - A Little Bird Told Me