The Toughest Girl Alive is an album by the American musician Candye Kane, released in 2000.[1][2] She supported it with a North American tour.[3] The album title was later used for a stage musical about Kane's life.[4]
The album was produced by Scott Billington.[5] It was recorded after Kane's divorce from her husband, Thomas Yearsley, of the Paladins, and saw her take a more independent approach.[6] Nine of the album's songs were cowritten by Kane; many were influenced by the 1990s swing revival.[7][8]Marcia Ball played piano on the title track.[9]Dave Alvin played guitar on several tracks.[9]Larry Taylor played bass on the album.[10] "Who Do You Love?" was written by Jack Tempchin.[11] "Get Happy" is a version of the song made famous by Judy Garland.[12] "Scream in the Night" is a cover of the song associated with Julia Lee.[13] "(Hey Mister) She Was My Baby Last Night" references Kane's bisexuality.[14] The album liner notes include an essay by Penn Jillette.[15]
The Globe and Mail noted that Kane, on "Highway of Tears", "can be subtle as well, shading into jazz territory on an especially attractive song."[7]The Boston Globe wrote, "More Dolly Parton than Patsy Cline, she again takes on Western swing and jump blues with a vengeance, making 'Let's Commit Adultery' a throaty challenge and turning '(Hey Mister!) She Was My Baby Last Night' into a bisexual affirmation."[9] The Waterloo Region Record said that the songs "prove her to be the Mae West of musical mayhem."[16]The Morning Call called the album a "collection of faux swing, blues and torch numbers [that] nudges and winks at the listener regularly."[17]The Kansas City Star stated that the album "showcases her dexterous voice, which can be volcanic, like Big Mama Thorton's, or twangy and clean, like Patsy Cline's."[18]The Columbus Dispatch praised the "gender-bending, racy songs [that] put her in range of the Lil Johnsons and Alberta Hunters".[19] The Chicago Tribune listed The Toughest Girl Alive as the eighth best blues album of 2000.[20]
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