Eliza Neals
American musician and record producer (born 1974) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Elizabeth Thomasian Neals (born February 8, 1974), professionally known as Eliza Neals,[2] is an American blues rock singer, songwriter, pianist, record producer, and arranger. She has released 10 albums since her debut in 1997.[3]
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Eliza Neals | |
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| Birth name | Elizabeth Thomasian Neals[1] |
| Born | February 8, 1974 Detroit, Michigan, United States |
| Genres | Blues rock |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, pianist, record producer, arranger |
| Years active | 1990s–present |
| Website | Official website |
Early life and education
Neals was born on February 8, 1974 in Detroit, Michigan[4] but was raised in Southfield, Michigan.[5] She began her performance career with her two sisters, but eventually became a solo artist. She studied opera at Wayne State University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music.[6][7]
Career
Summarize
Perspective
Neals began her musical career at local clubs in Detroit, where she developed her vocal style and piano skills.[8] In the mid-1990s, Barrett Strong signed Neals to his record company, Blarritt Records.[9] In 1997, her debut album, I Want More, was issued with Neals billed simply as Eliza. A follow-up album, I'm Waiting, was released two years later.[10] Neals co-wrote and co-produced Stronghold II (2008), the most recent album by Barrett Strong.[11][8] Neals has cited Barrett Strong and Joe Louis Walker as inspirations.[12]
Neals self-released four albums over a ten-year period.[13] She received the 2015 Detroit Music Award for Outstanding Blues/R&B Songwriter.[8] In 2017, Neals released 10,000 Feet Below, writing or co-writing all but one of the 11 tracks, with the exception being her rendition of Skip James' number, "Hard Time Killing Floor Blues."[14] Billy Davis and Paul Nelson were featured guitarists on the album, which was issued on E-H Records.[15] Neals was named Blues Artist of the Year at the Detroit Black Music Awards in 2018. Eliza Neals and the Narcotics (180 gram vinyl) was released in 2019.[13] The same year saw the July 4 release of the EP Sweet or Mean, also on E-H Records. Popa Chubby oversaw the production of the collection, which included horn work by Ian Hendrickson-Smith and Michael Leonhart.[16]
Neals's next album was Black Crow Moan (2020).[4] Neals stated that it was "more sentimental; a lot of stuff coming from way, way back... More like a confessional."[17] It was recorded before the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, and featured guest appearances from Joe Louis Walker and Derek St. Holmes.[11] Black Crow Moan has been described as primarily ballad-driven[18] and partly reflected on the idols from her "growing up years."[19] In 2021, Eliza Neals re-released "Sugar Daddy," written by Barrett Strong, featuring King Solomon Hicks on guitar, and airplay/rotation on Sirius XM Bluesville. Badder to the Bone (2022) has been described as a unique approach to blues.[20] Neals wrote or co-wrote every song, and she arranged and co-produced the collection in conjunction with Michael Puwal.[21][22] The album featured Neals providing both vocals and piano work, with Lance Lopez on guitar, Peter Keys on Hammond organ, and Billy Davis playing guitar on the track "Got A Gun." Paul Randolph played bass guitar on two songs. The album also featured Neals' cover of the Steve Winwood song, "Can't Find My Way Home."[23][24]
Neals performed at the 2017 and 2019 Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival. She has supported performances by Barrett Strong, Joe Louis Walker, Popa Chubby, Peter Keys, George Clinton, Four Tops, Tony Joe White, Mike Zito, Tommy Castro, Walter Trout, Albert Castiglia, Micki Free, Victor Wainwright, and Solomon Hicks.[8]
Discography
| Year | Title | Record label | Additional credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | I Want More | Blarritt Records | Eliza |
| 1999 | I'm Waiting | Blarritt Records | Eliza |
| 2005 | Liquorfoot | Self-released | |
| 2008 | No Frogs for Snakes | Self-released | |
| 2012 | Messin With a Fool | Self-released | |
| 2015 | Breaking and Entering | Self-released | |
| 2017 | 10,000 Feet Below | E-H Records | |
| 2019 | Eliza Neals and the Narcotics | E-H Records | Eliza Neals and the Narcotics |
| 2019 | Sweet or Mean (EP) | E-H Records | Produced by Popa Chubby |
| 2020 | Black Crow Moan | E-H Records | |
| 2022 | Badder to the Bone | E-H Records | |
References
External links
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