Saturday, September 29, 2012

Album Review: “Messin’ With A Fool” by Eliza Neals

MWAF-COVER-RGB-small

Messin With a Fool
  • Audio CD (January 31, 2012) Number of Discs: 1 Label: CD BABY.COM/INDYS
  • ASIN: B0078467VW In-Print Editions: MP3 Music
    This album of “Stiletto Blues” first came out in January, but it keeps finding itself back in the news and for a very good reason. This is some rockin’, sexy, good times blues from the Motor City.

The album  was recently nominated for Six Detroit Music awards 2012. And won the Blues Songwriter category. Eliza Neals first radio spot on NPR 101.9 WDET aired Jan 2012 and now she is on rotation in multiple platforms including 94.7 WCSX FM Detroit, Brazil, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands & more every day. Eliza is the current friend/writing partner with Motown Legend Barrett Strong. Strong was the first artist to record a hit for Motown, although he is best remembered for his work as a songwriter, particularly in association with producer Norman Whitfield.

The album is full of blues drivin’ rock and Motor City Soul. Working with producer Martin ‘Tino’ Gross (Kid Rock, RL Burnside) as well as Strong, Neals sultry voice has found a home.

“Misery” by Eliza Neals from the album “Messin’ With A Fool” 1/2012
Barrett Strong wrote such legendary songs as “Money” and “I Heard It Through The Grapevine”. Adding street cred to the album is an outstanding band, including Tino Gross on guitar, bass, harp and drums, Barrett Strong on Organ, Jimmy Bones from Kid Rock’s band on piano and backing vocals), Leonard Moon from Mitch Ryder, Mike Smith from 770, Johnny Badanjek on drums, Don ‘Doop’ Duprie on guitar and bass, Duke Fakir Jr from The Four Tops, Steve Dresser adding some drum programing and Eliza Neals contributing on guitar.

Barrett Strong says of the new songs, they are drawn from what’s happening in Detroit, right now. These aren’t a collection of oldies, but reflect the Detroit scene in the second decade of the new century.

Neals treatment of some of the older songs (“Misery”, “Money”, etc…) is both new and fresh and proves why these are classics, but also pays tribute to the roots of the music and society that made them possible in the first place. Neals good looks, husky sultry growl, and “Stiletto Blues” stage presence, as well as world class songs are the reason this one keeps finding new spots on the various blues, R&B and rock stations.

 

“Can’t Stop” Eliza Neals

The Dirty Lowdown

Copyright © 2012 Robert Carraher All Rights Reserved

No comments:

Post a Comment