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Vanessa Collier: Meeting My Shadow
ByA mysterious wah-wah effect sets up "Poisoned The Well," the funky opener which has Collier overdubbing most of the instruments. Veteran horn man Marc Franklin does the arranging on "Dig A Little Deeper," where the tenor sax serves as propulsion. "When It Don't Come Easy," goes into that magic place where gospel meets soul at the rivers' edge, Collier revealing her powerful voice. The sax comes back with a vengeance to kick off "Two Parts Sugar, One Part Lime," a barn burner with great honky-tonk piano by Charles Hodges leading into a howling sax solo.
In one of the few covers, U-2's "When Love Comes To Town," retains its rock roots, but is taken for a bluesy ride. Adhering to the original arrangement, the classic R&B heartbreaker, You're Gonna Make Me Cry," is where Collier's voice really shines, for it is in these wrenching ballads that the true singer in her comes out. It's back to the jukejoint on "Whiskey And Women," a rollicking honker where she is obviously right at home. The syncopated back beat of New Orleans is the foundation for "Meet Me Where I'm At," and "Cry Out," takes it back to the funk. The sanctified Sister Rosetta Tharpe hymn "Up Above My Head, I Hear Music In The Air," retains its sacred inclination, and spirals up to the pearly gates.
The record ends with the pensive "Devil's On The Downslide," a soulful ballad where Collier again proves that she has an emotional maturity in her voice well beyond her years. Combine that with her other attributes, and Meeting My Shadow is proof that rhythm and blues is alive and well, and in good hands.
Track Listing
Poisoned The Well; Dig A Little Deeper; When It Don’t Come Easy; Two Parts Sugar, One Part Lime; When Love Comes To Town; You’re Gonna Make Me Cry; Whiskey And Women; Meet Me Where I’m At; Cry Out; Up Above My Head, I Hear Music In The Air; Devil’s On The Downside.
Personnel
Vanessa Collier
saxophoneVanessa Collier: vocals, alto, soprano, and tenor sax; flute (1), Fender Rhodes (1), Wurlitzer (1, 3, 11), clavinet (1), percussion (1), organ (2), Shuitar (3); TK Jackson: drums, percussion, organ (5), backing vocals; Daniel McKee: bass; Laura Chavez: guitar, resonator guitar; Charles Hodges: organ (3, 9, 10, 11), clavinet (3, 9), piano ( 4, 8, 10), Wurlitzer (9); Marc Franklin: trumpet, flugelhorn; Josh Roberts: slide guitar (3, 5); Brenda Jackson: organ (6); Lenny Bradford: bass (1); Nicholas Stevens: drums (1).
Album information
Title: Meeting My Shadow | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: Ruf Records
Comments
About Vanessa Collier
Instrument: Saxophone
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