Product Description
VANESSA COLLIER
Do It My Own Way
Phenix Fire Records
Austin Powers might have a succinct analysis of Vanessa Collier’s new album: “It’s groovy, baby!” And, he wouldn’t be far off.
Collier’s latest work is a series of abiding, soulful grooves that dig into the past of the Memphis soul era, yet build on that with contemporary themes and feelings. At the heart of each song is a carefully crafted groove designed to build a base as Collier deftly guides the songs to her emotional desires.
Do It My Own Way is Collier’s fifth album and possesses a deeper soulfulness by a refined sound that is more graceful, even elegant, in its approach. Produced by Collier, the album’s arrangements are tailored to the band’s strengths. For her part, Collier simply describes it as “warmer and darker.”
And, it all starts with the groove. That’s no surprise since three-time Blues Music Award winner Collier is known for her meticulous arrangements. But this is a move up. Her team of Scot Sutherland on bass, Byron Cage on drums, Rev. Charles Hodges on Hammond organ, and BMA-winning guitarist Laura Chavez, perhaps the most singer-sympathetic blues guitarist today, build the base of each song, Collier sings, plays alto and tenor sax, flute, slide, and resonator guitar as well as doing all background vocals. At times, Doug Woolverton’s trumpet pumps up the horns, and Trey Macias on percussion accentuates any groove.
The title track makes a big statement. Led off by Chavez’s guitar, Collier launches into a song of how she’s determined not to let anyone tell her the rules, that she will define her own rules, thank you very much. Collier shows creativity and discipline with the song “Take Me Back.” The percussive-driven track features all instruments, with each adding to her desired goal. There isn’t a hint of the me-so-cool musicianship that seems to plague many recording being made today.
“Rosetta” is an empowering jump-blues tribute to Sister Rosetta Tharpe that bounces with same jubilation that Tharpe brought to her music. As Collier says, “She’s carried the torch so I can be a little bit better.” The most intriguing song on the album is the Latin-inspired “Just One More,” jumpstarted by Chavez’s guitar intertwined by the horns. Collier’s confident vocals relay a tale of a smoldering passion coursing through the veins. Collier sings of a woman unable to a control heart and gets swept up in the moment. The enchantment of the moment is relayed through sax and trumpet solos and some magnificent restrained guitar work by Chavez.
This is mature and nuanced music-making at its best. We shouldn’t be surprised by what the multi-talented Collier has produced, but layering of horns and background vocals throughout make this a standout album. Maybe Austin Powers was right. It’s groovy, baby!
– Michael Kinsman