Eliza Neals

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Eliza Neals
Birth nameElizabeth Thomasian Neals [1]
Born (1974-02-08) February 8, 1974 (age 51)
Detroit, Michigan, United States
Genres Blues rock
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, pianist, record producer, arranger
Years active1990s–present
Website Official website

Elizabeth Thomasian Neals (born February 8, 1974), known professionally as Eliza Neals, [2] is an American blues rock singer, songwriter, pianist, record producer, and arranger. [3]

Contents

Early life and education

Neals was born in Detroit, Michigan, [4] and raised in Southfield, Michigan. [5] She began performing alongside her two sisters before starting a solo career. She studied opera at Wayne State University and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music. [6] [7]

Musical career

In the early stages of her musical career, Neals performed at venues in Detroit. [8] In the mid-1990s, she signed with Blarritt Records, a label founded by Barrett Strong. [9] She released her debut album, I Want More, in 1997 under the stage-name 'Eliza'. Following this, she released her second album, I'm Waiting, in 1999. [10] Neals also contributed as a co-writer and co-producer on Barrett Strong's 2008 album Stronghold II. [11] [8] In interviews, Neals has referenced Barrett Strong and Joe Louis Walker as musical influences. [12] She self-released four albums between 2005 and 2015. [13]

In 2015, she received the Detroit Music Award for Outstanding Blues/R&B Songwriter. [8] In 2017, Neals released 10,000 Feet Below on E-H Records. She wrote or co-wrote all original music on it and it featured guitarists Billy Davis and Paul Nelson. [14] [15] Neals was named Blues Artist of the Year at the Detroit Black Music Awards in 2018. [16] Several of her releases have been nominated for awards issued by the Detroit Music Awards. In 2019, Eliza Neals and the Narcotics (180 gram vinyl) and the EP Sweet or Mean were released on July 4, on E-H Records. Sweet or Mean's production was overseen by Popa Chubby and included horn work by Ian Hendrickson-Smith and Michael Leonhart. [17]

Neals released Black Crow Moan in 2020 [4] , describing it as "more sentimental; a lot of stuff coming from way, way back... More like a confessional." [18] It featured guest appearances from Joe Louis Walker and Derek St. Holmes. [11] Black Crow Moan has been described as primarily ballad-driven [19] and partly reflected on the idols from her "growing up years." [20]

In 2022, Neals re-released the single ''Sugar Daddy'', written by Barrett Strong and featuring King Solomon Hicks on guitar. The song received airplay on Sirius XM Bluesville. Badder to the Bone (2022) has been described as a unique approach to blues. [21] Neals wrote or co-wrote all songs on the album, arranged and co-produced the collection with Michael Puwal. [22] [23] The album featured Neals on vocals and piano, with contributions from Lance Lopez (guitar), Peter Keys (Hammond organ), and Billy Davis (guitar on the track 'Got A Gun'). Paul Randolph played bass guitar on two songs. The album also included Neals' cover of the Steve Winwood song, 'Can't Find My Way Home'. [24] [25]

Neals released the album Colorcrimes in 2024, featuring 24 collaborators worldwide. [26]

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

Albums: [1] [13] [10]

YearTitleRecord labelAdditional credits
1997I Want MoreBlarritt RecordsEliza
1999I'm WaitingBlarritt RecordsEliza
2005LiquorfootSelf-released
2008No Frogs for SnakesSelf-released
2012Messin With a FoolSelf-released
2015Breaking and EnteringSelf-released
201710,000 Feet BelowE-H Records
2019Eliza Neals and the NarcoticsE-H RecordsEliza Neals and the Narcotics
2019Sweet or Mean (EP)E-H RecordsProduced by Popa Chubby
2020Black Crow MoanE-H Records
2022Badder to the BoneE-H Records
2024ColorcrimesE-H Records

References

  1. 1 2 "Eliza Neals". Discogs.com. Retrieved October 12, 2022.[ unreliable source? ]
  2. ↑ "Push the boundaries with modern blues music". www.elizaneals.com. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
  3. ↑ Eliza Neals and the Narcotics - Eliza Neals | ... | AllMusic , retrieved 2025-04-06
  4. 1 2 L'Hommedieu, Richard (May 2, 2022). "Eliza Neals is Making a Scene". Makingascene.org. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  5. ↑ Journal, Jim Testa | For The Jersey (2018-03-12). "Jersey City's Eliza Neals bringing the blues to FM". nj. Retrieved 2020-01-16.
  6. ↑ Sacksteder, John (2024-06-30). "Eliza Neals – Colorcrimes | Album Review". Blues Blast Magazine. Retrieved 2025-01-30.
  7. ↑ Harry (2020-04-20). "Interview I Eliza Neals". Bluestown Music (in Dutch). Retrieved 2025-01-30.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Eliza Neals". Artsgarage.org. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Eliza Neals". Blueshighwayus61.com. June 13, 2020. Archived from the original on July 14, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  10. 1 2 "Elizabeth Thomasian". Discogs.com. Retrieved October 12, 2022.[ unreliable source? ]
  11. 1 2 "Interview I Eliza Neals". Bluestownmusic.nl. 20 April 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Interview I Eliza Neals". Bluestownmusic.nl. 20 April 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  13. 1 2 "Eliza Neals Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic . Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Eliza Neals - 10,000 Feet Below Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic . Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  15. ↑ "10,000 Feet Below - Eliza Neals | Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  16. ↑ "Eliza Neals ⋆ Detroit Black Music Awards 2018 "Blues Artist of the Year" is ELIZA NEALS". www.elizaneals.com. Retrieved 2025-07-19.
  17. ↑ Ehrenclou, Martine (16 July 2019). "Review Eliza Neals 'Sweet or Mean'". Rockandbluesmuse.com. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  18. ↑ Harry (2020-04-20). "Interview I Eliza Neals". Bluestown Music (in Dutch). Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  19. ↑ "More Than Just Bad, Eliza Neals is 'Badder to the Bone'". American Blues Scene. 2022-05-13. Retrieved 2025-01-30.
  20. ↑ Gates, Tory. "BWW Interview: Eliza Neals Forges Blues-Rock Outing on 'Black Crow Moan'". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2025-01-30.
  21. ↑ Smith, Phillip (2022-04-18). "Eliza Neals Badder to the Bone". Making A Scene!. Retrieved 2025-01-30.
  22. ↑ "More Than Just Bad, Eliza Neals is 'Badder to the Bone'". Americanbluesscene.com. May 13, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  23. ↑ Reyes, Mary Jaira (April 19, 2022). "Eliza Neals: Badder to the Bone Review". Bluesrockreview.com. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  24. ↑ Jones, Steve (April 11, 2022). "Eliza Neals – Badder To The Bone | Album Review". Bluesblastmagazine.com. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  25. ↑ "Q&A with multi-talented musician Eliza Neals, sultry powerful vocals, spirited moves, and soulful piano playing". Blues.gr. Retrieved October 12, 2022.[ unreliable source? ]
  26. ↑ Callwood, Brett (2024-06-01). "DIY Spotlight with Detroit chanteuse Eliza Neals". www.musicconnection.com. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
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