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Eliza Neals
Eliza Neals wearing a black leather jacket, posing against a colorful blurred background.
Eliza Neals, American blues rock singer, songwriter, and pianist
Background information
Birth nameElizabeth Thomasian Neals[1]
Born (1974-02-08) February 8, 1974 (age 51)
Detroit, Michigan, United States
GenresBlues rock
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, pianist, record producer, arranger
Years active1990s–present
WebsiteOfficial 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. She has released 10 albums since her debut in 1997.[3]

Early life and education

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Neals was born on February 8, 1974, in Detroit, Michigan,[4] and raised in Southfield, Michigan.[5] She began performing with her two sisters before pursuing a solo career. She studied opera at Wayne State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Music.[6][7]

Career

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Neals began her musical career performing at local clubs in Detroit.[8] In the mid-1990s, Barrett Strong signed Neals to his record company, Blarritt Records.[9] Her debut album, I Want More, was released in 1997 under the name Eliza. A follow-up album, I'm Waiting, was issued two years later.[10] Neals co-wrote and co-produced Stronghold II (2008), Strong's most recent album.[11][8] Neals has named Barrett Strong and Joe Louis Walker as inspirations.[12]

Neals self-released four albums over 10 years.[13] She received the 2015 Detroit Music Award for Outstanding Blues/R&B Songwriter.[8] In 2017, Neals released 10,000 Feet Below. She wrote or co-wrote all but one of the 11 tracks; the exception was her rendition of Skip James's song, "Hard Time Killing Floor Blues."[14] The album, released on E-H Records, featured guitarists Billy Davis and Paul Nelson.[15] Neals was named Blues Artist of the Year at the Detroit Black Music Awards in 2018. In 2019, Eliza Neals and the Narcotics (180 gram vinyl) and the EP Sweet or Mean were released on July 4, both 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.[16]

Neals's next album was Black Crow Moan (2020).[4] Neals described it as "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 the single "Sugar Daddy", written by Barrett Strong and featuring King Solomon Hicks on guitar; it received airplay 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 on the album, and she arranged and co-produced the collection with Michael Puwal.[21][22] 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.."[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

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Albums:[1][13][10]

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

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  1. ^ a b "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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c d "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. ^ a b "Elizabeth Thomasian". Discogs.com. Retrieved October 12, 2022.[unreliable source?]
  11. ^ a b "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. ^ a b "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. ^ Ehrenclou, Martine (16 July 2019). "Review Eliza Neals 'Sweet or Mean'". Rockandbluesmuse.com. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  17. ^ Harry (2020-04-20). "Interview I Eliza Neals". Bluestown Music (in Dutch). Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  18. ^ "More Than Just Bad, Eliza Neals is 'Badder to the Bone'". American Blues Scene. 2022-05-13. Retrieved 2025-01-30.
  19. ^ Gates, Tory. "BWW Interview: Eliza Neals Forges Blues-Rock Outing on 'Black Crow Moan'". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2025-01-30.
  20. ^ Smith, Phillip (2022-04-18). "Eliza Neals Badder to the Bone". Making A Scene!. Retrieved 2025-01-30.
  21. ^ "More Than Just Bad, Eliza Neals is 'Badder to the Bone'". Americanbluesscene.com. May 13, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  22. ^ Reyes, Mary Jaira (April 19, 2022). "Eliza Neals: Badder to the Bone Review". Bluesrockreview.com. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  23. ^ Jones, Steve (April 11, 2022). "Eliza Neals – Badder To The Bone | Album Review". Bluesblastmagazine.com. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  24. ^ "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?]
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