The Alexis P Suter Band – Just Stay High
Nola Blue – 2025
14 tracks; 55 minutes
Alexis P Suter returns with an album originally inspired by Zoom writing sessions between her and her band members during the pandemic. The subsequent reunion with the Bennett brothers effectively “put the band back together” for this recording. Alexis is on lead vocals, Vicki Bell on harmony and backing vocals, Jimmy Bennett on guitar, brother Peter on bass/backing vocals and Ray Grappone on drums; keys are by Daniel Weiss and Will Bryant, Lee Falco replaces Grappone on drums on four tracks and adds percussion to three more while Byron Isaacs replaces Peter Bennett on seven tracks. Will Bryant and Lee Falco engineered the sessions and production is credited to Isaacs, Bryant and the whole band. The songs were mainly written by band members, Jimmy offering four solo compositions, combinations of Byron, Alexis and Vicki six, together with three covers.
Those familiar with Alexis’ vocal style will recognize her deep-toned contralto which, on some of these tracks, is backed by a blues-rock band in full flow. At other times the music takes on a soulful, gospel feel and Alexis shows she can handle all these styles with ease. “God Gave Me The Blues” she sings in the opening cut, asking why he would have done this, over insistent piano and weeping slide, “Some People” is on the soulful end of the spectrum while “Breathe” chugs along with strident vocals and a powerful rock guitar solo. Those three opening tracks rather exemplify what the album offers.
Next up is the longest cut here, “Be On Your Way” running well over six minutes, Jimmy rocking out on guitar as Alexis ends an unsatisfactory relationship in this powerful blues track. “My Only Need” reins back on the power, the gospel harmonies from the two ladies very effective over acoustic and slide guitar before the first cover, “It Ain’t Easy”, a 1970 song from the late Ron Davies which provides a reflective tune with gospel vocals, swirling keys and tough guitar. We get back to rocking in the next two tunes as Alexis explains that “4 Wheels Beat Two Heels” and that she needs no help to put on her “Big Girl Panties”, thank you very much! The title track is a soulful ballad with a message to anyone who is feeling down, “Just Stay High”, before “Ride All Night” steadily builds a head of steam, driven by Lee’s drums, until Jimmy comes in with a bright solo. “Isolation” is one of the songs that clearly emerged from those pandemic writing sessions.
A cover of Leon Russell’s “A Song For You” is just Alexis accompanied by piano and works well, a classic song given a highly respectful treatment by singer and pianist. “Love Always Wins” is a catchy piece of soulful pop with a chorus full of joy and optimism, the keys sounding like a string section before the album closes with a cover of Gloria Jones’ “Piece Of Clay”, originally recorded by Marvin Gaye and given a passionate reading by Alexis.
Fans of Alexis P Suter will be pleased to enjoy a new album from her.
