Vanessa Collier – Do It My Own Way
Phoenix Fire Records – 2024
8 tracks; 31 minutes
Vanessa Collier was born in Texas, graduated from Berklee College of Music and went straight out on the road with Joe Louis Walker who encouraged her to embark on a solo career. She has been classed as a rising star for some time now, but will her seventh album release break through the barrier? Well, there is certainly plenty of quality here as Vanessa wrote all the songs, produced the album on her own label, sings lead vocals throughout (plus some choral stuff too), plays all the saxophone and flute parts and adds some touches of slide resonator also – she is really a wonderful multi-tasker! Assisting Vanessa here is a great group of musicians, Laura Chavez on guitar, Scot Sutherland on bass and Byron Cage on drums; Reverend Charles Hodges adds Hammond organ, Doug Woolverton trumpet, Trey Macias percussion and Maureen Murphy backing vocals on two cuts.
A popping, funky rhythm sets us up to appreciate the need for hard work, “Elbow Grease”, as Vanessa puts it, she and Doug taking striking solos. The title track is a soul-infused tune with Laura’s echoey riff at its heart as Vanessa rails against some people in the industry who are determined to direct how she should approach her career, refusing to conform to some of the stereotypes of women in music. Slowing the pace a little “Take Me Back” edges into Americana, a dark tale of removing oneself from negative influences, Vanessa’s expansive sax solo excellent mid-tune. Whilst the title track had some soul elements, “Wild As A Rainstorm” is the full soul ballad package, complete with subtle guitar and a great chorus which encourages the next generation to follow their own paths in life: “Be as wild as a rainstorm, just breathe in deep, be a tapestry of dreams”. A fine sax solo graces the middle of the song, flute comes into the later choruses and Scot’s bass features at the end of the song, a real band effort.
We get funky again on the horn-driven “Shoulda Known Better” before another change in style with the rumba rhythms of “Just One More”. Vanessa’s alto work here fits the tune like a glove and Laura’s uncanny ability to match whatever the song needs makes this another winner, though the next track takes some beating! “Rosetta” is a tribute to one of Vanessa’s influences, Sister Rosetta Tharpe: “I’d like to follow in her footsteps and do something profound”. Gospel harmonies (all Vanessa) and the rocking blues of the band make a superb combination here, you will find it impossible to stay still to this one! The album closes with “Warrior” which portrays a powerful woman, presumably Vanessa’s mother, and makes a strong point about the strength of women who have fought for their freedom: “Funny thing about the mirage of justice is that even when you win you still lose”. Vanessa’s resonator opens the tune before the band joins in, Laura delivering a superb solo, the tune building in intensity as the horns build up a head of steam behind Vanessa’s impassioned vocals before we return to the simplicity of the resonator and wordless vocals to close the tune.
The album may be on the short side but there is no filler here as Vanessa demonstrates her ability to operate across blues, funk, soul and gospel. A good album that ticks all those boxes and will help to maintain Vanessa’s upward trajectory.
