Collier Made Chicago Blues Fest Debut This Year with Extensive Touring to Come
“Up-and-comer.” –Rolling Stone
“Queen.” –American Songwriter
“Ace.” –All Music
Saxophonist/songwriter/bandleader/guitarist Vanessa Collier today shared deep soul song “Wild as a Rainstorm” from her sixth album Do It My Own Way, out September 13 via Phenix Fire Records. Recorded on analog gear with the musicians largely in one room, Do It My Own Way is sonically inspired by the classic Memphis soul sound of Stax and Hi Records, especially that of the Staples Singers. The songwriter/bandleader made her Chicago Blues Festival debut this year, in front of tens of thousands. Best known in the blues world – she’s a twelve-time Blues Music Award nominee and four-time winner, including for the monumental Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year, Horn Player of the Year, and B.B. King Entertainer of the Year this year – Do It My Own Way finds her influenced by soul artists like Mavis Staples, Sharon Jones, James Brown, and Aretha Franklin.
Today, she dives deep into soul territory, sharing her second single “Wild As a Rainstorm,” with advice to ignore the naysayers and “Be a tapestry of dreams.” The groove and horns would make Willie Mitchell proud, and indeed features legendary Hi Records organist Rev. Charles Hodges. The vocals are powerful, awe-inspiring, and undeniably soulful vocals.
“Wild As a Rainstorm” (HEAR/SHARE)
Of the single, Collier says, “’Wild As A Rainstorm’ is a love letter to the next generation -– particularly my little sisters – who feel out of place in the current world. There is a gentleness to the message, cushioned by the flute/harmon mute trumpet and saxophone parts, meant to curl about the listeners ear and feel the beauty of just being ‘you.’ I wrote my own experience in this song – being quiet, but aware of my own boundaries well enough so as not to cave to peer pressure, although that was not very easy at first. I’m hoping that this song and my journey to recognize my own personal power might inspire another to choose to take their own path when repeatedly arriving at forks in the road. I hope for the next generation to be daring and unafraid of making mistakes, and to just be ‘Wild as a Rainstorm.’”
Talking about the album, Collier adds, “It’s a warmer and darker sounding a record, recorded intentionally to reflect a throwback to older school soul, R&B, blues, and to the days of great songs and songwriters, tube amps and analog gear.”
Do It My Own Way takes you back to the heyday of music with Memphis soul-influenced horn arrangements, layers of vocals for color, with poignant and powerful saxophone solos that deliver a quietly powerful undercurrent to each song and the album as a whole. She previously shared the minor key Americana/noir, single “Take Me Back.” She seems at first to be singing about wanting to be taken back by an ex-lover, but that’s a feint. She’s wanting to go back to a time before she knew them.
Coming soon from the new album is the anthemic third single “Do It My Own Way” which artfully addressed the sexism she’s encountered in the music industry.
Collier takes on multiple roles, writing the songs, producing the album, arranging horns and all instrumental and vocal parts, playing acoustic and electric guitars and alto, soprano, and tenor saxophones, as well as singing the lead and background vocals. Also on the album are legendary Hi Records organ player Rev. Charles Hodges (Al Green, Bettye LaVette, Ann Peebles, Alex Chilton, Robert Cray); and frequent Collier collaborators Blues Music Award-winning guitarist Laura Chavez (Sue Foley, Mike Ledbetter & Monster Mike Welch); bassist Scott Sutherland (Elvin Bishop); and Byron Cage (Otis Taylor).
Blues Blast Mag said, “Vanessa is an important part of the future of the blues.” Born in Texas, growing up in Maryland, launching her career in Philadelphia, and now residing in South Carolina, Collier grew up listening to an eclectic variety of music. After graduating from Berklee College of Music, she joined blues legend Joe Louis Walker’s band, going solo at his urging, and has become a notable artist “whose rise to the top is nothing short of meteoric” (Making a Scene). She has opened concerts for Blues Traveler. Her prior studio album, Heart On The Line, spent nine weeks in the Billboard Blues Album Chart top 15.
Collier is booked by Concerted Efforts, home to Rhiannon Giddens, Kaia Kater, Kyshona, and others.
Vanessa Collier Tour Dates
July 27 – Pittsburgh, PA – Pittsburgh Blues & Roots Festival
July 29 – Reno, NV – Artown
August 1 & 2 – Notodden, Norway – Notodden Blues Festival
August 3 – Haapsalu, Estonia – Augustibluus
August 9 – Athens, NY – Athens Summer Concert Series
August 10 – Duluth, MN – Bayfront Festival Park
August 16 – Edmonton, AB – Edmonton Blues Festival
August 18 – Thornton, NH – White Mountain Boogie ‘N Blues Festival
August 24 – Fall River, MA – Take Me To The River
September 6 – Bethlehem, PA – Musikfest Café
September 7 – Phoenixville, PA – Phoenixville Blues Festival
September 8 – Annapolis, MD – Rams Head Onstage
September 9-10 – Lima, NY – Fanatics Pub
September 11 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge
September 13 – Westland, MI – Token Lounge
September 14 – Oaktoberfest – Oak Park, IL
September 15 – Forest Park, IL – Robert’s Westside
October 9 – Washington, D.C. – The Hamilton
October 10 – Caffe Lena – Saratoga Springs, NY
October 12 – Natick Arts Center – Natick, MA
October 13 – North Haven, CT – Small Batch Cellars
October 15-18 – Syracuse, NY – 443 Social Club & Lounge
October 19 – Hagerstown, MD – Hub City Vinyl
October 20 – Durham, NC – The Blue Note Grill
October 22 – Asheville, NC – The Grey Eagle
October 23 – Decatur, GA – Eddie’s Attic
October 26 – November 2 – Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise
November 16 – Bonita Springs – Bonita Performing Arts Center
November 17 – Boca Raton, FL – Boca Blues Festival
November 21 – Richmond, VA – Tin Pan
November 22 – Reading, PA – Reading Blues Fest
December 6 – St. Augustine, FL – Café Eleven
December 7 – Lakewood Ranch, FL – Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival
February 15 – Vero Beach Blues Festival – Vero Beach, FL
