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Eliza Neals
American musician and record producer (born 1974) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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]
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Early life and education
Neals was born in Detroit, Michigan[4] and was raised in Southfield, Michigan.[5] She studied opera at Wayne State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music.[6][7]
Musical career
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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." Subsequently, 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] 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 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. Neals wrote or co-wrote all songs on the album, 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 released the album Colorcrimes in 2024, featuring 24 collaborators worldwide.[25]
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]
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Discography
References
External links
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