Buckingham Blues “most accomplished single female musician” Live Review 9/10/2026

There really isn’t a better way to say it.

Eliza Neals rolled into Buckingham Blues Bar with her longtime guitarist, collaborator and co-producer Michael Puwal, and an all-star group of local musicians came together around them to complete the band, including Ephraim Lowell, Detroit Mike on the Keys, and Mitch Mastel on bass. 

And then we got to watch a master at work.

In my recent memory, Eliza may be the most accomplished single female musician, songwriter and bandleader we’ve ever had on the stage at the Buck.

That’s a big statement, but after watching what she did last night, it’s one I’m comfortable making.

She was behind the keyboards, singing straight from her soul and commanding the band at the same time. But even “commanding the band” doesn’t quite explain it.

She was literally pulling the music together with her whole body.

Reviewing through the live mode photos today, you can see it. Her hands, her face, her shoulders, her gestures as everything was part of the music. She would gather the band in, shape a moment, hold something back and then seem to push the song right back out through her soul.

The players were focused on her through every measure, to their tremendous credit. A look, a movement, a hand gesture, the smallest cue, and they were right there with her. She could stretch a phrase, pull everything back, change the feel or drive the whole thing forward while still playing keyboards and delivering those vocals. There was never a hole.

Considering there’s a very good chance several of those musicians had never played with her before, it was remarkable to watch. Eliza led with the instinct of someone who completely understands her music and knows exactly how to communicate it without stopping to explain it.

Then there’s the voice. Gritty. Melodic. Guttural. Soulful. Sometimes almost otherworldly and, a moment later, downright heavenly. The growls, cries, whispers, power and little vocal utterances in between were unmistakably hers. You could actually watch the music move through her.

And then there is the whole presentation. Eliza walked onto that stage looking every bit like the artist she is; beautiful, polished, completely professional and put together from head to toe. Her look somehow matched the music perfectly: bold, feminine, soulful, original and unmistakably her own. And yes, possibly the best manicure in show business.

Nothing about her felt accidental. The music, the voice, the writing, the keyboards, the way she led the band, the way she moved, and the way she presented herself, it all came from the same place. She was solid from the tips of those nails straight down to the soul. That is what made the whole thing feel complete.

Eliza Neals didn’t just come in and perform a show. She arrived as a fully formed artist. A world-class one. Her covers didn’t sound like covers. She made them hers. And her originals had that rare quality where you found yourself wondering, “How do I already know this song?”

Eliza is Detroit born, classically trained, and was mentored by Motown songwriting legend Barrett Strong. She’s a singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger, producer and bandleader with a serious body of work behind her.

Michael Puwal has been part of that musical story for years as guitarist, collaborator, songwriter and producer, and watching the connection between the two of them onstage made that history obvious.

There were moments last night when you could hear a pin drop in the Buck. Then there were others when the room was hollering back at her, dancing, laughing and completely giving itself over to the show. She had them both ways. Quiet when the song demanded it. Raising the roof when she decided it was time.

By the end of the night, Buckingham Blues Bar had a new love. We hope Eliza Neals and Michael Puwal come back again and again.

Take a look through the photos, and definitely scroll through the feed because there are plenty of clips from a night that deserves to be heard again.

Thank you, Eliza. You absolutely took us to church. 

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