Detroit Blues Society crushes “Badder to the Bone” review

Don’t be fooled Eliza Neals’ latest release, “Badder To The Bone” (E-H Records) brims with original blues-rock-nine out of ten to be exact.

From the first track- a Bo Diddley-beater titled “United We Stand” – Neals’ sultry voice digs in and doesn’t let the listener forget whose record this is. Wrapped in smoke and velvet, gravel and silk, it cuts through the rich instrumental fury and sticks with you after each song ends, like a pleasant aftertaste in your ear.

Then standout track on “Badder to the Bone” is “Queen of the Nile” (from whence the releases title is birthed), which I first heard on SiriusXM’s B.B. King’s Bluesville channel-always a good sign. Guitar solo aficionados will love Lance Lopez’ labor, but don’t forget to listen for Peter Keys’ effective Hammond B3 work. And-bonus!-the release includes two versions of the slow blues thriller.

Other strengths on this blues-rock showcase include the rumba -flavored “Bucket of Tears”, Detroit Billy Davis’ unmistakable guitar on “Got A Gun” , Michael Puwals’ slide work on “Fueling Me Up”, and the flexible keyboard interplay on “Heathen”, featuring Neals on piano and John Galvin on B3.

An admirable version of Steve Winwood’s “Can’t Find My Way Home” is the only cover on the release, clocking in at two minutes longer than the original. Lopez’ guitar skills are again on display.

Don’t take my word for it. “We know she’s good and this album conforms it”, says Blues News Norway, “Album with imperceptible faults”, says Soul Bag France. And, “Badder to the Bone” is already collecting award nominations. It’s available from Amazon Music, Bandcamp, MelodySale, Spotify, and of course at ElizaNeals.com“

by Ken Martin

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