Singer/songwriter Vanessa Collier shared her sixth album, Do It My Own Way, last week, out 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, particularly that of the Staples Singers.
The album's closer, “Warrior,” begins with resonator guitar before the full band joins in, painting the picture of a powerful woman. It serves as both a universal message about the strength and resilience of women and a tribute to Collier’s mother (LISTEN/SHARE):.
Speaking about the album, Collier says, “It’s a warmer and darker sounding record, intentionally crafted to reflect a throwback to old-school soul, R&B, blues, and the days of great songs and songwriters, tube amps, and analog gear.”
Do It My Own Way transports listeners back to the heyday of music with Memphis soul-inspired horn arrangements, layered vocals for depth, and poignant, powerful saxophone solos that provide a quietly compelling undercurrent to each song and the album as a whole. The minor-key Americana/noir track “Take Me Back” served as the first single, while the album kicks off with the funky workout “Elbow Grease.” Among the many incredible grooves, “Shoulda Known Better” stands out, while “Just One More” sways to a rhumba beat. The gospel-tinged “Rosetta” pays tribute to one of Collier’s heroes, electric guitar pioneer Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Collier sings, “She’s carried the torch so I can see a little bit better… There’d be no Elvis or Chuck Berry. Sometimes the women do it best. She tackled all the inequities and fought with strength and audacity.” The anthemic, slinky title track artfully comments on the sexism she’s encountered in life and the music industry. Despite calls from industry figures to dress in sexy clothes and avoid rocking the boat, Collier has successfully taken control of her own career.
The second single, “Wild As a Rainstorm,” delves deep into soul territory, offering empowering advice to women and people who feel marginalized, encouraging them to ignore naysayers and “be a tapestry of dreams.” The track has been added to Spotify’s official Retro Soul playlist. The groove and horns, reminiscent of Willie Mitchell, feature legendary Hi Records organist Rev. Charles Hodges. Collier’s vocals are powerful, awe-inspiring, and undeniably soulful. She explains, “‘Wild As A Rainstorm’ is a love letter to the next generation — particularly my little sisters — who feel out of place in today’s world. I hope this song and my journey toward recognizing my own power will inspire someone else to take their own path when faced with choices.”
Collier takes on multiple roles in the creation of the album: she wrote the songs, produced the album, arranged the horns and all instrumental and vocal parts, and played acoustic and electric guitars, alto and tenor saxophones, and flute, in addition to singing both lead and background vocals. Featured 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, including Blues Music Award-winning guitarist Laura Chavez (Sue Foley, Mike Ledbetter & Monster Mike Welch), bassist Scott Sutherland (Elvin Bishop), and drummer Byron Cage (Otis Taylor).
The songwriter and bandleader made her debut at the Chicago Blues Festival this year, performing in front of tens of thousands. Known primarily in the blues world — she’s a twelve-time Blues Music Award nominee and four-time winner, including this year’s monumental wins for Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year, Horn Player of the Year, and B.B. King Entertainer of the Year — Do It My Own Way also shows her strong influence from soul artists like Mavis Staples, Sharon Jones, James Brown, and Aretha Franklin.
Blues Blast Magazine has praised Collier as “an important part of the future of the blues.” Born in Texas, raised in Maryland, and having launched her career in Philadelphia, Collier now resides in South Carolina. She grew up listening to an eclectic variety of music, and after graduating from Berklee College of Music, she joined blues legend Joe Louis Walker’s band. Encouraged by Walker to go solo, Collier has risen quickly in the industry, with Making a Scene describing her rise as “nothing short of meteoric.” She has also opened for Blues Traveler, and her previous studio album, Heart On The Line, spent nine weeks in the top 15 of the Billboard Blues Album Chart. Collier is booked by Concerted Efforts, which represents Rhiannon Giddens, Kaia Kater, Kyshona, and others.
