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The enjoyable slow burner 'Spanish Blues', possess a lyrical and ephemeral guitar
feel until, the dramatic Latin rocking guitar end.

The straight blues infused 'Tell Me', is a sad tale of doubt and disbelief, of a woman's

apparent endearments of true love.

The funk fuelled groove on 'Wild As The Wind', possesses a hypnotic guitar as the
number describes a route to a very short life or possibly, a way out of it.

'She', continues the enjoyably funk fuelled guitar / percussion groove, with a dash
of rock for good measure.

'Night Closing In', is a guitar rich, power ballad, filled with desolation and fear. And
finally, Cream’s Jack Bruce composition, 'Politician', is given a faithful stark, stalking

rendition, filled with a glib vocal and menacing guitar work and an even darker bass
line.

Recommended!

Brian Harman

Vanessa Collier—Do It My Own Way—Phoenix Fire
(www.vanessacollier.com)

Texas born singer, sax-player, multi-instrumentalist,
and songwriter Vanessa has a fine old-fashioned blues
and soul album here, her sixth overall. She is an

excellent singer and writes some thought-provoking
songs – try the title track, for example where she leaves
the listener in no doubt that she has her own ideas on

how to make it in the music business, or the lush soul
of ‘Wild As A Rainstorm’. Oh, and perhaps I should
mention that she has come a long way since Joe Louis Walker encouraged his then
sax player to step out in her own right, and that she certainly has the talent to make

it on her own.

‘Shoulda Known Better’ is a fine, funk-tinged blues with lovely guitar and a
noteworthy sax solo, and the slinky ‘Just One More’ is a retro Latin-tinted number,

showing another side to Vanessa’s approach. No prizes for guessing which gospel
singer is thanked for inspiration with the swinging, celebratory and rather fine
recreation of her style, ‘Rosetta’ (just listen to the guitar playing throughout). The

closing ‘Warrior’ features a delicate solo guitar and wordless vocal intro, before the
uplifting lyrics enter, later followed by the majestic full band.

I realise I have maybe cherry-picked the songs here. Be aware though that every
track on this rather stunning set is completely worth your attention.

Norman Darwen