Singer Vanessa Collier Releases New Single “Do It My Own Way”

SOUL SINGER/MULTI-INSTRUMENTAL VANESSA COLLIER SHARES SLINKY, ASSERTIVE TITLE TRACK THIS WEEK AS PART OF DO IT MY OWN WAY (SEPT. 13 / PHENIX FIRE)

COLLIER ADDED TO SPOTIFY’S OFFICIAL RETRO SOUL PLAYLIST, CONFIRMS AMERICANAFEST
+ SUPPORT DATES WITH BLUES TRAVELER IN NYC, BOSTON & CHICAGO

Singer/songwriter Vanessa Collier this week shared the single “Do It My Own Way” from her sixth album Do It My Own Way, out September 13 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, especially that of the Staples Singers. The anthemic, slinky third single and title track artfully commenting on the sexism she’s encountered in life and in the music industry. Collier has encountered calls from members of the industry to dress in sexy clothes and to not rock the boat, but has successfully taken hold of her own career.

“The opening lines are a piercing statement of the overused, antiquated, and tired views within the industry. And the lyrics of the second verse demonstrate how the industry attempts to put and keep women ‘in their place’ by undermining them,” she recounts, continuing, “I find that most artists I admire – namely, Prince, James Brown, and Bonnie Raitt, went against the grain and did things that people hadn’t thought of before and that people hadn’t seen before, changing the industry as they went. This song is an assurance that I will continue to choose to fight quietly or publicly, if needed, to represent myself how I want to be represented in this industry and that I will not allow someone else to define who I am. It’s also a statement of hope that the industry is, can, and will continue to progress.”

Second single “Wild As a Rainstorm,” which dives deep into soul territory, powerfully gives advice to women and people who feel left out to ignore the naysayers and “Be a tapestry of dreams.” The track been added to Spotify’s official Retro Soul playlist. The groove and horns would make Willie Mitchell proud, and indeed features legendary Hi Records organist Rev. Charles Hodges. The vocals are powerful, awe-inspiring, and undeniably soulful vocals.

Do It My Own Way takes listeners back to the heyday of music with Memphis soul-influenced horn arrangements, layers of vocals for color, with poignant and powerful saxophone solos that deliver a quietly powerful undercurrent to each song and the album as a whole. Minor key Americana/noir “Take Me Back” served as the first single. The album kicks off with the funk workout “Elbow Grease.” On an album full of 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.” Kicking off on resonator guitar before the full band joins in, album closer “Warrior” paints the picture of a powerful woman and is both a universal message about the strength and experience of women and a tribute to Collier’s mother.

Collier takes on multiple roles, writing the songs, producing the album, arranging horns and all instrumental and vocal parts, playing acoustic and electric guitars and alto and tenor saxophones, flute, as well as singing the lead and background vocals. Also 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 Blues Music Award-winning guitarist Laura Chavez (Sue Foley, Mike Ledbetter & Monster Mike Welch); bassist Scott Sutherland (Elvin Bishop); and Byron Cage (Otis Taylor).

The songwriter/bandleader made her Chicago Blues Festival debut this year, in front of tens of thousands. Best known in the blues world – she’s a twelve-time Blues Music Award nominee and four-time winner, including for the monumental Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year, Horn Player of the Year, and B.B. King Entertainer of the Year this year – Do It My Own Way finds her influenced by soul artists like Mavis Staples, Sharon Jones, James Brown, and Aretha Franklin.

Born in Texas, growing up in Maryland, launching her career in Philadelphia, and now residing in South Carolina, Collier grew up listening to an eclectic variety of music. After graduating from Berklee College of Music, she joined blues legend Joe Louis Walker’s band, going solo at his urging, and has become a notable artist “whose rise to the top is nothing short of meteoric” (Making a Scene). She has opened concerts for Blues Traveler. Her prior studio album, Heart On The Line, spent nine weeks in the Billboard Blues Album Chart top 15. Collier is booked by Concerted Efforts, home to Rhiannon Giddens, Kaia Kater, Kyshona, and others.

Vanessa Collier Do It My Own Way track list (all songs by V. Collier)

Elbow Grease
Do It My Own Way
Take Me Back
Wild as a Rainstorm
Shoulda Known Better
Just One More
Rosetta
Warrior

Vanessa Collier Tour Dates

August 24 – Fall River, MA – Take Me To The River
September 6 – Bethlehem, PA – Musikfest Café
September 7 – Phoenixville, PA – Phoenixville Blues Festival
September 8 – Annapolis, MD – Rams Head Onstage
September 9-10 – Lima, NY – Fanatics Pub
September 11 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge
September 13 – Westland, MI – Token Lounge
September 14 – Oak Park, IL – Oaktoberfest
September 15 – Forest Park, IL – Robert’s Westside
September 17 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
September 19 – Nashville, TN – AMERICANAFEST
September 20 – Maryland Heights, MO – St. Louis Music Park
September 21 – Chicago, IL – Riviera Theater (w/ Blues Traveler)
September 22 – Columbus, OH – Natalie’s Grandview
September 24 – Boston, MA – House of Blues (w/ Blues Traveler)
September 26 – New York, NY – Rooftop at Pier 17 (w/ Blues Traveler)
September 27 – Lebanon, NH – Lebanon Opera House (w/ Blues Traveler)
September 28 – Athens, NY – Athens Summer Concert Series
October 9 – Washington, D.C. – The Hamilton
October 10 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Caffe Lena
October 11 – Ogunquit, ME – Jonathan’s Ogunquit
October 12 – Natick Arts Center – Natick, MA
October 13 – North Haven, CT – Small Batch Cellars
October 15-18 – Syracuse, NY – 443 Social Club & Lounge
October 19 – Hagerstown, MD – Hub City Vinyl
October 20 – Durham, NC – The Blue Note Grill
October 22 – Asheville, NC – The Grey Eagle
October 23 – Decatur, GA – Eddie’s Attic
October 26 – November 2 – Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise
November 16 – Bonita Springs, FL – Bonita Performing Arts Center
November 17 – Boca Raton, FL – Boca Blues Festival
November 21 – Richmond, VA – Tin Pan
November 22 – Reading, PA – Reading Blues Fest
December 6 – St. Augustine, FL – Café Eleven
December 7 – Lakewood Ranch, FL – Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival
February 5 – Westland, MI – Token Lounge
February 6 – Forest Park, IL – Robert’s Westside
February 7 – Fort Wayne, IN – Baker Street Centre
February 15 – Vero Beach Blues Festival – Vero Beach, FL

Nick Loss-Eaton