‘American Blues Scene’ gothic blues accomplished the impossible review “10,000 Feet Below”

“Detroit blues rocker, Eliza Neals has accomplished the near impossible. On her new, self-produced offering, 10,000 Feet Below, she gathered 16 fellow musicians, (17 truly) in five different studios, and created one brilliant album. We use the word brilliant in describing the record as exceptionally clever, not bright, and shining, because this E-H Records release is anything but. Henry Stuckey may well have invented the gothic blues sound, but Skip James took it to the next level, Ledfoot gave it the name, and now, Neals has perfected it.

Her operatically trained voice is sexy, and menacing. It drew us in to her essence so tightly, that we felt stifled, yet unwilling to escape. Neals took us to a confined, sweltering place, and welcomed us. There are wafts of fresh air throughout 10,000 Feet Below. Take a deep breath during the foot-stomping, hand-clapping opener, “Cleotus.” Long time confidant, guitarist, and songwriting partner, Howard Glazer, adds the perfect resonator accompaniment to a song that is made up of flawless vocal layering. It’s gospel tinged, country blues, in an urban backdrop.

All bets are off when the fully electrified, “Another Lifetime,” begins to play. Glazer’s searing guitar work, punctuates Neals’ vocals, and Hammond B3 organ. While we’re on the subject of her vocals, she’s been compared, vocally, to Janis Joplin, but that’s a misnomer. The one exception would be a couple of b-b-b-b-baby moments in “You Ain’t My Dog No More.” Janis, God love her, could never quite hit those highs without falling into a primal scream. Eliza, on the other hand, not only can, but does. There may be a bit of gravel, reminiscent of Danielle Nicole, or the late, great, Koko Taylor, but Neals’ powerhouse voice is unequivocally her own…”

Truly humbled and happy there is so much more to read here AMERICAN BLUES SCENE!

Somehow music critics who have the time to listen can thoroughly enjoy what I created on “10,000 Feet Below” and this review like a few others here truly listned thank you