LISA BIALES
SINGING IN MY SOUL
BIG SONG MUSIC PBBI-2013
A LITTLE BIRD TOLD ME–STRANGE THINGS HAPPENING EVERY DAY–LET THE MERMAIDS FLIRT WITH ME–YOU GOT TO KNOW HOW–MAGIC GARDEN–CARELESS LOVE–I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU–WAITING FOR THE TRAIN TO COME IN–WRITE ME IN CARE OF THE BLUES–SINGING IN MY SOUL
All great singers have that rare trait of putting their own imprint on the material they choose, giving it a unique feel and making it their own. Lisa Biales is one such singer, with a rich, pure voice that fits any genre’ like a glove. On her latest release, “Singing In My Soul,” she touches on jazz, ragtime, old-time blues, gospel, and even a touch of country over these nine covers and one original.
Lisa’s vocal prowess is such that she has previously released seven albums, and was tagged for the lead role in the Oxford, Ohio, Community Theater production of “Always Patsy Cline,” and the classic songs that went along with it.
On this set, Lisa is backed by Cincinnati-based pianist Ricky Nye, and the remaining members are the Paris Blues Band, who are indeed from Paris, France. They are brilliant players within Lisa’s system of jazzy, minimalist arrangements, never getting in the way of her vocals. Check out the leadoff “A Little Bird Told Me.” It is an old Blu Lu Barker pop standard, and the fellows get into a nice call-and-response sing-along with her, adding to the authenticity of the performance. Lisa’s original “Magic Garden” also follows in this playful vein, done up in a Piedmont, fingerpicking style.
Her country experiences show up in her read of “Careless Love,” and her voice literally soars in her gospel renditions of Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s “Strange Things Happening Every Day,” and the set-closing title cut.
We had three favorites, too. She breathes new life into a smoldering “I Only Have Eyes For You,” while Sippie Wallace’s “You Got To Know How” is full of sexy, flirtatious double-entendres’. And, a cut Lisa discovered while researching Cline’s music, “Write Me In Care Of The Blues,” has that plaintive, sultry feel of Patsy herself, with Ricky’s piano and Andrew Stelmaszack’s guitar in perfect step.
Lisa Biales has garnered the nickname “The Belle Of The Blues,” and she’s spent her career making great music. With “Singing In My Soul,” her incredible vocal skills are again on brilliant display! Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow.
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