Heather Newman Rise From the Flames

Heather Newman
Rise From the Flames
VizzTone

"Rise From the Flames" is the second album from bassist-vocalist Heather Newman. About her earlier album, "Burn Me Alive," I concluded, "With the strong, empathic support by her band throughout, Heather Newman impresses with her wholehearted, passionate vocals on a most noteworthy recording debut." Here she is with her Kansas City band of Ryan Matthew (vocals/keys/percussion), Keith Ladd (lead guitar), and Adam Watson (drums), with guest appearances by Michael Lefever (saxophone) and Teddy Krulewich (trumpet). She wrote all 13 songs inspired by the end of a relationship and her dealing with consequences of this.

Since I first heard Heather on a Nick Schnebelen Band recording. I found her singing was striking as I praised her phrasing and pitch as spot on. Also, I found her delivery and her vocal dynamics impressive, especially with the judicious use of a lioness growl. There is nothing on this recording that would cause me to change that. She handles the ups and downs of relationships on these well-crafted songs. She might question her former lover's choice of a new lover on "She Sure Looks a Lot Like Me," while on the title track where she talks about coping and that she will rise from the flames of a broken relationship. Ladd's guitar impresses on the title track, "Water and Wine," "Coming Home," and other selections. "Lonely on Beale" has a funky groove as she sings about being left lonely with the horns honking in the accompaniment, while she pours everything into "His Soul," against the insistent accompaniment and Matthew's deft electric piano solo. Understated accompaniment with acoustic guitar enhances Newman's wistful singing on "Take It Slow." In contrast, "Coming Home" has a funkier feel and punchy horns.

Her supporting band impresses throughout these well-paced performances that never come off as frenzied or rushed. The band provides supple backing, and the focused solos and the production allows the listeners to savor her soulful, nuanced vocals and the splendid support provided her." "Rise From the Flames" is another marvelous Heather Newman recording.

I received my review copy from VizzTone.  This review appeared in the September-October 2019 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 386), although I made minor stylistic changes. Here is Heather Newman at a recent performance.

 

Nick Schnebelen Band Live at Knuckleheads Vol. 1

Nick Schnebelen Band
Live at Knuckleheads Vol. 1
VizzTone

Part of the International Blues Challenge winning sibling band, Trampled Under Foot (and selected for the Albert King Guitar Award at the time), Nick Schnebelen now leads his own band and VizzTone has issued their debut album, "Live at Knuckleheads Vol. 1," recorded at the famed Kansas City club. The singer and guitarist is joined by Heather Newman on guitar and vocals, Cliff Moore on bass and Joe Voye on drums for a hard rocking collection of blues and blues-infused roots rock.

Schnebelen and Newman share vocals with Newman being the more engaging singer, while Schnebelen is uneven. He comes across well on the rockabilly tinged opening track "I'm Goin'" but his heavier approach on the blues-rock Muddy Waters' influenced "Break of Day" (akin to "Walking Blues") is not as natural sounding. There may be a touch of country in Newman's vocals and there are times I wish Newman would tone her singing down at spots, but this is a quibble as her phrasing and pitch is spot on her performances, and this is also a recording of a live performance.

Schnebelen's guitar is quite fiery and inventive. He might rock a bit for my taste, but when he picks up the slide and quotes Muddy's "I Be's Troubled" backing Heather on "Tailgate Swing," his considerable technical skills and musical sense is quite evident. he is quite a player and he ably takes the heat down on the low-key "Who Will Comfort Me." Perhaps he bellows his vocal a bit on his forceful, and fresh, rendition of "Spoonful," with Heather adding vocal backing. Then he picks up the steel guitar for a nice cover of the Santo and Johnny's hit "Sleep Walk."

A terrific cover of Dolly Parton's "Jolene" further illustrates the band's virtuosity followed by an high-energy rendition of the Gary US Bonds hit "New Orleans" with  Hound Dog Yaylor meets George Thorogood slide backing the husky vocal that ends this  animated and highly engaging live blues and roots set that will have many wanting more.

I received a review copy from VizzTone. Here is a video of them in performance.