Alexis P. Suter Band — “Just Stay High” — Nola Blue Records
Alexis P. Suter’s vocal talents came to the light of day in a big way — at midnight — as her voice regularly lit up Levon Helm’s legendary Midnight Rambles in Woodstock, N.Y. Suter and her band would go on to open for Helm nearly 100 times.
“She is one of those wonderful spirits, she’s got her arms around you; you can feel that,” Helm said.
The Brooklyn-born Suter has gone on to share her vocal prowess worldwide for years. She’s a singer-songwriter, and three-time Blues Music Award nominee. And now that spirit mentioned by Helm, and the majestic voice that illuminates it, are on full display in her latest album, “Just Stay High.”
The 14 tracks here feature 11 originals and three glorious covers. The excellent musicians behind Suter include: Jimmy Bennett: Guitar; Peter Bennett on bass and vocals, Ray Grappone and Lee Falco on drums, Daniel Weiss and Will Bryant on keyboards, Vicki Bell on vocals and Byron Isaacs on bass.
Suter opens the session with the trance-like “God Gave Me the Blues,” with her powerful vocals reaching deep into the mystery of the lyric: “God gave me the blues, what the hell was he thinking about / I’m only just a messenger, how am I gonna figure it out.” A funky backbeat accompanies “Some People,” an anthem about change.
“Breathe,” driven by soulful organ lines, deeps deep into the activism of “I can’t breathe.” track, “Be On Your Way” is pure down-home blues with a fiery guitar intro and rolling organ driving a traditional blues lost-love theme: “Tell me baby, where you gonna be when the morning comes … won’t be no fussin’ and fightin’ … just be on your way.”
“My Only Need” is an elegant acoustic take in a gorgeous duet with Vicki Bell. In one of just a few covers on the album, Suter testifies to her gospel origins on Ron Davies’ “It Ain’t Easy,” joining voices with Peter Bennett and Bell to form a powerful choir-like backing. Suter lightens the mood with the sturdy shuffle of “4 Wheels Beats 2 Heels,” and keeps rolling with “Big Girl Panties” — “I am smart, I am strong, I can handle anything goin’ on.”
The title track checks in with its heartfelt message of optimism, of not giving up: “Don’t stay low, just go high.” The slow-rocking “Ride All Night” follows, loping along on lyrical guitar riffs. “Isolation” floats in, with a hint of psychedelia in its instrumentation and lyrical imagery. Suter offers a majestic vocal turn on Leon Russell’s classic, “Song For You,” with just a piano caressing the melody.
“Love Always Wins” is an energetic touch of R&B, with the title conveying its potent message, followed by the closer, the dynamically soulful “Piece of Clay,” by Gloria Jones and Pamela Sawyer, a poignant plea for self-realization: “That’s what’s wrong with the world today / Everybody wants somebody to be their own piece of clay…”
The rich, rewarding vocals of Alexis P. Suter carry the soulful collection on “Just Stay High” to passionate musical levels that transcend their genres and lift our spirits with their eloquence. Don’t miss it!
“Just Stay High” from the album:
Tracklist & credits:
1. God Gave Me the Blues
2. Some People
3. Breathe
4. Be On Your Way
5. My Only Need
6. It Ain’t Easy
7. 4 Wheels Beats 2 Heels
8. Big Girl Panties
9. Just Stay High
10. Ride All Night
11. Isolation
12. Song For You
13. Love Always Wins
14. Piece of Clay
Personnel: Alexis P. Suter: Lead Vocals; Jimmy Bennett: Guitar; Peter Bennett: Bass Guitar (1, 4, 5, 7, 10, 15) Vocals (2, 6, 7, 9, 14); Ray Grappone: Drums (2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13,14) Daniel Weiss: Keyboards (2,7, 8, 9, 14); Vicki Bell: Vocals; Byron Isaacs: Bass (2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13); Will Bryant: Keyboards (except 7), Melodica (7); Lee Falco: Drums (1, 4, 5, 10) Percussion (2, 5, 11)
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