Lisa Biales (pronounced “Be-Alice”) has a uniquely clear voice reminiscent of Patsy Cline, whom she once portrayed in a community theater musical production. That clear, soothing voice of hers is a fresh change from the scorching vocals of many country and blues singers today.
The Oxford, Ohio based Biales has independently released seven previous albums mostly focused on the blues but with a healthy dose of country. Her early works, beginning with Chasing Away the Blues in 2006, featured mostly original works. Just Like Honey, released in 2012, was the first of her releases to feature more covers than originals. It began with a rousing interpretation of Memphis Minnie’s “Call the Fire Wagon” and included, among others, covers of Bonnie Raitt’s “Give It Up” and the Delmore Brothers’ “Blues Stay Away From Me.” Her originals, “Gypsy Woman Blues,” “Come To Me” and “Peaches” stood up well in the collection.
For Singing In My Soul Biales is joined by guitarist and producer Ricky Nye and the Paris Blues Band (Thibaut Chopin on upright bass, Anthony Stelmaszack on guitars, and Simon “Shuffle” Boyer on drums). The songs are all covers except for Biales’ “Magic Garden.” The covers include “Strange Things Happening Every Day” and “Singing In My Soul” by Sister Rosetta Tharpe, “Let The Mermaids Flirt With Me” by Mississippi John Hurt and “Careless Love” by W.C. Handy. But the song that bests them all is an old show tune, “I Only Have Eyes For You” by Harry Warren and Al Dubin. On that track, it is clear how entrancing and true Biales’ singing can be at its best.
Singing In My Soul is worth a listen and shows that the relatively unknown Lisa Biales has a clear direction on the path to success.
About the author: Bill Wilcox is a roots music enthusiast recently relocated from the Washington, DC area to Philadelphia, PA and back again.