Better Than This

Live for the Raven & Blues Radio Show (www.ravenblues.co.uk) 2014

More Quotes

“…Mills possesses a dynamic vocal range, capable of blowing the doors off in one breath and then captivating the audience in barely a whisper the next as she delivers what only can be described as blue-eyed soul, a perfect mix of Muscle Shoals and Memphis atop a Nashville feel”
––Marty Gunther, Blues Blast Magazine

“…She sings like she means it.”
––George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly

“When Mills opens her mouth to sing––well, get ready to be moved.”
––Icon Fetch, Tony Peters,

“The Mississippi-born; Mobile, Alabama-based Lisa Mills beautifully meshes country, gospel, blues, soul and more together…without doubt one of the finest female singers and performers around!”
––Blues in the Northwest, Grahame Rhodes

“Lisa Mills…will appeal to blues, soul and Americana lovers of all persuasions.”
––Mick Rainsford, Blues in Britain

“Lisa can be called a blues singer, a gospel singer, a torch singer or an R&B singer–to which I might also add an Americana singer–and those are all correct. Most important, (I’m Changing) shows beyond doubt that she is an always bluesy, always a wonderful singer.
––Blues Matters, Victor Ian Leyland, Issue 82

“Lisa Mills- one of the finest blues singers you’ve probably not heard but will demand more of after this debut of her new disc.”
––Mike Reisz, Blues All Over The Place, WDPS-FM, Dayton, OH

“This Alabama-by-way-of-Mississippi songstress has been called a female Otis Redding….”
––Goldmine Magazine, Mike Greenblatt

“She has one of the most compelling voices that I’ve heard in a while.”
— Graham Clarke, Blues Bytes

“The Mississippi-born soul-shouter delivers pure joy and raw emotion. This is something else, something real.”
––Rhetta Akamatsu, Examiner.com

“I catch echoes of Sandy Denny, Led Zep’s Gallows Pole and Misty Mountain Hop, and other influences embedded in an atmosphere that seems as would accompany Donovan, Joni, and Janis back in the day.”
––Mark Tucker, FAME

“Here, right at the end of the season, another storm is brewing down in the Gulf. No, it’s not a meteorological one. This one is a musical ‘perfect storm,’ and it has its sights set on you. Lisa Mills has delivered a hurricane strength new album entitled I’m Changing. Chances are you’ll be changing too, after listening to her extraordinary voice.”
–– Examiner.com

“Some blues belters sacrifice nuance for gusto, but that’s not the case with Mills, who can grab the listener’s attention with a robust shout or a subtle, gently delivered phrase. belters sacrifice nuance for gusto, but that’s not the case with Mills, who can grab the listener’s attention with a robust shout or a subtle, gently delivered phrase.”
Bobby Reed, Downbeat

“A singer and songwriter of the first rank, uncompromising in the vision and concept of her art.”
–– David McGee, Deep Roots Magazine

*** ½ “When Mills sings, she means it. There is an authenticity to her music that few artists can conjure up.”
––David Bowling, Cashbox Music Reviews

****1/2 “Lisa Mills is a true discovery. Take a look at her website and purchase this masterpiece. You will not be disappointed.”
–– Philip Verhaege, Keys and Chords, Belgium

“If you got it, sing with everything you got, right? And Lisa Mills definitely has ‘it.’”
–– Greg Victor, Parc Bench

“Lisa Mills is one of the greatest blues singers of our time…If you love Bonnie Raitt, Janiva Magness or Grace Potter, Lisa Mills is right there at the table with them. Wonderful stuff.”
–Frank Matheis, contributing writer to Living Blues and publisher of thecountryblues.com

“(I’m Changing)…beautifully crafted and faultlessly delivered. … a musician at the pinnacle of her creative power.”
– Daniel Pavlica, The Rocktologist

“Lisa Mills is a natural soul burner.” ****
––Duane Vehr, Roots Music Report

“Not just another girl with a guitar, this is music made by a woman who knows her strengths and weaknesses, and can sing about them with more authority than a truckload of doe-eyed waifs emoting about first lovers.”
–- The Flame Still Burns.com

“This one would have my vote for “Female Vocalist of the Year,” hands down.”
––Bill Wilson, Reflections in Blue

“While the industry continues to herald the neo-soul movement, the album is a reminder that Mills was doing it long before Alabama Shakes or St. Paul & the Broken Bones.”
––Stephen Centanni, Lagniappe

“…to miss Mills is to miss a lot. Killer stuff throughout from one of the real deals.”Chris Spector, Midwest Record

“With its combination of gospel and blues and expert playing this disc is forceful, almost frighteningly so. It’s like listening to a mesmerizing story that you feel like you know but have never heard before, foreign and familiar at the same time. I’m Changing is a well full of cool soul-refreshing water, one that I plan to draw from deeply and often- simply gorgeous.”
–– John “The Rock Doctor” Kereiff, Gonzo Online

“Mississippi-born, Alabama-based singer/songwriter Lisa Mills is the real thing and no mistake, but don’t just take our word for it––stars no less stellar than Robert Plant and Dr. John have sung her praises and served her kudos, and with good reason. Her long-awaited second album,Tempered in Fire, reveals a voice of unusual passion and emotional erudition, and a level of soulful sophistication that recalls Stax’s legendary 60s hot streak with the impact of its sweltering bluesy funk. “
––Classic Rock Magazine (UK)

“One of my favourite discoveries of recent years, it’s always a joy to watch the faces of audience members who haven’t seen Lisa Mills before. What a voice, and enhanced by superb microphone technique. If you like your Americana with some southern soul and blues, and a big, big voice, then this is the singer for you.”
–- Andrew Heaps, Maverick Magazine (UK)

“Rarely do you get a vocalist who can belt out the blues with such power, then switch straight to a ballad…so utterly natural. She could easily be talked about in the same league as Aretha Franklin…”
––- Dave Woodhall, Birmingham Post (UK)

“A singer of tremendous range and passion…”
Adam Bates, Blues Matters

“One British critic described Lisa Mills’ Southern soul voice as a “full-throated Otis Redding.” And as showcased here, the Mobile, Alabama-based blues singer by way of Mississippi can certainly work a song like the iconic Stax/Volt legend.. ”
–- Eric Feber, The Virginian Pilot

Lisa Mills is blessed. Blessed, that is, with a vocal abilities that seem to encompass and embody every cliché ever applied to a gruff, gargle-with-broken-glass yet velvety-smooth voice. It’s a remarkable instrument indeed, and she employs it magnificently on Tempered In Fire, her natural melisma and southern drawl at times reminiscent of Lucinda Williams, while elsewhere she exudes the fiery passion and gritty intensity of the late, great Otis Redding.
–John Taylor, BLINDED BY SOUND

It is no secret to anyone who knows me that I love female blues singers. I even wrote a book about them! So, discovering Lisa Mills’ Tempered in Fire was like discovering buried treasure for me. Mills has a real blues voice. She has been described as “a full-throated female Otis Redding,” and I can see that. To me, she has the passion and emotion of Etta James or Bonnie Raitt, with a slightly ragged voice perfect for the blues. At times, her voice reminds me of Bonnie Tyler or Sheryl Crow.
– Rhetta Akamatsu, BC PREMIUM

“All in all, “Tempered in Fire” is the best surprise disc I have uncovered in many years. It is a stellar performance by a singer I certainly hope to hear a lot more of, and backed by a lean and mean band who knows how far to push and when to lay back. This one will be playing in my car for a long, long time.”
– Mike Hyland, SONOMA VALLEY SUN

While her voice is full of power and the band is slick as greased lightening, most of the tempos are slow to middling, which means this set is for sitting back and absorbing a voice you won’t believe you haven’t heard before, and a band you hope you’ll hear again.”
– By Wesley Britton, BLOGCRITICS.ORG, Seattle PI

“Tempered in Fire, is one of the best CDs to land on my desk in a while, a set of songs reared in gospel, saturated in the blues and sprinkled with rock.”
– Jim Clark, Lee County Courier-Tupelo, Mississippi

” I pulled a heart attack while listening to this disc, it would’ve required the skills of a half-dozen surgeons to get the grin of pleasure off my face… I suggest you grab this smokin’ disc.
– Mark S Tucker, FAME review for Folk Music Exchange

“LISA MILLS/Tempered in Fire: This album answers the question of what Bonnie Raitt would have sounded like if she hadn’t gone into a pop vein after her third album…Everything you ever loved about Muscle Shoals and blue eyed soul is here on proud display. A great time throughout. “
– Chris Spector, MIDWEST RECORD – CHICAGO, IL

“With her unique vocal ability to make one feel the good times and bad times in every song, Lisa Mills may elicit comparisons to Lucinda Williams or Delbert. With “Tempered In Fire,” she has the chops to achieve breakout success! “
– Sheryl and Don Crow, Nashville Blues Society

“A frequent visitor to our shores for about the last decade, Lisa Mills, the Southern belle from Mobile, Alabama, with a quite stunning voice, comes over on “Tempered In Fire”‘ like a full-throated female Otis Redding, with some Muscle Shoals soul and Nashville country touches for good measure, in the company of a great band, including her long-time associate Ian Jennings, who plays bass and co-produced the album; and the supremely talented Andy Fairweather Low on guitar.”
Graham Rhodes, Blues in the Northwest

“Mill’s last full studio album, 2005’s “I’m Changing” arguably was the best local album released that year. “Tempered in Fire” proves that Mills was just clearing her throat. “
– Lawrence F. Specker, The Press-Register

“It may sound exaggerated but this is a voice that bears comparison with any blues and soul singer from any era…Not only can Lisa sing but she’s a born entertainer…There was a reference to one song being written in Kidderminster, which made me wonder what would happen of one resident of that town (or thereabouts) did the same with this lady as he did with Allison Kraus? Robert Plant and Lisa Mills would certainly be a collaboration to savour.”
– Dave Woodhall, “Birmingham Post”

“These dynamic and inspiring performances help prove that Lisa Mills is the real deal; no studio tricks needed, no airbrushing required.”
Wade Wellborn, Currents Magazine.

“Nothing sounds borrowed. I haven’t heard an album this year by an artist who asserted his or her individuality more fearlessly.”
– Lawrence F. Specker, The Press-Register

“Lisa’s guitar playing is reassuringly functional, sometimes, surprisingly lyrical, always true to its roots in Southern Soul, blues and gospel. It’s the voice you come to hear, though — moving from a whisper of vulnerability to a harshly defiant rasp, coupled to masterful on-off-mike technique, and with a scary range… add to that real writing skills, and Lisa’s a force to be reckoned with.”
-Celf Cambria Arts