Nikki O’Neill – Stories I Only Tell My Friends
Nikki is a Chicago-based R&B artist who isn’t a belter but a well-defined soulful vocalist who adds a little ‘60s touch to her musicality but doesn’t overindulge. It’s easy to compare Ms. O’Neill (vocals/lead, rhythm & acoustic guitars/glockenspiel) to Bonnie Raitt, or Bonnie Bramlett (Delaney & Bonnie) because the little pinches of blues that Nikki adds are just for flavor. Their kind of flavor. The LP was for the most part captured live in the studio (which isn’t a new trick) but it adds just enough personality to her performance.
This is Nikki’s 3rd LP Stories I Only Tell My Friends (Drops March 14/Blackbird Record Label/37:42). Self-produced in Chicago with Rich Lackrowski (drums/percussion/vocals). There’s a nice, relaxed pace with no real showboating. There’s care taken in the building around lyrics & melodies that’s evident. There isn’t any unique sounding approach to Ms. O’Neill’s music, but she generates authenticity in her showcase.
She goes from fluorescent lit songs like the first 2 to the more candle lit ballad of “Live Like You’ve Just Begun.” It shows diversity. The addition of old-fashioned organ notes brings nostalgia. Nikki’s voice is well-adapted to a commercial-mainstream stylization as well (“I Just Knew”). This would enable her to sing more hit-oriented material if she chose. Her tonality isn’t too sweet (Emmylou Harris) or edgy (Lucinda Williams). It’s perfect for varied material that would stretch Nikki to the reaches of lounge singer or blues chanteuse.
Not everything on the set works perfectly. What’s proven is that Nikki, unlike others, knows her limitations & stays in lane when applying her pipes to faster numbers. She sounds like an entertaining performer. However, I don’t hear all the influences in her heroes (Prince, Pop Staples, Teenie Hodges). But that doesn’t matter. There’s more of a vintage Steve Cropper guitar sound in songs like “If I Got The Upper Hand.” Nikki has succeeded in carving out a niche that comfortably fits her. Most songs chug along nicely like “LA In the Morning (Every Time),” comes off closer with an upbeat rockabilly ‘50s punch. But that’s me.
As a writer & idea person, Nikki operates in a realm where she could’ve easily been hired by Muscle Shoals producers to write tunes for soul-blues-funk artists recording under that roof. There’s also a funkiness to her dips into the blues (“A Space To Dream”) that savors the genre. Quite a good groove. A relocation from CA that may have been a good choice.
Highlights – “Drive,” “Rainbow In the Cloud,” “Live Like You’ve Just Begun,” “I Just Knew,” “LA In the Morning (Every Time),” “If I Got The Upper Hand,” “A Space To Dream” & “Square One.”
Musicians – Chris Corsale (lead guitar/harmony), John Abbey & Chris Sanford (bass), Teddy Myers (organ/piano/Wurlitzer/Rhodes).
Cover photography by Justina Lee. CD at Bandcamp + https://nikkioneill.com/
Enjoy our previous coverage here: Song Premiere: Nikki O’Neill “That’s How You Lose Her”