VERA BLACK

Australian Vera Black has voice powerful enough to evoke memories of Janis Joplin, Annie Lennox and Grace Slick. This is an apt comparison, considering that Black refers to her sound as Soul/Rock/Modern Woodstock. Her clever lyrics, catchy melodies and unstoppable hooks give a fresh spin on familiar genres. Songs like “The Fool,” “Feeling Cold” and “Must Be Something” are at one fresh and yet familiar.

In 2010, Black, formerly known as Amanda Baker, won the 2010 Show Me The Music songwriting competition, and has since toured the U.S. and Canada. Black made the move to the U.S. in June 2011, and with this relocation, it seems to us that the U.S. is about to witness Vera Black really blossom and make it big. - College News

Album Review by the Founder of Public Revolution

Superstitious Woman is the real deal. A damn fine collection of heartfelt songs from gorgeous new songstress Amanda Baker. Song 1 Lonely Soldier eases us into Amanda's unique vocal style like an appetizer to warm the ears.

Song 2 Rooftop keeps us in a similar gear with an injection of funk just over the horizon until finally hitting soul train by sunset. Throw it all Away is pure indi pop bliss with sweeping angst-soaked hooks and is destined to be a hit. Xavier Girl seems to be more experimental track before track 5 Addictions suddenly pulls us deeper into Amanda's world. Building and swelling, the songs ends in pain-filled climax and is definitely another tune to watch.

In Losing my Identity Amanda literally speaks, shouts and sings from the heart as we head full speed to funky town in this upbeat number. Title track Superstitious Woman takes a couple of listens to really grab you and is impressive considering it was Amanda's first writing effort. Track 8 I am Sam is a pure acoustic ballad that is more reminiscent of the greats like Joni Mitchell or Janis Joplin, just listen to the words and take it in. Next up is bluesy soulful RnB number Give it All featuring T. You'll swear you're in the deep south......this girl can sing!

Song 10 City of Love introduces us to a more vulnerable Amanda Baker as she dances over a light piano backing. Everyman for Himself is a tricky little number with an elusive intro that almost beckons the next button until POW! We're off on a 5 star party cruise around the Caribbean with ample champagne a-flowin.

Track 12 Keep in Simple is a scat type ditty with loads of Soul. Where does this talented girl get it from? Alien finishes off Amanda's amazing first offering and takes us back to the kind of brilliance Peter Gabriel once gave to the world.

There is no doubt Amanda has found her calling in music/ songwriting/ performing. This superstitious woman has got the goods everywhere it counts...

-Album review by the Founder.
- Public Revolution The Founder

SKOPE MAGAZINE Artist Spotlight Review

Fave: I was extremely conflicted, trying to make a choice of my favorite in this month’s picks. Most of you probably thought I’d pick the outlier, Michio, because you know how much I love Latin-based music. Others, of you probably thought I’d pick Colette Cheverie—afterall, I’m a traditional folkie at heart. But it really was the versatile Amanda Baker who has a voice that you’d expect to have come from Motown or even New York City. But Baker comes from Down Under. Born in New Zealand, Baker found her musical legs in Australia. Her rich, versatile voice easily moves from rock to soul to old-style R&B to blues, delivering a soft croon or a powerful, gutsy belt. There’s a bit of Gracie Slick and Joss Stone in her work. She writes in a number of genres, fitting the lyrics to what melody, musical style, and instrumentation is best, but always lets the words and her voice come to the front even though she’s got a kick-butt, six-piece back up band. It’s a brilliant decision because it is the strength of her lyrics (which deal with violence, drug addiction, self identity, relationships, etc.) and her vocal delivery that creates the ambiance of her performances. Amanda Baker released her debut CD Supersitious Woman in 2006 and then released the single, “The Queen,” a year later to rave reviews. This year, she will have two EP releases. They are worth the effort to find them.

Words by Janie Franz - janie_58201@yahoo.com
- Skope Online Magazine

Amanda Baker selected as spokesperson for child poverty coalition

Kitchener, Ont, Canada, August 24, 2007 --(PR.com)-- Emerging independent singer/songwriter Amanda Baker has been described as a “diva” due to her soulful vocal style and command of the stage. Her trademark phrase “I'm not here to be a princess, I'm here to be the Queen.” is even available on T-shirts sold at her shows, but this diva has a huge heart for children living in extreme poverty. Baker recorded a video that is being used to welcome visitors to Worldview and the sixteen artists from ten countries who are featured on their new website (worldview.ca) Each artist has contributed a recent music video and also recorded their thoughts on child poverty and/or child sponsorship to encourage people to consider sponsoring a child through one of Worldview's featured charities.

According to site creator Stephen Jarnick “Amanda's endorsement video is very real. It impressed everyone we showed it to, and there was no question that it was the best choice to represent what Worldview is all about.”

Baker, who was born in New Zealand, and raised in Perth, is currently based in Sydney Australia. Her shows range from solo performances to being backed by a nine piece band. The video for her song “Addictions” which is featured on Worldview, was shot by her brother - cinematographer Denson Baker. As an independent artist, the award winning video was self-funded with the help of many fans of Baker's music.
- Google World News

Amanda Baker impressed me most with her abilities and rare talent of transporting the emotional content of her music straight to the heart, without filters or distractions. She is not “just” singing a great song about a difficult subject, she is telling a story and lets you feel and participate in what it all means to her in a way only great musicians can do. Beware! A truly addictive voice.
By Roli Mosiman - Digifestival