No doubt about it, Deborah Coleman's got chops. Voice, guitar, songwriting: they're all there, and musings as to why this woman hasn't yet achieved crossover success are necessarily uncharitable toward mainstream tastes an... more »d predilections. There's no question she could teach a thing or two to all those young axe slingers littering the blues-rock landscape; briefly put, she's better. Coleman seems to be heading in a more contemporary direction with Soft Place to Fall, in contrast to her previous release, 1998's Where Blue Begins. It might be her tastes are changing, or it might be she's making a bid for the mainstream. Unfortunately, the more rock she mixes into her blues, the less powerful the result. For better or worse, the blues are Coleman's strength. However, Soft Place to Fall does boast some incredibly good music, especially on the last few tracks: "So Damn Easy" has the nicest swing and sway to it, "Nothin' to Do with Love" goes straight for the gut, and the album ends on an extremely high note with "The Day It Comes." It's just a pity that it takes so long to hit its stride, especially considering the rocket-fueled energy Coleman is so capable of. --Genevieve Williams« less
No doubt about it, Deborah Coleman's got chops. Voice, guitar, songwriting: they're all there, and musings as to why this woman hasn't yet achieved crossover success are necessarily uncharitable toward mainstream tastes and predilections. There's no question she could teach a thing or two to all those young axe slingers littering the blues-rock landscape; briefly put, she's better. Coleman seems to be heading in a more contemporary direction with Soft Place to Fall, in contrast to her previous release, 1998's Where Blue Begins. It might be her tastes are changing, or it might be she's making a bid for the mainstream. Unfortunately, the more rock she mixes into her blues, the less powerful the result. For better or worse, the blues are Coleman's strength. However, Soft Place to Fall does boast some incredibly good music, especially on the last few tracks: "So Damn Easy" has the nicest swing and sway to it, "Nothin' to Do with Love" goes straight for the gut, and the album ends on an extremely high note with "The Day It Comes." It's just a pity that it takes so long to hit its stride, especially considering the rocket-fueled energy Coleman is so capable of. --Genevieve Williams
"Playing a wicked slide guitar and lead guitar and always writing some of the most impressive cuts on her CDs, Deborah Coleman is a new force to be reckoned with on the blues scene. Her voice is raw and full and powerful, capable of punching out biting sarcasm or pure sexy overtones that will set the blood to throbbing with the basso backbeat on many of her songs that are just fun. A person new to Deborah Coleman will want to pick up SOFT PLACE TO FALL as the introductory CD to showcase her guitar work, her voice, and her full range as an entertainer.Deborah Coleman has five CDs out. Blind Pig Records put out her latest CD, LIVINý ON LOVE, as well as SOFT PLACE TO FALL and the previous two, WHERE BLUE BEGINS and I CANýT LOSE. TAKINý A STAND was released by New Moon. Coleman was born into a musical family and had early aspirations of becoming a blues singer. However, she put that aside to become a full-time electrician and raise her daughter. She returned to the music field with a vengeance in 1993 when she won first place in the Charleston Blues Festivalýs National Amateur Talent Search. She put together a small band consisting of her brother and a friend, who had only played heavy metal music until that point.SOFT PLACE TO FALL kicks over with a bluesy rocker ýLook What You Do To Meý that lets the listener know Coleman is there to entertain and have fun. Moving on into ýConfusedý, Coleman maintains the rocking beat, bringing out the guitar work sheýs becoming more and more noted for. The title cut, ýSoft Place To Fallý was written by Coleman and demonstrates the haunting lyrics sheýs capable of, as well as the deep, emotional voice. ýDonýt Lie To Meý is a sarcastic blues rocker that can lead to some serious toe-tapping and righteous indignation. Showcasing a serious rocking beat and biting sarcasm, ýIf You Love Me Like You Sayý is so well done the song parades a music video through the listenerýs head while Coleman heats up the guitar strings. ýAnother Hoping Foolý slows the CD down, bringing out the chance for Coleman to use her voice to carry the music and the emotion, oozing pure sex through the speakers. ýIým A Womaný is a proud declaration over definite blues riffs that reach down into the heart of the music with a driving backbeat. Changing the mix again, Coleman delivers ýSo Damn Easyý as a rollicking blues performance that pulls the listener into laid-back bliss. Stepping up the bass again, Coleman strides right into ýNothiný To Do With Loveý, a driving bluesy commentary on society. ýWhat Goes Aroundý is a hot tempo, back-in-your-face piece that is full of sex and sass. Coleman wraps and excellent CD with ýThe Day It Comesý, guaranteed to put a beat in the listenerýs heart, mellow him or her out, then leave the listener in a good place as the last strains of the song fades away.Deborah Colemanýs work is recommended to anyone that likes a good contemporary blues mix. Fans of Bonnie Raitt and Delbert McClinton will find much to like here. Coleman produces lyrics and guitar licks that hit home bone deep."
JimJN
james j. neri | Berlin, CT United States | 11/01/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have not commented on Deborah Coleman's other CDs although they too are excellent. But after I bought her new one "Soft Place to Fall" I had to add my 2 cents. This is easily one of the best, and freshest Blues CD releases to come out in a long, long time. On this outing she has also managed to do something few Blues performers have ever accomplished; on several songs she has successfully merged Blues with a somewhat more contemporary sound. It adds a level of real excitement and freshness to this effort. On this CD, Deborah and her band really display their talents and serve up a full sound of polished, infectious rhythm that cannot be denied. There is plenty of traditional Blues and guitar leads here as well. This time out Deborah leaves no doubt (if there ever was any) that she is a Blues Woman Extraordinaire. You can't go wrong with this CD."
Killer cool album
Brent Hilton | Layton, Utah USA | 09/07/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"ok maybe somebody slap me aside the head , but i can't believe this talented woman has'nt got any top 40 radio play i mean come on i think this is one excellent album she has the attitude, soul she's got the groove so what's wrong with that have flavor on the radio , i'm sick almost sound the same bland pop stars that think they're so hot, she could blow them out of the water. i dig what she playing this album has a mix of different things , but all in all it's still blues r&b smokin."
Wonderful CD
rrogbra@hotmail.com | Philadelphia, PA USA | 02/19/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I first heard Deborah Coleman while listening one Saturday to WXPN-FM, the members-supported radio station at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia (88.5 FM). This is a very diverse, eclectic radio station in which you are likely to hear B.B.King, Laura Nyro and John Cale in the same hour. I bought her CD the same day. I heard her voice, heard her guitar, saw the CD cover and fell in love with a beautiful,talented woman. She can do everything: rock, blues, rockabilly. She brings to the table,also, an ability to sing about pain, lost loves, issues of social consciousness; and all the while doing this by not allowing herself, her soul and her music to be categorized. It is absolutely no coincidence, then, that a Black Woman recorded this CD. The music defines her and all Black Women: Uncompromising. The open track "Look What You Do To Me" hooks you right away and you can't stop listening to the CD in its entirety. Not since Barbara Lynn has there been such an extremely gifted Black female electical guitarist. I highly recommend this CD."
Riveting
Bethany A. Showell | Beltsville, Maryland United States | 02/20/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I don't count myself as a fan of the blues. But I happened to hear Deborah Coleman perform live. From the first bass heavy chord, I was hooked. I bought her CD right then and there. Her songs are full of bass, raspy voice and emotion. There's something about her that just gets into your blood, into your being and hangs on for dear life. There's no one thing I can pinpoint that strikes me about her music but I can say that this is a lady of true talent with a true understanding of the music she has chosen."