Deborah Coleman comes at you like a bat out of hell with "Livin' On Love." As always, a tough opening, followed by two more killers. A quiet and moving track # 4: "Memory Lane," follows. Gone is her signature Fender tele, in its place, a very fine Gibson Les Paul. On tracks 3, 7, and 8, Jimmy Thackery's (guest artist!) strat is unmistakable. Check out Deb's guitar on "Crazy," a Coleman original-one of my favs; complete with some real fine background vocals. The band is in top form with Billy Crawford (guitar), Debra "Nardi" Salyer (bass-very cool, I might add!), Marty Binder (drums), Reba Russell (background vocals), and Al Gamble (piano on track #1). For me, the best cover song would have to be Lowell Fulsom's, "Bending Like A Willow Tree." Deb really shines and does the song justice-A+-all the way! I really dig Coleman's guitar playing abilities-totally original. I was sold on her from the start with Blind Pig, and she just keeps getting better. Her song writing abilities are in the better class; especially, on numbers like "Don't Talk In My Sleep," another Coleman original. The other two Coleman originals are the final two tracks: "Torn In Two," track #10, and "Deserted Highway," track#11. Six out of eleven songs were penned by Deb. Man, the finale, "Deserted Highway" says it all. The lyrics and her soulful guitar, and the highway, lonely and long-haven' we all been down that road? This recording is flawless.
This review is copyright © 2001 by Dick Houff, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without written permission. For permission to use this review please send an E-mail to Ray Stiles.
Click button to join
our mailing list!
|
We build websites