Where Blue Begins
Where Blue Begins | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1998 | |||
Genre | Blues | |||
Label | Blind Pig | |||
Deborah Coleman chronology | ||||
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Where Blue Begins is an album by the American musician Deborah Coleman, released in 1998.[1][2] Coleman supported the album with a North American tour, backed by her band, the Thrillseekers.[3] Coleman was nominated for a W. C. Handy Award for best "Blues Instrumentalist, Guitar".[4]
Production
[edit]Coleman wanted a smoother sound for the album, and chose to use Luther Allison's band rather than her touring band.[5][6] She worked on her songs by driving around in her van and using a tape recorder to capture musical ideas.[7] Coleman played a Fender Squier Telecaster.[8] Most of the lyrics are drawn from Coleman's personal experience.[9] "They Raided the Joint" is a version of the Louis Jordan song.[10] "Hain't It Funny" is a cover of the song by Jane Siberry.[11]
Critical reception
[edit]Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
DownBeat | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote that Coleman "has a soulful, expressive voice that complements a guitar style that moves fluidly from subtle to searing."[15] The San Diego Union-Tribune said that "she writes insightful songs with tales pulled from her own experience and delivers them with sass and emotional intensity."[16] Jazziz noted that "some solos, perhaps inspired by Jeff Beck, are fleet-fingered and linear, though Coleman more often repeats short cascades of notes."[17] The Toronto Star concluded that, "though her voice clearly has a way to go before it makes you misty-eyed, her axe work is nothing less than astonishing."[18] The Washington Post opined that, "when Coleman tries to blend blues and funk, as on the opening track 'Love Moves Me', she matches cliches from each camp rather than crafting something new."[19]
AllMusic labeled Coleman "a female lead singer who's not imitating the bellowing 'blues mama' persona so familiar to the genre, and she's one hell of a lead guitar player."[12]
Track listing
[edit]No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "Love Moves Me" | |
2. | "Goodbye Misery" | |
3. | "Hain't It Funny" | |
4. | "Travelin' South" | |
5. | "The Dream" | |
6. | "Walk Your Walk" | |
7. | "They Raided the Joint" | |
8. | "Do You Want My Love" | |
9. | "On the Hunt" | |
10. | "Beside Myself" | |
11. | "Nobody to Blame" |
References
[edit]- ^ Feber, Eric (24 Sep 1998). "Deborah Coleman: Singer-Guitarist from Chesapeake Is Riding a Blue Wave to Fame, Happiness". The Virginian-Pilot. p. E1.
- ^ Johnson, Jeff (9 Oct 1998). "Deborah Coleman's blues have their own roots". Weekend Plus. Chicago Sun-Times. p. 6.
- ^ "Deborah Coleman and the Thrillseekers". Time Out. Daily Herald. Arlington Heights. 9 Oct 1998. p. 4.
- ^ Ross, Curtis (19 May 2000). "Coleman's not singing the blues". Friday Extra!. The Tampa Tribune. p. 20.
- ^ Krewen, Nick (2 July 1998). "Blues artist winning raves Deborah Coleman has one aim — to win a Grammy Award". Waterloo Region Record. p. D3.
- ^ McDonald, Sam (6 Nov 1998). "Quick Checks". Daily Press. Newport News. p. D4.
- ^ Johnston, Katie (20 Nov 1998). "A Woman's Best Friend: Guitar becomes constant companion for Deborah Coleman". The Gazette. Colorado Springs. p. GO12.
- ^ Levy, Adam (Mar 1999). "Deborah Coleman". Guitar Player. Vol. 33, no. 3. pp. 50–52.
- ^ Levesque, Roger (21 Aug 1999). "Coleman true inspiration to blues women". Edmonton Journal. p. C5.
- ^ "Deborah Coleman Where Blue Begins". The Windsor Star. 26 Nov 1998. p. E6.
- ^ Elwood, Philip (19 Dec 1998). "On schedule to be a major music figure Deborah Coleman is where blue begins". San Francisco Examiner. p. B3.
- ^ a b "Where Blue Begins Review by Todd Deery". AllMusic. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
- ^ Hadley, Frank-John (Dec 1998). "Where Blue Begins". DownBeat. Vol. 65, no. 12. p. 92.
- ^ The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings. Penguin Books. 2006. p. 127.
- ^ White, Jim (3 Oct 1998). "Blawnox Blues". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. C18.
- ^ Kinsman, Michael (3 Dec 1998). "The lady sings the blues — and quite well, thank you". Entertainment. The San Diego Union-Tribune. p. 16.
- ^ Palmer, Don (Feb 1999). "Answering a need". Jazziz. Vol. 16, no. 2. p. 32.
- ^ Chapman, Geoff (4 Mar 1999). "Musician's axe work 'astonishing'". Entertainment. Toronto Star. p. 1.
- ^ Himes, Geoffrey (13 Aug 1999). "Deborah Coleman 'Where Blue Begins'". The Washington Post. p. N9.