October 29, 2023

Blues in the South – British Magazine

Reviewer: Noman Darwen

Deb Callahan—Backbone

Blue Pearl (www.debcallahanband.com) Singer Deb Callahan out of Philadelphia is on her sixth album with this rather fine release. She is a strong blues and soul singer, as the first two tracks show – the opener, ‘What I’m Workin’ With’ is a punchy introduction, a soulful piece with bluesy touches in which Deb sets out just who she is and what you can expect. Next up is the modern blues of ‘Crazy Ride’ which showcases her credentials over a very impressive groove that allows the band to really shine. Deb and the core band have been working together for around sixteen years – they’re more than road-tested and it definitely shows… ‘Big Girl Pants’ is, perhaps a little surprisingly, a tough blues, and ‘Rogue’ is a moody, accusatory number, a little akin to Bobby Bland’s mid-70s output in sound. Then there is the relaxed, sexy, confident shuffle of ‘A Few New Tricks’, a wonderful cover of Percy Mayfield’s ‘Danger Zone’ that captures the smooth blues sound to a “T” – the album’s only other cover is something of a contrast, Sean Costello’s gritty ‘Anytime You Want’ – and ‘Still Fighting To Be Free’, a tough and effective amalgam of country blues and blues-rock. ‘Don’t Tread On Me’ is a slow, funk-tinged groove (think early Bobby Rush maybe), whereas ‘Cleaning House’ has a more minimalist backing with some lovely slide guitar playing, and ‘I Thought You Were My Girl’ takes us back to bitter-sweet soul, whilst ‘Just What The Doctor Ordered’ is a funky blues with a hint maybe of Stevie Wonder! So, a set that shows just what a talent Deb is. Check it out!