…Whatever Song She Chooses To Conquer…

Artist: Deborah E
Album: Albumette
Review by Kelly O’Neil

Lots of stereotypes surround redheads, including that they are sassy, snobby and will steal your boyfriend. Whether or not those trivialities hold true, what can be said about one particular Los Angeles-based redhead is that she commands attention. Deborah E possesses an incredible deep-throated voice that obeys whatever direction she tells it to go. Her singing style is captivating and mature without losing itself in a quandary of sentimental emotions

Heralding not only jazz but Broadway and soul influences, Lady D, as she is affectionately called, exhibits a wide array of equally enrapturing vocal styles. She opens her EP Albumette with Paul Francis Webster and Sonny Burke’s standard “Black Coffee,” scantily crawling around in her lower register. Each syllable is as rich and dark as the title suggests. Every vocal turn is impeccably smooth, perfectly timed and expertly handled.

Deborah performs a credible cover of the unassuming masterpiece “Killing Me Softly,” first done by Roberta Flack and later by The Fugees. The tempo may be a hair too fast, but the well-known ballad plays out predictably. Deborah sings more upright and straight than in the jazz numbers where her voice is covered in a mysterious sultry shroud. The acoustic guitar player adds wonderful embellishments from the line “Strumming my pain with his fingers,” to the tasteful bridge solo over subtle strings. “Perfectly Wonderful World” opens with a nice piano and string duet. Deborah is singing at her highest and most crystalline yet in this happy ballad. The first half of the bridge loses energy with her soprano musings that are scarcely heard above the instruments. In the second half the piano comes to the fore with a droll tinkling solo with light drum and string accompaniment.

A dynamic aspect of Albumette is the recording quality. With a slight echo resounding from the vocals it sounds as if the album were recorded live and thus inviting a more intimate aural experience for the listener. “Just Say When” adds to this quality with its perky upbeat vibe. The song is in a higher vocal range resulting in clearer enunciation. Deborah has collaborated with a phenomenal group of musicians, notably the saxophonist in this tune. His tone is not obnoxiously bright, and not too mellow either, creating a nice blend with the vocals. The extended coda featuring a dialogue between the saxophone and the organ is a treat worth mentioning.

The big production number and grand finale to Albumette is “Only Temporary.” This rocking number has empowering vocal breaks between heavy downbeats as Deborah mockingly sings tongue-in-cheek about her cruddy job and crummy boyfriend but then positively belts out that both of these misfortunes are “only temporary.” The walking blues line in the bridge is the perfect backdrop for an awesome growling saxophone duet giving way to the thrilling electric guitar. The song remains surprisingly upbeat despite, “Sometimes this life may get a little scary / But it’s only temporary.” It is a fantastic sentiment coupled with an infectious groove. The saxophone leads into a formidable jam that begins in the same call and response as the opening. Then he cuts loose running up and down the full range of the horn, even jumping effortlessly into the altissimo range. The electric guitar joins in with a slight overdrive effect taking the song out.

Lady D and her band mates are exceptionally talented musicians and have chosen a fantastic collection of songs to best showcase their gifts on Albumette. Deborah has an awesome vocal range and easily wraps her voice around whatever song she chooses to conquer.

Review by Kelly O’Neil

GoGirls Interview with Deborah E by Madalyn Sklar. Originally posted @ Madalyn's Blog. Used by permission.

What drives your music? When did you first know you had to do this thing called music or bust?

The heart and soul of life itself drives my music.

When I was a little girl, I used to grab anything that looked like a microphone and sing and sing and sing. I would make up songs – anything to entertain. I would hand out tickets to come to my shows in our living room with the theatre drapes. My brother says I would rake leaves for 3 minutes and go play the piano and sing for 10 minutes. Hey, I had another concept for a song!

Describe your music style and name three musicians you have been inspired by and why.

My current music style is Jazz, however, my musical taste buds travel the gamut.

It is hard to pick three musicians. I grew up listening to the Standards and watching Lawrence Welk on Saturday Nights, but would sneak in and watch Soul Train on the TV. My Barbies knew all the moves while I sang.

What’s your ideal venue atmosphere?

You know, I loved watching “I Love Lucy,” growing up. Not sure if I would say that that is the “ideal” venue atmosphere, but I would love to perform at Ricky Ricardo’s Club. Add Bing Crosby’s “Holiday Inn” atmosphere and a TV variety show with Michael Bublé and I can retire .

Describe how your music career has evolved since you first started performing.

I think my music career has evolved in the same way as my life. The more I learn, the more I realize there is to learn. The more I give, the more I realize that I have to give. The more talent I find in myself, the more talent I find in others.

How would you describe the music scene in your area?

Diversified. This is a wonderful place to live. There are so many different styles and musical tastes. One’s palette never tires of the diversification.

What was the inspiration for your latest release?

Listening to Ella Fitzgerald. She exudes the emotion of whichever song she is singing at that time. Even if she forgets the words, she draws the listener in and never fails to please the ear, and leave one wanting more.

What do you think is number one for a musician to think about before preparing for a CD project and do you have any tips on saving time in the studio?

Remember WHY you are doing what you are doing. If you think it is only for money, think again. If you think it is only for fame, think again. If you desire to share this thing called music welling up inside of you – Go for it!

We saved some time in the studio by recording demo versions of the songs on our own studio. Then, we listened to the demo versions, especially via the iPod in the car, over and over and over. We went back into the studio, recording another demo version, implementing changes from the feedback from the first demo and so on and so on. This saved us days in the studio because we had the opportunity to hear different theories on how to approach the songs. That, and of course, playing the songs at live gigs.

What makes or breaks a musician just starting out in your opinion?

Attitude. If you think too highly of yourself, look around and think again. If you think too lowly of yourself, take a deep breath, pull yourself up, and think again.

Describe your toughest moments in your quest for a music career and tell us how you overcame them.

Listening to a couple “naysayers” was probably the hardest obstacle to overcome.

Years ago, my guy told me that he would leave me if I ever made it big in music. I decided that he was more important to me than music (I was young!) and I hung up the music dream for good. Years later, I dumped him, but was so used to leaving music on the hook, that I left music there, until my new guy, wonderful husband, Michael, bought me a Yamaha S90ES.

I told him I didn’t need another keyboard and besides, keyboards do not replace real pianos, but… there was just something about this keyboard. I felt like Rip Van Winkle coming alive after decades of slumber. The music stirred and came alive. Now, there is no putting it on the hook again. It is what flows through my veins.

It is my legacy to my children, my gift to those I love.

What advice would you offer up and coming artists that get discouraged other than don’t give up?

It sounds cliché, but don’t give up! No matter what people say, do not give up.

Remember why you are doing this. Like I’ve said before, if you do it for the money, money will eventually disappoint you. If you do it for fame or power, fame will fleet away when you are no longer the flavor of the day.

If you do it for the music and the love of music, you will love what you do and that will see you through, even those dark moments. Pick up your art, feel it reverberate through your being and enjoy. Don’t forgot that joy that leads you to the music!

Tell us something you want the music world to know about you.

Ahhhh. If you see me on stage, you would not think me shy. Well, for that matter, those that know me, know I am not shy. I am a red personality, outgoing, grabbing life by the horns, but, at times, rather private. Sometimes I forget that others may want to care as much as I care for them. It is easy to reach out and help others. It is also easy to be a Prima Donna at times, too. What is a little tricky is being understood when you are a bit complicated, mixture of science and art.

What have you gotten out of being a member of the GoGirls community?

GoGirls is so supportive. This is my first year and I am so looking forward to getting more involved as time goes on. I love that there are different musicians coming together from different regions, from different musical genres, and different perspectives, making a difference, and like Madalyn says, ‘Cuz Chicks Rock!

Web Sites:
Artist Web Site: www.deborah.info
Blog: www.scatnstyle.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/deborahinfo
MySpace: www.myspace.com/deborahinfo
ReverbNation: www.reverbnation.com/deborahe
Twitter: www.twitter.com/deborahe
YouTube: www.youtube.com/deborahinfo
Jango Internet Radio: Jango
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/deborahinfo
TJNW: TJNW
All About Jazz: All About Jazz

Copyright © 2010 GoGirlsMusic.com

Madalyn Sklar is a music business coach & consultant, blogger, social networks expert and author. She has spent over 14 years helping independent musicians and music business professionals achieve greater success in the biz. Her motto is: working smarter not harder. She also founded GoGirlsMusic.com, the oldest + largest online community of indie women musicians.