Debbie Deane
Brooklyn, New York, United States | Established. Jan 01, 1996 | INDIE
Music
Press
"Lush. Intelligent. Soulful. Wise." - Amy Brenneman, Actor
"Singer Songwriter Debbie Deane's debut cd is an engaging collection of sophisticated pop and folk which will appeal to fans of well-crafted music. Deane's lovely voice and arrangements make use of some extraordinary musicians: Wayne Krantz, Rodney Homes, Jeff Andrews, Brian Blade, Joshua Redman and Phil Markowitz, among others.
Check out this modern songstress who joins such artists as Joni Mitchell in the realm of modern, progressive songwriting."
- David Dorkin
Sometimes a new face just seems to come out of the blue. A talent that wasn't there and just then was. For Debbie Deane, as with most talents, it was the usual decade plus 'overnight' success that just appeared that way. Judging from those she chose to accompany her on her maiden voyage, she did it right though.
When you first hear the soulful voice of Deane you might think of other another soul chanteuse or two. Deane credits Aretha for her piano influence but its not a far cry to hear some of Franklin's emotive vocal signature within her own delivery.
Joined here by an amazingly varied array of New York's current crop of top sidemen, including Josh Redman, Wayne Krantz, Jeff Andrews and Brian Blade, Deane delves into personal experience and various aspects and points of love, loss and beyond. So is it sophisticated pop or the have-groove-will-travel brand of jazz? In reality, its both and both done well. For the apparent influences its just cool and different and that's a lot more than one is likely to get for the most part these days.
Of those influences easily heard in the music itself are Steely Dan (harmonically especially on "Hit the Rewind" and "Kari") and at times even other singer/songwriters like Jewel, Sheryl Crow, Tori Amos, Alanis, Alana Davis. Great company for sure.
Deane has a languid, yet crisp and emotive delivery, soul to burn and has just deservedly scored a German publishing deal with a tour to follow next year. Here's a thought: let's not let Europe 'discover' her before we show we have the taste and hipness to beat them to it.
Other standouts include "Kari" and "Tell Me", where Redman shines brilliantly and Debbie's pleading, autobiographical, jazz phrasing on the latter books a journey we all know all too well. "These Are the Words" displays Deane's gospel power on the shout chorus and "That Can be Arranged" is a breathy reading against a tight acoustic funk groove/modal vamp.
I wish all debuts could be as strong as this one. And its not due just to the the stellar sidemen, though they do add some amazing depth, groove and color to the arrangements, it's the heart and soul of the artist's music and vision. In a word, soul.
For more evidence that she's one to watch, visit her website at: NY Singer/ Song- writer Debbie Deane's Home Page and listen to "Finally Free". "Kari" and " These Are the Words". Since my copy's staying in the player, your copy of the self titled, "Debbie Deane" is available at Amazon.com and CDBaby.com. But like so many things, it doesn't matter where you get it, just that you do.
- Mike Brannon
"Native New Yorker Debbie Deane is a passionate songwriter with a penchant for jazz-flavored chords and soulful vocals. The word skills of an English Lit major and some fine piano playing make for a serious combo of talent and inspiration." - Richard Antone
“It’s a genuine old fashioned singer-songwriter album in the best sense that while listening to it reminds me of a long bygone: for Joni Mitchell’s “The Hissing of Summer Lawns”, the first two albums of Rickie Lee Jones, and the old love of Laura Nyro….”
- Ulrich Kreist
“Surprise of the month! The debut album of Debbie Deane upon first appearance seems to be a jazz record with a sticker on it indicating collaborators Wayne Krantz and Joshua Redman. However, this is misleading. What one hears is an almost classic singer-songwriter album in the style of the 70’s. Debbie Deane’s voice often reminds one of Joni Mitchell’s on the jazzy records “Blue” and “The Hissing of Summer Lawns”. - Lift (Stuttgart)
"Debbie sings like an angel. Her compositions are amazing.
Everyone needs to hear her." - Jeff Pevar- guitarist with Crosby, Stills & Nash
Discography
Debbie Deane Grove House RKM Music (2007)
Sing Out Loud! Te Records (2007)
ESC Records Sampler Vol 2. (2006)
Maestros of Cool- a Tribute To Steely Dan--
ESC Records (2005)
Debbie Deane, Debbie Deane (2005) ESC Records
ESC Records Sampler Vol. 1 (2002)
Debbie Deane, Hit The Rewind, (2002) ESC Records
Brooklyn Above Ground (2000)
Debbie Deane, Debbie Deane (debut) 2000
Photos
Bio
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, the multitalented Debbie Deane hails from a musical world without boundaries, where rock-oriented singer-songwriters and top-tier jazz musicians breathe the same creative air. After earning a degree in English Literature, Debbie embarked on her music career, studying jazz intensively at Bostons Berklee College of Music, honing the piano skills that she continues to display as a singer-songwriter.
Upon moving back to Brooklyn, she lived in a jazz den, a rental she found on Prospect Place in Park Slope, with some of the citys most promising jazz musicians, including saxophonist Seamus Blake, drummer Marc Miralta, pianists John Stetch and Geoge Colligan. Their apartment became an incubator for burgeoning jazz musicians in New York City in the 90s, with saxophonist Joshua Redman, as well as scores of other musicians, stopping by to hang out and jam.
With her strong, versatile singing voice and impressive skills on piano, Debbie poured her soul into her originals songs, distilling influences that include Carole King, Aretha Franklin, Joni Mitchell and Steely Dan. She spent the 90s singing, performing, and being passed from major labels who thought she was too jazz or not jazz enough, or indies that folded before her album could come out.
Her songs have appeared in a number of films and TV shows, including Party of Five (and on Jennifer Love Hewitts Atlantic debut Lets Go Bang). In 2005, Deanes self-titled debut CD featuring Brian Blade, Wayne Krantz, Phil Markowitz, Joshua Redman, and more, was licensed by the German label ESC Records and released in Europe.
The richly rewarding Grove House, to be released in June, 2007, is her debut on RKM Records, a label run by the illustrious jazz saxophonist Ravi Coltrane. Once again, Deane brings warmth, sophistication and rock-n-roll edge to the table, leading a cast of fine musicians as she sings of love, ambivalence and freedom.
Band Members
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