Deb Callahan: “Backbone” (2023) CD Review

Deb Callahan is a blues vocalist based in Philadelphia. Her new album, Backbone, features mostly original material, songs that she wrote or co-wrote. The band backing her includes core members Allen James on electric guitar, Garry Lee on bass, and Tom Walling on drums. The album is dedicated to Tom Walling, who died in late November. Also playing on this release are Danny Schogger on organ and piano, and John Colgan Davis on harmonica, along with several guests on various tracks. This is Deb Callahan’s sixth album, and her first in eight years, following 2015’s Sweet Soul.

She opens the album with “What I’m Working With,” a bright burst of funky blues joy, the horns playing a prominent role in the song’s sound. Jay Davison is on saxophone, and Steve Jankowski is on trombone. Deb Callahan’s vocal delivery is strong and confident, a voice full of attitude. Here is a taste of the lyrics: “I may not run, but I can crawl/I might be sane, but I might be off the wall/You know, this is what I’m working with/What you see is what you get.” Well, all right! It sounds like she’s working with a whole lot, and everything is working so well. Halfway through the track, there is a delicious lead on guitar, backed by some wonderful touches on the horns. This is a song that urges us all to be ourselves. It seems like that would be the easiest thing, the most natural thing, but there is so much trepidation, so much worry about being judged. But just imagine how much healthier the world would be if everyone was his or her truest self. And imagine how joyful the world would be if it sounded like this track.

Some cool work on keys helps to establish the atmosphere of “Crazy Ride.” “Everything keeps changing/Got to stay ready/You know we’re on a crazy ride,” Deb Callahan sings on this one. And, yes, that sounds just about right. We are on a crazy ride, but it helps to have folks like Deb Callahan accompany us on the ride, her vocals guiding us, and a rhythm section that helps us shake some of our cares off. “Don’t want to dwell on my mistakes/And on things I cannot change.” That’s another tall order for most of us, but something to aim for. There is more delicious work on keys throughout this track, and I dig that guitar work during the jam at the end. This one was written by Deb Callahan, Chris Arms and Danny Schogger. That’s followed by “Big Girl Pants.” Check out these lines: “Now I know it’s time for something new/I got to find my next best thing that I can do/I’d rather stay in bed/Don’t want to deal with too much more/Oh, the hard, hard stuff I just want to ignore.” Sometimes we need to push ourselves, and that is what this song helps us do. The song is like mental preparation for facing whatever it is that is out there. And, as we know, there is a lot to deal with out there. This is a good song to listen to in the morning before heading out to work, or to wherever you have to go. It was written by Deb Callahan, Chris Arms and Allen James.

Deb Callahan slows things down a bit for “Rogue,” one of those blues songs about being mistreated in love, about being lied to and strung along. It features a seriously cool vocal performance. “You made me feel just like a queen/Then you took me down about as low as I’ve been/Knew just what to say, you knew just what to do/I was just a plaything ‘til you were through.” This track also features another excellent guitar lead in its second half. “Rogue” was written by Deb Callahan and Chris Arms. Then “A Few New Tricks” has a rhythm that immediately gets you swaying and moving. There is something playful about this one, particularly in her vocal delivery. Just listen to the way she delivers these lines, for example: “Well, you had a long first act/Following your own dreams/Marching to your own drumbeat/Don’t want to be on no team.” And, hey, this song shows that people can change, in this instance because of the arrival of a baby, which creates sudden obligations.

The first of the album’s two covers is Percy Mayfield’s “Danger Zone,” an excellent choice during these divisive and often frightening times. Deb Callahan delivers a seriously good rendition, with a fantastic, passionate vocal performance. “You see, the world is in an uproar/The danger zone is everywhere, everywhere/Just read your paper and you’ll see/Just exactly what keeps worrying me.” Take your pick of stories to worry about. For me, it’s the damn guns. “Every morning, oh, and every night/Finds me hoping that everything gonna be all right.” This track features some moving and wonderful blues guitar. That’s followed by “Still Fighting To Be Free,” which features a soulful vocal performance and some great stuff on harmonica. This track was written by Deb Callahan, Chris Arms and Alan Glass. Alan Glass plays acoustic guitar on it, and Chris Arms is on slide guitar. This song’s lyrics also give the album its title. Then Charlene Holloway adds some strong backing vocal work to “Don’t Tread On Me,” a song written by Deb Callahan, Chris Arms and Danny Schogger. This one has a delicious, funky rhythm, and includes the wonderful line “You’re infringing on my reality.” And check out these lines: “What does it mean to be free/is there social responsibility/We just see it differently.” Plus, this track features Ken Ulansey on saxophone.

Chris Arms delivers more good work on slide guitar on “Cleaning House,” a slower gem about looking back and deciding what is still needed, and what can be disposed of. “I’ve been cleaning house all day/Trying to throw old things away/Things that just don’t fit me anymore.” Ah, but when it comes to memories, it is difficult. And here she asks, “Why is it so hard, why is it so hard?” Deb Callahan delivers another passionate vocal performance on this track. That’s followed by “Thought You Were My Girl,” on which Deb Callahan provides her own backing vocals. “When I’m honest with myself/You never really listen/When I’m honest with myself/You always question my intention.” Both “Cleaning House” and “Thought You Were My Girl” were written by Deb Callahan. Then “Just What The Doctor Ordered” establishes a cool vibe at the start. “The world’s on fire/Can’t put out the flames/So much sadness/So many lies.” Yes, that is the state of things. We are all struggling as we deal with this harsh reality, and if we can just turn to one special person, we can make it through. And that’s what this song is about, as Deb Callahan sings, “You’re just what I need to set my soul free” and “You’re the medicine I need/You’re just what the doctor ordered/Bringing me healing and relief.” Dave Arms plays bass on this track, and Charlene Holloway provides more great backing vocal work. The album concludes with its other cover, Sean Costello’s “Anytime You Want,” Deb Callahan delivering a good version. “We can get together, baby, any time you want.”

CD Track List

1. What I’m Workin’ With
2. Crazy Ride
3. Big Girl Pants
4. Rogue
5. A Few New Tricks
6. Danger Zone
7. Still Fighting To Be Free
8. Don’t Tread On Me
9. Cleaning House
10. Thought You Were My Girl
11. Just What The Doctor Ordered
12. Anytime You Want

Backbone was released on March 15, 2023 on Blue Pearl Records.