Philly's own blues and soul drenched singer and songwriter Deb Callahan recently celebrated the release of her 6th studio album "Backbone". The album has been receiving rave reviews and has been at the top of the Blues Roots Music Report for the past few months peaking at #2 in May and staying at #1 for the PA roots music report for the past few months. Callahan, often compared to Bonnie Raitt, Susan Tedeschi and Aretha Franklin, has developed her own distinctive voice and honed her songwriting craft while performing and touring for many years. "Backbone" consists of 12 songs including 10 original new tunes. The new album was produced by Philadelphia producer, songwriter, and guitarist Chris Arms and recorded live at Morningstar Studios with overdubs and mixing at Studio 501. Deb recorded this album with her road tested, all-star band of Allen James on guitar, Garry Lee on bass and Tom Walling on drums. The CD features London producer and songwriter Danny Schogger on keyboards and Arms on slide guitar. There are guest appearances by Great Britain’s Alan Glass on acoustic guitar, and Philly musicians; Jay Davidson on sax, Steve Jankowski on horn/trombone, John Colgan Davis on harmonica and Charlene Holloway on backing vocals.

Deb’s previous CD, “Sweet Soul” was released in 2015 and produced by Los Angeles based producer-drummer Tony Braunagel. This well received CD was written in the years after Deb became a new parent with a focus on love, connection and family. “Backbone” has a blues and funk base and embraces a range of rock, soul, roots and swing styles. The songwriting reflects the intense impact of world events over the past few years exploring themes of uncertainty, vulnerability, being comfortable with and showing up for oneself, taking a stand, polarization in beliefs, freedom and letting go. Deb worked with Arms, Schogger and James to write much of the original material and chose two covers that fit in well with the material including Percy Mayfield’s “Danger Zone” and Sean Costello’s “Anytime You Want”. Deb and her core band’s sixteen years plus of performing and touring together shines through on this CD, creating a unique chemistry and an ability to play with natural, nuanced improvisation.

Deb and her band have been performing, touring, recording and entertaining music fans both regionally and around the United States since the late 1990s. Deb has released 5 prior CDs since 2002 and a limited edition World Café Live DVD. She has graced the stages of many festivals nationwide from The Monterey Bay Blues Festival in Monterey, CA, The Springing the Blues Fest in Jacksonville, FL, The Bayfront Blues Fest in Duluth, MN to WXPN’s XPonential Music Festival right here in Philly. Her 5th CD "Sweet Soul" was recorded and produced by producer/drummer Tony Braunagel (Etta James, Bonnie Raitt, Robert Cray) in Los Angeles, CA and received some great national and international airplay on blues and triple A radio stations and good press and reviews. "Sweet Soul" made the top 50 contemporary blues albums for 2016 for the US Blues Music Report. www.debcallahanband.com

"Backbone is another winner from Deb Callahan, who remains one of the most compelling vocalists in the blues and soul genres, a voice to be reckoned with in the coming years."

--- Graham Clarke - Blues Bytes

"The variety of musical material on Backbone snakes stealthily from soul to funk to blues rock with one constant: the exceptional vocals of Deb Callahan". "The lady combines the attributes of skilled songwriting, a deep appreciation of American roots music, along with her powerfully affecting vocals"

Randall Parrish, Vivascene

Anyone who thinks contemporary blues is not evolving enough lyrically or stylistically need only have a listen to Callahan’s pioneering originals here to have their faith restored. Blues Music Magazine

“Sweet Soul” is a marvelous recording with some excellent material (both new and covers of lesser known numbers), terrific production and playing, and Deb Callahan’s superb singing. Let folks compare her to Bonnie and Tracy. After listening to her, folks will be comparing other singers to her. Ron Weinstock/Jazz/Blues

"Sweet Soul reveals the Philadelphia singer-songwriter to be in full possession of her abilities, confident, relaxed, yet pulsing with verve. Living Blues Magazine