Customer Reviews

Colored Lights: The Broadway Album

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

The intent of this broadway album was not to sing and arrange these broadway tunes as they were on the original broadway cast recording. If that's what your looking for, then this is not the broadway album for you. Just as Deborah's broadway voice comes out on some of her pop albums, her pop voice makes some appearances on this album. Listen to samples that may eventually be on this site or that are on other sites, such as www.fynsworthalley.com or deborah-gibson.com and listen for yourself to decide if this is an album you would enjoy. The samples are fair representations of the whole album, as for the most part the style remains consistant.

My take on the album:
"Colored "Ligthts", is an excellent album. Some people think that she strayed too much from the original sounds of these songs. I disagree. I feel there is just the right combination of the traditional sound and freshness. After all, what's the point in buying an album of remakes that sound so much like the original. Gibson's vocals really shine on this album, and if ever there was a doubt she could sing, this is the proof of her vocal talent. The orchestration is also very well done.

My favorites: "Let Me Entertain You", "On My Own" (my favorite B-way song from my fav. show, Les Miz), "Who Are You Now", "They All Laughed", and "Maybe This Time".

I did find one flaw in this album though. The song "Sex" (written by Deborah for her muscial in the works, "Skirts") has so much pop influence that it clashes with the rest of the album and Deborah's voice seems to have outgrown this style of song.

The bottom line: it is well worth at least listening to the samples of "Colored Lights" on the internet. Some of you may love it, others will not. Whether you appreciate Deborah's take on these tunes or not, it is quality work.

All I can say is "WOW". When I popped in this cd and heard Debs voice very faintly counting softly on "Let Me Entertain You" a smile immediately pounced across my face. I knew this was going to be one kick ass album from Deborah. I believe it may be her best to date! For any of you hesitant on buying this, please don't listen to the negative reviews! Deborah is in top form here. She more than dazzles us with her beautiful ever-growing range vocals. I am so proud of her, and proud and honored to be a fan of hers. Deb! You never cease to amaze me! You always come through with something bigger n' better! Go out and by this album today and see how the little "Out Of The Blue" pop princess has turned into the diva she is today! *****COLORED LIGHTS IS THE WAY 2 GO!!!*****

I've been a fan of her since God only knows. I know she's not just talented but she is very passionate of (her) music. Knowing that she moved herself into broadways, it's rather of a challenge for me to listen to the songs especially when I'm too familiar with her pop genre. But after a while, I'm used to it coz Debbie is still Debbie to me. She's not afraid of re-arranging the original song to her style, at least she knows what she's doing and again she's proven it. My most favourite track is "Colored Lights", it's light, cheerful, somewhat witty and, in a way, brings up my imagination of seeing her (and the casts) on stage performing the song. All in all, Debbie still has a class and style for us to share.

Deborah Gibson takes an unexpected turn after releasing "M.Y.O.B" in 2001. Indeed, her life-long work and dedication to her craft shows here. Finally, it all pays off here "to call the shots...to roll the dice...and to raise the roof". Where "M.Y.O.B." was aimed at returning Gibson to mainstream and commerical pop/dance success, Gibson's "Colored Lights" is a landmark album that firmly roots Gibson's career as a vocalist. There was no fancy production and studio tricks. Just Deborah simply singing. In all the songs, Gibson expresses herself with much more conviction and abandon than in the past. The best tunes on this CD might be "Raise the Roof!", "I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love", "Anytime", "On My Own", and "Blame It On the Summer Night". On "Raise the Roof", Gibson truly lets loose and her personality and true grit or soul shines; this song is just begging for some pop and dance remixes to have it ready for airplay. "Let Me Entertain You" and "Blame It On the Summer Night" showcase a sensual assurance rarely heard in her past works. "I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love" is a georgeous melody, and a radio-friendly ballad. "On My Own" is an old friend to Gibson, and the arrangement and interpretation is taken to a new level with darker and more dramatic (almost forboding) effects. "Colored Lights" is a fun and whimsical tune but with blends of longing and sadness that allows Gibson to show her dramatic range. "I'm The Greatest Start" is another song that showcases Gibson's dramatic abilities. "They All Laughed" is a fitting song for Gibson and she sang it flawlessly, and the theme is reminiscent of her previous "Dontcha Want Me Now". "Sex" (a Gibson original) is a sneak peak at the musical she's been writing for many years; the bridge is awesome and electric. "Maybe This Time" and "Anytime" are both powerhouse songs for Gibson. The only 2 songs I wasn't as enthusiastic on were "Who Are You Now?" and "I Enjoy Being a Girl". I think it was the delivery on those songs that made me feel that way. However, they were still good songs. Much like her 1997 release of "Deborah", "Colored Lights" is a very consistent CD where Gibson forges ahead and pushes forward musically. It is exciting to see Deborah continually growing. From her history, all indications tell us that her best is yet to come.

I have been looking forward to this album, and must admit when I first saw the song list was a little disappointed, only because I didn't recognize many of the songs. But now, having listened to the album in it's entirety five times, I love it! I'm actually glad she chose some more obscure songs to showcase, so as to not only bring recognition to her own talent, but recognition to some lesser known shows and songs.

I have read some of the other reviews that say she sounds like she's auditioning the songs and I wholeheartedly disagree. She puts some great spin on to some of the songs. Many of the arrangements are unique, and allow her a lot of creativity in song interpretation.

My favorite songs on the album after the first few listens are, "Anytime (I Am There)", "Maybe This Time" (which she has performed on Broadway in Caberet), "I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love" and "Who Are you Now". (OK, so I lean towards the ballads, but I always have in with her in the 15 years I've been a fan.)

I hope that she takes this album onthe road and does some caberet style shows, she's due for a tour.

Way to go Deborah!

This is an amazing album. The vocals are in fine form and the arrangements and the production of the songs keep these broadway tunes true enough to their orignal form, yet offers some freshness. Often when songs are re-made, the songs are slaughtered in an attempt to make an old song new. This doesn't happen here. No this album maybe not spawn a hit pop-dance single, but I'd rather hear and spend my money on quality music then listening to a desperate attempt at a pop come back. "Colored Lights" puts Deborah right up there with the best vocalists of modern music history. The only thing which I don't care for about this album is that the song "Sex" doesn't quite go with the flow of the rest of the songs, however the other 12 beautifully done tracks more than make up for this.
A great album for broadway lovers, fans of the vocal genre, and for people just looking to expand their musical horizons. Simply put, "Colored Lights" is a quality album.

Congrats to Deborah and to the musicians who contributed to this well-done album.

I remember Debbie Gibson from the late eighties and "Out of the Blue" was my favorite album to listen to. I lost touch with her music over the years until recently stumbling upon her official website Deborah-Gibson.com to find that she has had numerous albums out over the years and a new Broadway CD. After ordering her latest cd "Colored Lights", I have to say that I am in awe! I thought to myself "Is this the same Debbie Gibson I listened to in the late eighties?". Her voice is incredible and the selection of songs she has chosen for this CD are fantastic. WOW! is all I can say. This CD is definitely my favorite CD to date. What a voice, like an angel. A++++ I recommend this CD to everyone.

After listening through this album several times through, all that I can say is WOW!!! This is by far Deborah's strongest CD vocally to date. Her voice, like a fine wine, continues to get better and better over time. Deborah's years on stage have payed off and left her with an exquisitely warm, sensitive, sensual, powerful voice with a great deal of versatility and it is showcased marvelously on this CD. Track by track:"Let Me Entertain You"-- Deborah starts this number from "Gypsy" with a great deal of subtle control and then abandons her inhabitions as the song goes on and leads us through a fabulous crescendo leading up to a climactic ending. Very sexy and well done!"Blame It On A Summer Night"-- This song contrasts fabulously with the opening number. It is a very smooth, sensual track that showcases the lower register of Deborah's voice beautifully. It shows off the refinement that her voice has developed in recent years. A very different type of song for Deborah, but she pulls it off perfectly."Raise The Roof"-- I had never heard this song before buying this CD, but I am impressed. It is a very suggestive, sensual, upbeat track with a Latin flavor to it. I can imagine this song being re-mixed as a dance song. "I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love"-- This song has a simple, gorgeous, melody, and with the recent release of "The Boy From Oz" cast recording, the timing was perfect to record it. It is a great fit for Deborah's voice. Her delivery is both powerful and tender at the same time, leaving you tempted to hit the repeat button. "On My Own"-- One of my favorite tracks on this CD. The introduction to this song has some interesting, darker sounding orchestration that is really growing on me the more I listen to it. Deborah's vocals are perfect and leave me wishing that she would re-visit the stage as Eponine in Les Miserables someday since her voice has gotten so much better since she first performed the role back in the 90s. An amazing rendition of one of my favorite songs of all time."Colored Lights"-- I have to admit that I didn't care for this song the first time that I heard it, but after listening to it, it has really grown on me and now I can't imagine this album without it. Deborah's vocals once again are right on, and she leaves you wanting more."I'm The Greatest Star"-- Showcases the raw power of Deborah's voice rather than its more subtle elements. Nicely done! I hopes Deborah gets the chance to play Fanny Brice again in the future."Who Are You Now?"-- I never liked this song when other people performed it, but Deborah really sold me on it and made it her own. "They All Laughed"-- Another track where the vocals really cut loose and abandon all restraint. I'd love to hear this one live."Sex"-- This is the one really weak point in an otherwise incredible album. The lyrics are cheezy and melody's mood and arrangement doesn't really suit the theme of the song. In and of itself the melody is really nice, but it just doesn't "sell" the message of this song. But, the rest of the album is so amazing that its easy to forgive one mistake."Maybe This Time"-- I love the arrangement of this song. Its different from the original Broadway cast version that I'm used to, but if anything, I prefer this version. Deborah's vocals are flawless and sung with a great deal of conviction."I Enjoy Being A Girl"-- When I saw that this song was included on this CD, I cringed, because I have always hated it in the past, but the arrangement on this disc is really a complete re-working, giving the track a very smooth, subtle, understated salsa flavor that works very well. By far the most intimate, seductive arrangement of this song ever recorded. I love the sax solo. This was probably the most totally unexpected surprise on the CD."Anytime I'm There"-- This song, borrowed from "Elegies: A Song Cycle" features a mother singing to her child about being with them after her impending death. I admit I did get a little bit choked up and teary eyed when I listened to this one. The simplicity of the arrangement puts the focus on Deborah's voice and the message of the song, where it should be. An amazing way to end an amazing CD. I hope Deborah continues to record both pop and Broadway material. She never disappoints, and puts out quality album after quality album, though she unfortunately remains largely overlooked by the mainstream. As far as I'm concerned, she ranks up there amoung the greats. Hopefully someday she will recognized by a larger percentage of the public as the great talent that she really is....she really has done nothing but improve since her "Debbie Gibson" days. Do not miss out on this CD!

"Debbie" has left the building and Deborah has arrived. This is by far Deborah's best CD. If you have seen Deborah on the stage then you will not be disappointed in this project. Deborah took the songs AND MADE THEM HER OWN. If you are looking for a "traditional" Broadway then don't waste your time. Her voice shines and I am a proud of Deborah for being able to do what she wants. Deborah will never be the popular 16-year-old doing cheesy pop so get over it and enjoy what Deborah is really about.

I am addicted to this album. Although I tend to prefer ballads (and "I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love," "Blame it On The Night" and "On My Own" are lovely), I cannot stop listening to the upbeat anthem "Raise the Roof." It's been on repeat in my CD player for days now. Deborah shows vocal maturity and assurance on the track, not to mention a lot of fun. It's fantastic. The only disappointment on the album is "Sex," from the musical she's writing. Out of context, it does not work, and gives people a bad first impression of the musical. I've heard her perform other songs from the musical, and they're wonderful, so I don't know why she chose this one. But despite that song, the strengths are too good not to give this album 5 stars.