Chuck Coleman
People, Places, and Flings
© 2003 Chuck Coleman (880336000314)
CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.
A 24-year-old singer/songwriter/pianist who writes clever jazz-pop gems reminiscent of Ben Folds, Rufus Wainwright and Billy Joel.
tracks
- 1 Brian Played Guitar
- 2 March in Milan
- 3 Me and Gertrude Stein
- 4 Omar
- 5 Daisy
- 6 I Feel Ya, Harris-san
- 7 You Don't Drink Coffee
- 8 The Good Headmaster
- 9 Mr. E.M. Forster, Sir
- 10 The Aida Song
- 11 Avignon
- 12 Halley's Comet
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Chuck started taking piano lessons when he was four, and wrote his first song shortly thereafter. His music career, however, began much later, when he attended Yale University and took to performing his songs publicly. His unique songwriting, piano stylings, and expressive vocals found a receptive audience among students and locals alike, and he quickly became a regular on the Connecticut coffeeshop and music festival circuit. In 2003, Chuck recruited a full-time band, and recorded his debut album, the self-produced "People, Places, and Flings", over a period of six months at studios in both Connecticut and New York. With an impressive array of backup musicians and vocalists, "People, Places, and Flings" showcases Chuck's engaging voice and playing style, as well as his striking talent for melody and lyric-writing. His music is sometimes compared to Ben Folds, Rufus Wainwright, and Billy Joel, but has a sound and insight all its own.
reviews
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A must have...
author: Chris from New JerseyEspecially for fans of Craig Carnelia. I found this album to have the same wonderful melancholy quality that Carnelia has. Glad I found it.
Please sir, can I have some more stars?
author: em_pressWhat an breathtaking cd. Brilliant, witty lyrics (how many artists can incorporate references to E.M. Forster novels and Gertrude Stein?); rich, affecting melodies; and truly incredible piano playing. I don't think I've ever been so impressed by a cd on first listen. I'm so glad to have come across Chuck Coleman's music; he may not be well known now, but if there's any justice in the musical world, he'll be huge before long. I'll be buying a few more copies of this to pass on to friends, without a doubt. It's INCREDIBLE -- I'd give it 10 stars if I could.
New Artist To Me, but Fantastic CD!
author: Kyle from British ColumbiaI had never heard of Chuck until I decided to order his CD after hearing the song samples from this site. He does a fine job and deserves to be recommended to everyone.
The world needs to know about Chuck Coleman!
author: OliviaI can't even begin to describe how much I love this CD. Everything about it is wonderful: Chuck's gorgeous voice, amazing piano playing, clever, honest, and intelligent lyrics... He's so different from other artists his age. His music is fresh and fun and can be listened to anytime, whether you're in a great mood or trying to get out of a slump. Everyone should be able to find something to love about this CD. Chuck is a step above.
Music and Literature Mix at Last (Review Excerpt)
author: Jonathan Sanders (Ball State Daily News)The title truly is apt for an album that is a series of character sketches, imaginations of what might have been, even conversations with great literary figures, ranging widely from Gertrude Stein and Townsend Harris to E.M. Forster. What Coleman shows us is that he has the lyrical qualities that made Ben Folds a successful solo artist, and the piano technique to rival Rufus Wainwright. The theme of isolation comes up repeatedly on the album, that and not conforming to societal demands. But there's a sadder isolation that comes earlier on the album, as Coleman writes about his own homosexuality, and the inner conflict he has to deal with because of it. On "March in Milan", his turmoil really got to me. "I know the church is gonna hate me, which just makes me want to cry," he sings, debating having a one night stand. "I don't want to spend my whole life writing songs about 'almost flings', but I chickened out and left for home at dawn." The rest of this album has that same effect on me. I listen to it not as individual songs but more as a whole story. "People, Places and Flings" is quite a literary effort when you get down to the bare bones of things. If you have any interest in intelligent alternative pop music, with songs steeped in strong character development, you're going to love "People, Places and Flings".
personal and amazing songs
author: MichaelIf everyone in the music world wrote music this smart and this witty, then maybe I'd listen to the radio (and I wouldn't have to read a textbook to learn something about Gertrude Stein). Chuck Coleman's songs give you the sense that you're simultaneously having a great, swingin' time AND nosing through someone's personal diary. How can you beat that? I'm hooked.
The best songwriting I've heard in a very long time
author: Steve RobertsonThis CD is evidence that great songs are still being written, even though they may not receive the airplay or exposure they deserve. Every song on this CD is fresh and inventive, and for me, it is a very welcome change from the style-over-substance garbage on the radio these days. Coleman displays a lot of skill at conveying complex ideas through songs, and still they never lose their element of fun. And what a voice! Highly, highly recommended.
Good music with some great lyrics!
author: RajeevI randomly uncovered this gem of an album and couldn't have been more pleased with my find. Chuck's music and melodies beg for you to listen to them again and again. You'll find yourself humming the tune to DAISY while looking at your watch and waiting for your lecture or seminar to end. Other 'singer/songwriters' could learn a thing or two by listening to this man who says what he means and finds no need to hide behind poorly constructed metaphors that make sense only to himself. A great album!
A Simply Fantastic Album
author: Emma WayneMy good friend Karen played many of the songs on this album for me, and never before had I felt so moved and inspired by an artist than when listening to this album. "Omar" and "The Aida Song" are fantastic and "Brian Played Guitar" has got to be one of the catchiest songs I've heard in ages. I can't wait to order my own copy and listen to the rest of this gifted songwriter's amazing music.
Smart, sensitive, soulful--and just plain FUN to listen to
author: Dave LatThis is a fantastic album. As a singer, Coleman has an amazing voice, marked by tremendous clarity, vulnerability, and intelligence. As a songwriter, Coleman has a gift for writing smart, witty lyrics and delightful, catchy choruses. I started to write down my favorite tracks, but I found myself writing down everything, so I had to raise the bar and restrict myself to my "favorite favorite" tracks: Brian Played Guitar, Me and Gertrude Stein, Daisy, Omar, and I Feel Ya, Harris-san. I recommend this CD most enthusiastically!