Deborah Gibson is a talented, energenic singer/songwriter/producer
who has been a very motivating influence in my life. She maintains a
very positive, upbeat style while detailing very real aspects of life
in her music.
If all you know is the bubble-gum-pop-princess image from the
late 80's, then you are missing some of her very best work. In addition
to her writing/producing for other artists, she has been very busy
with stage work over the last few years. Appearing as Eponine on
Broadway in 'Les Miserables', originating the role of Sandy in the London
production of 'Grease' and playing 'Grease' bad-girl Rizzo in the US
touring company of 'Grease', followed by her role as Fanny Brice in the
recent 'Funny Girl' revival didn't take enough of her time to prevent her
from releasing albums on a regular basis. Her sixth album (not counting a
greatest hits release from Atlantic Records) was released in December 1996.
"Deborah" is her first release on the Gibson Productions Espiritu Records
label. This was shortly followed with her taking over the role of Belle
on Broadway in 'Beauty and the Beast' in September of 1997.
Deborah undertook a several week promotional tour for her 5th album
("Think With Your Heart") in the summer of 1995. I went to one of her
appearances in Bryn Mawr, PA on July 8th. It was an incredible experience.
Summary of Bryn Mawr promotional stop
Also, here are some
Pictures from the Bryn Mawr show. If that takes
too long, here is a ~60k index of the Bryn Mawr
pictures.
I've been lucky enough to meet Deborah in person a few times... most
recently at the Mar 14, 1998 showing of Beauty and the Beast on
Broadway. Other times include the Bryn Mawr show above, as well as
a 'Grease' showing in the fall of 1995 and the DGIF convention held
in the summer of 1996.
In Defense of Deborah:
Deborah is still ridiculed for her early image by many ignorant
people. Here are some letters I wrote to
PC Magazine
and to
NetGuide
after they displayed a lack of judgemnet in what they had to say about
Deborah.
After the debate about how much influence Atlantic had in the
final sound of Debs 3rd and 4th albums I wrote this, defending the
albums as ligitamate work, even though the albums were not the kind
of sound Deb would have produced for herself...
My take on the production of AIP/BMS
Here is an
interview with Deborah during her time in 'Grease'.
See my autographed CD booklet from Bryn Mawr
Here are some links to some Deborah Gibson pages:
NRG^ Page (really good)
Deborah Gibson WWW Site (a CD-rom of good stuff)
Official Deborah Gibson WWW Site