Coles Whalen
Country of origin:
U.S.
Type of music generally:
Contemporary folk with jazz leanings
Status:
Most recent release, Live at the Walnut Room (live, 2014); most recent studio release, Come Back, Come Back (2013)
See also:
Coles Whalen's site
Comparisons:
Jewel, Bonnie Raitt
Covers/own material:
Own and co-written
General comments:
Coles Whalen is a young lady with a powerhouse voice and some strong songs. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)
Recommended first album:
Either
Recordings:
- ep (2004)
- Gee Baby (2005)
- Songs for Sensational Kids Vol. 1: The Wiggly Scarecrow (children's, 2005)
- Nothing Is Too Much (2007)
- The Whistle Stop Road Record (2009)
- I Wrote This For You (2012)
- Songs for Sensational Kids, Vol. 2: I'm Ok, Ole! (children's, 2012)
- Come Back, Come Back (2013)
- Live at the Walnut Room (live, 2014)
ep
Release info:
2004—self-released
Availability:
See website for availability
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Coles Whalen—vocals
Produced by:
Loren Ellis, Seth Stuart
Comments:
Wow. Sometimes you hear a new artist and they blow you away. Coles Whalen is one of those. From the mournful but defiant "Why I cry" too the jazzy Beatles-isms of "Picking up the pieces" she shows such strength and confidence in her music. Her voice can be powerful like Jewel's in the early days. The jazzy "Hollow Railroad" shows her to be the equal of any young jazz diva you could mention. Very strong stuff. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)
Gee Baby
Release info:
2005—self-released
Availability:
See website for availability
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Group members:
Coles Whalen—guitar, piano, vocals
Guest artists:
Loren Ellis—guitars
Produced by:
Loren Ellis
Comments:
Coles Whalen's full-length debut is as strong as her debut was. "Turn Away" has intricate guitar work and a hushed vocal. "Twice Weapinâ Heart" is a classic-sounding folk ballad. "The Hand that Gives the Rose" is a sensitive yet powerful song. The bluesy strains of "Sevens" are pleasing as well. It was on the ep as well. I doubt modern folk gets better than this. Coles Whalen has definitely got what it takes. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)
Thanks to Anna Maria Stjärnell for work on this entry.
