People, Places, and Flings

About the Artist
A 22-year-old pianist and singer/songwriter who writes clever jazz-pop gems reminiscent of Ben Folds, Rufus Wainwright and Billy Joel.

Product Description
Chuck Coleman's debut album, featuring twelve self-penned songs about love, coffee, opera, culture shock, and coming-of-age. Chuck's jazz-pop piano and agile voice are backed by a full band, plus numerous guest appearances by backup singers and musicians. Influences include Ben Folds, Rufus Wainwright and Billy Joel.

Tracks:

Brian Played Guitar
March in Milan
Me and Gertrude Stein
Omar
Daisy
I Feel Ya, Harris-san
You Don't Drink Coffee
The Good Headmaster
Mr. E.M. Forster, Sir
The Aida Song
Avignon
Halley's Comet

Album Description

"People, Places, and Flings" is Chuck Coleman's debut album, featuring twelve self-penned songs about love, coffee, opera, culture shock, and coming-of-age. Chuck's piano and voice serve as a remarkable vehicle for his imaginative lyrics and gift for melody. He is backed by a full band, and the album is sonically enriched through the use of flute, saxophone and cello.

Customer Reviews:

Tobukna needs a new hobby........2005-02-07

Tobukna, I'm not sure why you have appointed yourself the ethics police of Amazon, but surely you have better things to do. Indie artists are barred from the airwaves by restrictive arrangements between record labels and Clear Channel, they don't have the financial resources to hire publicists or to advertise their music in magazines, and they don't have the influence to negotiate their way onto bigger musicians' tour bills. Is it really *that* terrible if they ask a few friends to recommend their album on Amazon? I doubt you've even listened to the albums you're crusading against.

Too much self-promotion.......2005-02-06

This CD is a merely okay cd. I don't hate it, but it does not move you. However what bothers me most about this artist is his annoying self-promotion on Amazon. I don't mind people who recommend their own music around. But this guy takes it too far. You can't hardly go anywhere without seeing he has swamped an artist with his "recommendations." I can see by his low sales he isn't fooling many people, but I feel sorry for the people he does trick.

Can't reccomend it.......2004-10-09

I bought this CD eagerly anticipating some great new music. I should have read the reviews with a more cynical eye. Perhaps some are legitimate fans, but I have my doubts. I found this CD to be droll and tedious to listen too and I can't imagine anyone finding something to rave about. Not that every song is a complete loss, but as a whole the CD is not worth owning.

Chuck Coleman=musical candy.......2004-10-05

I bought this cd on a whim browsing through Ben Folds albums on Amazon. I have to say, it is simply fantastic. In sense he can be likened to Ben Folds musically, but he is less glib and more romantic. Imagine Ben Folds style mixed with Rufus Wainwright's sensibilities. He has a very broad range of musical styles, my favorites being the piano-pop songs. Billy Joel, eat your heart out.

There are numerous highlights throughout the album. It kicks of strong with "Brian Played Guitar," which is rife with Ben Folds-ism. "March in Milan" is a lovely song that is like a poem in motion. I particularly like Coleman's literary references, be it in "Me and Gertrude Stein," "Mr. E.M. Forster Sir," or "The Aida Song." You can tell this guy went to Yale. One of my personal favorites is "Halley's Comet," a rocking little ditty that somehow seems very familiar.

I recommend Coleman to anyone who likes any of the previous mentioned artists. Really, he will appeal to anyone. This is just good music, and I hope to hear more from this guy in the future.

Impressive Debut.......2004-08-15

I'm constantly searching for piano-based pop/rock, and Chuck Coleman is one of the best new artists I've encountered. His lyrics are clever, his music is reasonably complex, I'd say he's near par with Rufus and Ben. Chuck's voice is better than Ben's, and his piano is better than Rufus'. However, he's in no danger of being mistaken for either of them.
Musically, "People, Places & Flings" is as good as any debut album. Though the piano work is generally creative, the production could use a little variation, (a fault rather typical of debut albums). The few songs where other instruments are introduced (March in Milan, You Don't Drink Coffee, etc.) are spectacular. I'd say overall the songs are great, due to the strenth of the songwriting, but I wouldn't rate them all as spectacular.
Lyrically, Chuck Coleman seems to acheive that which Ben Folds seems to aim for and [often] fails to reach; wit. "How clever of you to slow down my advances by boring me to death." Maybe the difference is that Chuck went to Yale and Ben didn't.
I highly recommend the album. The best place to buy the CD is at chuckcoleman.com; it's only $10, which includes shipping. Good listening!

Average customer rating:

Cracks A Smile
THIS IS THE GREATEST CD I HAVE EVER HEARD
Chuck, I adore thee
please sir, can I have some more stars?
A good debut

People, Places, and Flings
Chuck Coleman
Manufacturer: The Orchard
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

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Pop Rock | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0001NBMSU
Release Date: 2004-03-02

Tracks:

Brian Played Guitar
March in Milan
Me and Gertrude Stein
Omar
Daisy
I Feel Ya, Harris-san
You Don't Drink Coffee
The Good Headmaster
Mr. E.M. Forster, Sir
The Aida Song
Avignon
Halley's Comet

Album Description

Chuck Coleman's debut album, featuring twelve self-penned songs about love, coffee, opera, culture shock, and coming-of-age. Chuck's jazz-pop piano and agile voice are backed by a full band, plus numerous guest appearances by backup singers and musicians. Influences include Ben Folds, Rufus Wainwright and Billy Joel.

Customer Reviews:

Cracks A Smile.......2007-06-10

Reviews of this CD intrigued me. What a great gem that is only now clogging my changer. Chuck Coleman's songcraft is witty, melodic, often silly, and tremendously individual. He brings to mind some of Cole Porter's classic lyrics with a modern twist, the show tune quality of Rufus Wainwright's work like Poses [Bonus Track] and the inventiveness of Canadian David Usher's Strange Birds. Of my very favorites, the sad affair with "Omar" builds hilariously with Coleman's piano initiating an arrangement that becomes increasingly complex with a classic lyric, "Every day I go out of my way to intrigue you, but subtlety isn't my forte; Do I come across as rude? I'm trying so hard to pretend I don't care, but you're so adorable, I can't help but stare." Finding himself on the losing end, the singer concludes, "Trying to make conversation is a waste of time & breath, how clever of you to slow down my advances by boring me to death." "Daisy" is another brilliant track with Chuck's feisty edge displayed, "I'm an a*shole & so is he ... It's not my intention to drive you away, clearly you're there cause he wants to you stay; A bead on confusion, seasons of drought, Go find a man with his sh*t figured out." Other tracks like the melodic "The Aida Song" & "Me & Gertrude Stein" are delightful. The CD concludes with the uptempo "Halley's Comet." "People, Places & Flings" is a delightful set, music that entertains & cracks a smile on your face. Bravo!

THIS IS THE GREATEST CD I HAVE EVER HEARD.......2006-08-17

I am being completely honest with the title of this review. This is one of those CD's that you listen to once and are impressed with, listen to again and are intrigued, and by the third time you are suprised to find that there are still ingenious witty lines and background melodies that you hadn't yet noticed. I couldn't be more impressed with the songwriting Chuck Coleman. Every song has a hook to it that sticks in your brain and won't let go, but is also accompanied by very naturally flowing and poetic lyrics.

I should note that my standards for "piano rock" are pretty high. I am a huge Ben Folds fan. I am a big Jamie Cullum fan. I love this style of melody driven, smart songwriting, and Chuck Coleman nails it with every song.

This CD has been out for two years now, and there apparently is no sign of him since. I desparately hope that somewhere in Cleveland Ohio Chuck Coleman is working away on another fantastic CD.

If I had 1 CD to take with me on a desert island, this would be it. I could write volumes about this CD. Buy it right now. If you like smart music, you will not regret it.

Chuck, I adore thee.......2006-08-17

This album is really fantastic. The lyrics are incredibly smart, and often really moving. That alone would be enough to make this artist exceptional, but on top of that the music is amazing. I received this album as a gift almost two and a half years ago and I still listen to it constantly.

please sir, can I have some more stars?.......2006-02-28

What 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.

A good debut.......2005-02-09

This is a fine debut, but I'm looking forward to seeing what Chuck does in the coming years. The raw ability is definitely there, and the lyrics are very clever and original, but he still seems to be searching for his own musical voice. I hear it most strongly in songs like "I Feel Ya, Harris-san" and "Gertrude Stein", where he uses a sort of pop-classical piano style to tell stories about historial figures. Some of the other tracks remind me of Ben Folds, and some of Rufus. But I think the promise is there, and I for one am eager to see what he does next.

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Rock Music