Deirdre Gaddis | Life in The Key of Dei | TheUrbanMusicScene.com

Album Review: Deirdre Gaddis – Life in The Key of Dei

By Peggy Oliver

It
has been proven through the dawn of time that music in any shape and
form can be that great yet reasonable escape; whether for the listener
or the songwriter. Deirdre Gaddis knows how to share her dark and
victorious times through the gift of songwriting and she is not afraid
to use it. The Birmingham, Alabama born vocalist began her expressing
herself in song at age eight. And her life has been quite a roller
coaster ride. But Gaddis is fully able to mold those experiences into a
soulful, spiritual quest that empowers and encourages. Her debut from
the very busy folks at 111 East Records, Life in The Key of Dei,
is a no-nonsense handbook on love lost, stalled and found. The team of
Brian ‘B-Flat Trax’ Cook and Will aka Slick and Dboi from soforrealproductions.com creates picturesque silky jazz/R&B grooves to match Gaddis’ gospel-like and soulful intensity.

“For Me” opens Life in the Key of Dei
slithers in a slow guitar-stroked stew and is dedicated to those who
want to take time to rekindle those love vibes. Gaddis’ emotions range
from calm pensiveness to exhilarating passion in the tale of conflicting
feelings entitled, “We Just Can’t Say Goodbye.” The first single, “This
Funky Ride of Life,” drops a needed dose of jazz funk and spiritual
hope: “I know that up above there is a friend to send His light to take
away the darkness of my disappointment.” “That I Am” finds Gaddis in a
slightly poetic frame of mind as she squeezes every possible descript of
demonstrating unconditional love: “your silly clown…your biggest
fan…your biggest cheerleader.” The pure excitement of committing to that
one special friend comes alive on the mid-tempo smooth jam, “Joy.”
Heading in another frame of mind, “Woman” empowers those to stand firm
and stay strong, no matter what circumstances they face. This track is
the lone opportunity on Life in the Key of Dei
to let loose on the dance floor. The closing piece, “Temptation,”
states the obvious about the tensions of stepping over the line for the
wrong reasons as Gaddis’ vulnerability leaks out: “Never thought I find
myself in this position.”

The essence of Life in the Key of Dei
comes through Gaddis’ earnest observation of everyday situations and
relationships, backed by her elastic voice that ranges from coy to
explosive. Even though the aforementioned are the cuts that might be the
most attractive to adult contemporary radio stations, do not overlook
the full body of work on Life in the Key of Dei in heading to the ‘great escape.’

Peggy Oliver

The Urban Music Scene