THE DEEP END     HMG RECORDS     HMG 2009

Fourteen songs of life and love tempered by loss from the Beehive Queen of blue-eyed rock n' soul, in a style Rolling Stone's Dave Marsh calls "Contemporary Rock R&B." Co-produced by Andy York (John Mellencamp) with Rebel Montez: Cliff Goodwin (guitars); Michael Colbath (bass), and Larry Donahue (drums). Featured are duets with Dion, Ian Hunter, and Marshall Crenshaw, plus guest appearances by Levon Helm, G.E. Smith, Big Al Anderson, Eric "Roscoe" Ambel, Catherine Russell, Shawn Pelton, the Asbury Juke Horns w/ Mark Rivera, Mitch Chakour, Jeff Kazee, and Vic Steffens.

It is Ohlman's first CD of new work since 2003's Strip; her recording hiatus follows the deaths of both longtime mate and producer Doc Cavalier and Rebel Montez guitarist/founding member Eric Fletcher (a pristine radio air shot of Ohlman with Fletcher is one of the CD's bonus cuts).

THE CRITICS RAVE:

"There are so many 'wow' moments"- Dave Marsh, SIRIUS/XM Radio / Rolling Stone editor emeritus

"The record, like any good bit of love, has layers: not so much warning as honest admission - or perhaps understanding - of love's varied means and ends. In fact, the blues isn't always about being sad, but simply allowing room for the myriad reaches and complexities of emotion." –Kim Ruehl, NoDepression.com

"Whatever she touches becomes soulful and passionate. Ohlman always sounds like her born-to-be-bad self, belting out songs like the spitfire she is. It's that swagger combined with tenderness that makes her so compelling...the perfect balance of raw soul and gutsy rock. Perhaps the most powerful and potent moment is the title track, a gospel-infused swamp ballad that seems autobiographical, especially when she sings that she's 'hard to handle, the excitable kind/take off runnin' when I could've walked.' Ohlman never flinches from the hard stuff and throughout The Deep End, she dives in like the classic soul kings and queens she idolizes." –Hal Horowitz, The All Music Guide

"There's a wondrous familiarity and traditionalism in Christine Ohlman's old-school, rough-hewn, Southern-soul roots rock..(she) is loyal and true to her roots while setting herself audacious new challenges: deeply impressive." – Chris Arnott, New Haven Advocate

On her latest record, seasoned R&B chanteuse Christine Ohlman writes and sings about human interactions, from irresistible sex to true love and, ultimately, unbelievable loss. There’s never a doubt that Ohlman is singing from an experienced heart." –Kay Cordtz/Elmore Magazine

"The Beehive Queen has never sounded better" - Andrew Loog Oldham, Producer, The Rolling Stones / SIRIUS/XM Radio Personality