As Dean Friedman embarks on the second leg of his 2011 UK and Ireland tour, his fans are in for a treat. Mixed into the sets among old favorites like "Ariel", "Lydia" and "Lucky Stars" are a great selection of songs from his latest CD.
Tracks on a Dean Friedman album cover a range of musical genres, from pop and jazz to blues, folk and country, blended into his unique style of Pop Fusion. His songs can be humorous and quirky, romantic or sentimental. But they almost always tell a story.
The title track of Submarine Races – a euphemism from Friedman's teenage years that referred to making out in parked cars along the Hudson River and New Jersey shore – is a typical Friedman song about young love. Its mellow, easy groove and lovely harmonies set the stage for the musical feast to come.
Friedman's Top Songs on Submarine Races
I recently attended Friedman's Summer Songwriting Course in the south of France, where I asked him about Submarine Races.
"I'm really proud of it," he told me. "Four of my favorite songs of all my compositions are on this album. A song is something that means something to somebody.
"Like all my albums, it's eclectic in terms of styles and idioms," he said. "I'm usually telling a story. People seem to like it," he said with a modest smile.
"I'm a Lucky Guy", the album's second track, is one of Friedman's top picks. "I think a lot of people really relate to this song," he said. "It gives them a chance to remember their own good fortune in spite of the calamity all around them."
Another is "Under the Weather", a simple song that says so much about the comfort of friendship. "People say that it helps them think of how to console someone who is going through a rough time," Friedman said.
Friedman described "Let the Boys Come Home" as a nonpartisan peace song. "I try to acknowledge the reality of the job that soldiers have to do but still hope they can come home," he said. "It's not a typical peacenik song."
"Essie May" is a "traditional folk song that tells a story well," he said. Based on a true story, the catchy tune reveals a dark secret.
Best of the Rest on Submarine Races
"'A Baker's Tale' just cracks me up," Friedman admits. It was written as a riposte to Nigel Blackwell of British indie band Half Man Half Biscuit, for his song called "The Bastard Son of Dean Friedman". The witty lyrics, sung over traditional fiddle music, tell an amusing tale of Blackwell's alleged parentage.
Friedman writes beautiful, often complex melodies that are enhanced by a variety of instruments. As well as vocals, he plays keyboards, guitars, ukulele, mandolin and harmonica on this album, while backing musicians play everything from a washboard and jug to an English horn.
But for many fans, Friedman's greatest gifts lie in his lyrics. In song after song, he writes verses that are as clever as they are lyrical. A perfect example is "You're a Criminal Darling (You Stole My Heart)", my favorite song on the album, a beautiful and classic Friedman love song written for his wife Alison.
The remaining songs on Submarine Races range from the country harmonies of "Crazy as a Loon" and "Oddballs and Misfits", to the jazz fusion tracks of "You're Invisible", "Smartest Man in the Whole Wide World", and the amusing "Luddite's Lament", which captures our love-hate affair with technology.
Rounding out the album's 13 tracks is the "Calamity Waltz", Friedman's musical parody of the economic recession. The stately, mournful melody carried by cello and bassoon brings to mind the film Titanic, and the last dance on the sinking ship.
All in all, the variety of musical genres and the witty, thought-provoking lyrics combine to make a unique and musically delightful album.
"It's always hard for record companies to pigeonhole what I do," Friedman said, "but I just keep doing it."
Where to Buy Submarine Races and See Dean Friedman on Tour
Following his annual gigs at Edinburgh's Festival Fringe, Dean Friedman will be appearing in Ireland and around the UK from September 28 to October 25, 2011. For a list of locations and to order tickets, visit the Gigs page on Dean Friedman's website.
Submarine Races and other Dean Friedman albums can be ordered online through Dean Friedman's website; CDs and album downloads are available.
Donna Dailey - Donna Dailey is an award-winning travel writer & photographer. Her work appears in newspapers, magazines, websites and guidebooks ...
