Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10
There are some people on this planet to whom the gift of a smile in their direction is not enough to display the gratitude we owe them for making us happy, for giving us a gift of happiness that can never be fully repaid; some artists, family and friends deserve the longest of hugs and the full appreciation of a room of warm and loving applause, some will never perhaps know just how the simple act of a single song written means the world to thousands.
As music celebrations go, the 40th Anniversary of Dean Friedman’s seminal album, “Well, Well” Said The Rocking Chair, might bypass the general conscious of the British public’s conscious, yet without it, the way we look at music might be different, the danger of not respecting an album of such playful intent, of the light hearted and semi mischievous drive, these are the songs in which the passion of New York nights were made, the popular hit that harboured safely the good humour and the soul of the man in search of love songs against the often incessant Disco smash; without Dean Friedman, The Wirral’s Half Man Half Biscuit would have had to have another father figure in which to claim.
The start of summer was in evidence as Dean Friedman came to Liverpool’s Capstone Theatre, a blossoming of colour, the loosening of the stiff constraints of a foul winter, the sun beating down and with a harmony in the air, summer also bringing with it the chance to revel in some New Jersey born and New York refined humour and tales, of hearing songs such as It’s My Job, A Million Matzoh Balls, the fantastic Death To The Neighbours, McDonald’s Girl and of course the whole of the “Well, Well” Said The Rocking Chair and one that had the pleasing contribution of several members of the audience going down upon the stage with the artist and capturing the beauty of Lucky Stars and the humour and pathos of The Deli Song (Corned Beef on Wry).
Dean Friedman is endowed with East Coast charm and a smile that just keeps giving, a sense of selflessness in which to see an audience, no matter how grand in scale or close in comfort, enjoy the songs he has written, it is little wonder that the musician and songwriter is so warmly applauded, gratefully received, the city of Liverpool always holds in great esteem to those who make their city sing.
A great night out in the company of one of the true greats of American music, one to whom is owed a great deal!
Ian D. Hall