STYLE: Roots/Acoustic RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 49346-14628 LABEL: Independent FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1
Reviewed by Anthony Longville
Dean Phelps is a guitar picking reverend from Indianapolis, peddling a "family friendly repertoire". This is his third release and is a mix of folky standards ("Feeling Groovy", "Ain't Misbehavin'") with more recent compositions and reworkings of hymns. The whole thing is carried off in a gentle, easy manner which not surprisingly has won admirers. Winner of the prize in the category "Most eyebrow raising song title" must go to "My Dog Jesus", which is not quite as weird as it might sound, but is certainly unusual! - A story of a dog called Jesus who lays down his life for his friends - not the sort of thing likely to be the theologian's favourite. The finger picking style works well on the old classic "Precious Memories", but doesn't really carry it off on the overblown "Marching To Zion". Overall a pleasing, relaxing listen from a "regular guy.with a friendly way of putting a song across".
The opinions expressed in this article are
not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed
views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may
not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a
later date.
Interested in reviewing music? Find out
more here.