| 22 August 2009
The Lot
12-23 August (ex. 17, 18) 21.00
The sweetly soulful Dean Friedman is old-school; a country-and-western singer complete with piano, guitar, love melodies and naff album covers.
It would be easy to criticise lyrics as cheesy as “It’s my job to love you, and I love my job,” but Friedman’s musicianship is astonishing; he draws astoundingly beautiful tones from his guitar, and rousing honky-tonk rhythms from his piano keys.
The singer’s readiness to indulge in sentiment is too easy to target; in contrast to British cynicism, it can be refreshing. “Lucky Guy” is moving and sweetly optimistic, and most of the time Friedman attempts to temper any saccharine elements with a healthy dose of irritation-venting, as in one song along the lines of “I hate the neighbours,” and when jokingly comparing himself to the Sex Pistols. There’s no fooling us though - this is a happy, well-adjusted guy.
Friedman’s vocals can’t quite compete with his musicianship. However, he does cast a cosy spell, thoroughly appropriate for the snug and inviting venue. I have no doubt that those with a penchant for the country genre will love this set; although the children’s lullaby given as an encore is lacklustre and out-of-place.
Beautifully mellow, but leave your cynical side at home.
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