Album Notes

A voice from the past motivated Dean to record Give Us a Song. He received an email from a college friend asking if he was the same Dean Phelps that used to play guitar in the courtyard at the University of Kentucky.

He was, and it turned out he had recorded a cassette for the woman and her roommate when they were students together in the 1970s. Hearing that cassette brought back a flood of memories. It also inspired Dean to return to the studio two years after recording his second CD, This Old House.

Give Us a Song returns to Dean's acoustic singer-songwriter roots with covers of songs by Paul Simon, Jonathan Edwards, Kate Wolf and Bob Dylan. One highlight of the recording is the humorously profound "My Dog Jesus," written by Kurt Fortmeyer, C.J. Watson and Al DeTrolio.

The CD includes a new original tune, "If You Come Up Empty." Being as much a refinisher of old songs as a creator of new music, Dean also created fresh arrangements of traditional hymns and gospel music for Give Us a Song. His fingerstyle guitar creates a toe-tapping accompaniment for "Precious Memories," and he combines a fingerstyle guitar arrangement with vocal instrumentation on the Shaker hymn "Simple Gifts" to craft an eloquently beautiful ending to the recording.

REVIEWS of Give Us a Song

"Dean Phelps walks the road of faith, and that faith informs his music and shines through it, but you'll never feel like he's preaching or trying to convince you to think a certain way. Phelps is an artist who simply is himself, and that sense of self shines through in his music. Phelps brings a voice that is pleasant and warm without ever sounding overpowering and his ability as a guitarist and writer/arranger is profound. Give Us A Song is an exciting effort that deserves a great deal of attention." Wildy's World review, August 2009.

"An amazing sounding album which combines great harmonies with fantastic songs that at times are played with just an acoustic guitar; all of which is to Phelps advantage and certainly a joy to hear." (5 out of 5 stars) Maverick Magazine, March 2009.

"Dean Phelps has an inviting voice that draws you into his music and his guitar playing is crisp, clean, and drives the songs where they need to go." C.W. Ross, Christian Rockers Online