Album Notes

..Wildfires in the hills and canyons of Los Angeles, radio ghosts, the road, redemption, Elvis, the moon, Robert Johnson, small town New England life and of course, love and all of its entanglements. These are the themes one can expect from this well traveled, seasoned songwriter and his prolific song writing partner, lyricist George Wardwell.

A member of the Atlantic Records folk-rock group Devonsquare for more than 27 years and now a powerful solo artist, Tom possesses the perfect voice and guitar style to bring his character rich songs to life in an intimate performance setting.

...Not many people stick with something for 27 years. Not unless they absolutely love what they're doing and not without some success at it. This singer/songwriter, producer and musician fits that description perfectly. In 1974 Tom embarked on a journey to New Hampshire that would change his life forever. Offered a job singing in a little pub for the summer he left Rhode Island, put everything he owned in a VW Bug and hit the road. Two years and many solo gigs later he joined the folk/rock group Devonsquare. This band was determined to write all the music they performed (after all it was the 70's and singer/songwriters were king) and in the beginning this was mostly in local bars and college pubs in the Portland Maine area.
...After ten years of touring and three independently released recordings the legendary Ahmet Ertegun, Chairman of Atlantic Records, signed Devonsquare after hearing Tom's song "Walking On Ice" from the self released CD of the same name. Devonsquare went on to record another CD "Bye Bye Route 66" for Atlantic (which spawned the critically acclaimed single "If You Could See Me Now") tour internationally and to share stages with the likes of Bonnie Raitt, Peter Frampton and Steven Stills.

...Although Tom still performs occasionally with Devonsquare, his solo career is now his main focus. He has played every major music venue in the Northeast and shared the stage with artists Jonatha Brooke, Willie Porter and Mark Cohen just to name a few. His first solo release "Your Own Backyard" in 1999 brought much deserved respect for his songwriting, singing and production skills.


"Dean shows us a side of his talent that isn't always evident in his work with Devonsquare. Overall this is a strong album by a seasoned songwriter."
Scott Sutherland - Portland Press Herald

"He's simply one of the finest singer-songwriter-musicians, walking this planet today. His music is exciting, mystical, haunting, impassioned, subliminal. This has to be one of the best independent albums to come out this year."
Independent-Songwriter Magazine

...With the release of the new CD "Pennies" Tom has once again teamed up with lyricist George Wardwell to produce ten stunning songs rich in melody and lyric.

"Lately I've been going down to church a lot
I don't go in - I just walk around the block
and if I should ever get with God up face to face
I'm gonna ask him why he piled up so much
sorrow in one place." G. Wardwell

...The musicians on this project are the cream of the crop of NYC's finest: Shawn Pelton on drums ( Shawn Colvin, Saturday Night Live Band) Michael Visceglia on bass (Suzanne Vega) and some of the Northeast's most respected: Kevin Barry on guitar (Paula Cole) Don Campbell (banjo & vocals) Joyce Andersen (violin & vocals) Tom Yoder (violin & mandolin).

...Pop culture may come and go like the weather but great songs and great singers will always be remembered. Tom Dean writes great songs and performs them like no one else can.