Tom Dean and company have produced a real gem. "Pennies" is as enjoyable a listen as you can find. Rich and smooth,   with a hint of jamming tucked into the mix. Outstanding production, songwriting, and musicianship. This one is not to be missed. 
Killer riffs from Dean and guitarist Kevin Barry on many numbers. "Ghost Music" is a standout. "Pennies" demonstrates Dean's abundant  skills as a musician and as a producer, this could be the start of something big for Mr. Dean,.. and well deserved.
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Tom Dean is a New Hampshire singer-songwriter, and though he's a 25+ year veteran of local folk/rock heroes Devonsquare, these days his solo career has been in the spotlight. On his latest CD, Pennies, Dean serves up ten strong, original songs co-written with friend/lyricist George Wardwell.

Wardwell also contributed lyrics to Dean's 1999 release, Your Own Backyard (reviewed right here on Indie-Music.com), and is in fine form this time around. The lyrics are cleverly crafted stories set to Dean's memorable melodies, most of which fall into the "modern folk" or singer-songwriter genre. There are a couple surprises, however, like Dean's wailing harmonica on the bluesy title track and the surprisingly traditional violin on "That Girl is the Moon".

The single most impressive thing about this album (among many) is the consistent strength of the songwriting. There's not a weak tune in the bunch.

I just love this guy's voice. He's been compared by other reviewers to Phil Collins, Don Henley, and James Taylor. I also heard traces of Paul Simon's genius on "Run Down Slow" and "The Streets of Montreal".
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"Pennies" is the second solo effort of North Conway’s Tom Dean, of the long-running supergroup Devonsquare. "Classy" readily comes to mind to describe a superb 40 minutes of sound. "Splendid" also rattles around in that vast vacuum serving as the music reviewer’s stand-in for gray matter. 
First-rate music, pithy lyrics and talented performers all bear up well under repeated aural scrutiny. In truth, most of the song lyrics, eight collaborations with George Wardwell and two lonely star turns from Dean, improve with contemplation.

"Sunset Town" is a requiem for a lost Los Angeles, the bygone serenity of the old City of Angels – Los Angeles before freeways, choking smog, and wall-to-wall hustle. Now it is never dark, never asleep, never safe. 

The title cut, "Pennies" is a jaunty reflection on choices made, opportunities lost, and the lure of irretrievable new beginnings. The answers lie within. 

Dean and Wardwell milk life’s experiences and the cream rises to the top. Deep thoughts are cleanly rendered and speak to everyman. Even songs about that road more traveled, love, sound original, not hackneyed. 

The "Pennies" band usually sports Dean on vocals, acoustic, bass, slide and electric guitars, keyboards, tambourine, harmonica, and/or snare drum, Shawn Pelton on drums, Michael Visceglia on bass guitar, and Kevin Barry on electric guitars. Other contributors include Don Campbell on background vocals and banjo, Tom Yoder on mandolin and violin, Charlie Jennison on soprano sax, and Joyce Andersen on violin and background and additional vocals. 

"Pennies" is prima facie evidence why one of New England’s finest singer-songwriters, and a gifted vocalist and multi-instrumentalist to boot, is also in constant demand as a producer. If you like contemporary folk, "Pennies" will sound heavenly.
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Simply terrific new CD. I love the title song, too. And your tracks with Joyce are very appealing. "Fab!"
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