Express & Star

Dean Friedman, Robin 2, Bilston - review and pictures

“When you tell people you’re going to see Dean Friedman, you get one of two responses: ‘Dean who?’ And ‘did you see Lisa?’”

Published
Dean Friedman on stage at the Robin 2, Bilston. Pic: Kirsten Rawlins

Many musicians would struggle to captivate a crowd stood alone playing just an acoustic guitar and occasionally the keys - but last night Lucky Stars singer Dean Friedman managed the feat with ease.

Stood on stage at the Robin 2 dressed all in black, the endearing New Jersey star had the crowds giggling, singing along, and listening intently throughout the show with his wide range of material, both old and new.

A highlight of the Bilston show was Dean’s stunning, powerful rendition of 1978 number Lydia. Renowned for his high range and unique vocals, the 61-year-old star projected his voice beautifully - filling the venue with his lovely note-perfect performance, as the crowd sang along to every word.

Dean is a true showman - and really knows how to command a crowd.

With each humourous song came a witty remark or tale from the star - with him announcing his 2005 ditty Death To The Neighbours was his ‘ode to community relations’, and making the audience believe they were in for a love song before serenading them with I’m Not Sorry To See You Go.

He also told tales of his time as a young songwriter living in a ‘sparsely’ decorated apartment in New York. It was there where he wrote Well, Well Said The Rocking Chair, he said, ‘after some herbal influence’. He also explained how 1981 song McDonald’s Girl ‘has always been problematic’, having been banned by the BBC for mentioning a brand name - though it was used many, many years later by the fast food chain.

He gave beautiful renditions of Woman Of Mine and Ariel, as well as a number of new songs - highlights of which were I Could Fall For You and Your Pretty Face.

Often, new music can be dull when performed at a concert, but with Dean this was far from the case.

More comical numbers such as S&M and his response to Half Man, Half Biscuit’s song The B****** Son Of Dean Friedman, A Baker’s Tale (which humorously calls into question the conception of the band’s frontman Nigel Blackwell) followed - and went down a storm.

The last time he was at the Robin 2 was actually to perform that song alongside Half Man, Half Biscuit, he added.

He finished the show off with a gorgeous performance of his most successful hit Lucky Stars, for which the audience filled in the part of his duet partner Denise Marsa.

“Thank you for coming guys,” added Dean.

“I’ll definitely be back next year because it’s the 40th anniversary of Well, Well Said The Rocking Chair.

“This has been a treat.”

It certainly has Dean - and we can’t wait for your return.