September 1, 2003 - Dean Friedman at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival
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American recording artist, Dean Friedman, announces 25th Anniversary tour to promote the 25th Anniversary Edition re-issue of his classic album, 'Well, Well', Said the Rocking Chair', including the chart topping hits, 'Lucky Stars' & 'Lydia'.
Real Life Records recording artist, Dean Friedman, best known to American audiences for his top 20 debut single, 'Ariel', and to European audiences for his classic hits, 'Lucky Stars', 'Lydia' and 'Rocking Chair, announces a 25th Anniversary UK/Ireland tour to coincide with the October, 2003 release of a special 25th Anniversary reissue of his classic 1978 album 'Well, Well,' Said the Rocking Chair' - 25th Anniversary Edition.
Over the past quarter century, since the original release of 'Well, Well, Said the Rocking Chair', Friedman has earned a loyal and devoted worldwide following as a consummate songsmith and recording artist with a string of international hits and gold records. Other Friedman hits include, 'Woman of Mine' and 'McDonald's Girl'. Friedman's single, McDonald's Girl, was officially banned by the BBC (for mentioning a tradename), but, despite a 16 year absence from recording, his ear-catching, pop-fusion songwriting style continued to influence a new generation of musicians including some of today's most popular contemporary bands.
Bands such as Barenaked Ladies (they had their first Canadian radio hit with a cover version of his song McDonald's Girl), Ben Folds Five, The Blenders (Scored a #1 hit in Norway with their cover of McDonald's Girl.), and the British band Half Man – Half Biscuit (Released a best-selling EP containing a track entitled 'The Bastard Son of Dean Friedman'.), all acknowledge Friedman's quirky yet sophisticated brand of songwriting as an influence.
Critics have compared Friedman's music to the likes of Paul Simon, Sting, Randy Newman and Elton John and recent featured TV appearances on the hit BBC series, I Love The '70's, and Classic Duet and the Baddiel Syndrome, have served to firmly re-establish Friedman as a major recording artist in the singer/songwriter, pop/rock genre. Typical reviews of Friedman and his music upon the original release of 'Well, Well' Said the Rocking Chair', describe him and his work thus: "Songsmith Extraordinaire' – MUSIC WEEK. 'Stunning musicianship' – HOT PRESS. 'Friedman succeeds where others fail because he takes risks and makes them come off. An exceptional talent!' NME.
Friedman has just completed a critically acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival [Assembly Rooms], this August, garnering critical praise: "Every song in this Edinburgh show is a classic. You won't see a better show." – London Theatre Guide. "Sophisticated and humorous work from an old master!" Scotland on Sunday / Festival Critic's Music Choice. "With his mix of jaunty ditties, sentimental ballads and bashful charm, Friedman is the pop troubador of choice." The Scotsman.
The 25th Anniversary Concert Tour commences October 1st and covers 30 cities in UK and Ireland. [See GIG Section for Tour Dates]
The new release, 'Well, Well' Said the Rocking Chair' – 25th Anniversary Edition, is being re-issued by independent label, Real Life Records, and is available online at http://deanfriedman.com .