Track Listing

1. Company
2. Ariel
3. Solitaire
4. Woman Of Mine
5. Song For My Mother
6. Letter
7. I May Be Young
8. Humor Me
9. Funny Papers
10. Love Is Not Enough
11. Rocking Chair (It's Gonna Be All Right)
12. I've Had Enough
13. Lucky Stars
14. Shopping Bag Ladies
15. Don't You Ever Dare
16. Deli Song (Corned Beef On Wry)
17. Lydia
18. S And M
19. Let Down Your Hair

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12892 in Music
• Released on: 1991-04-29
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .20 pounds

Customer Reviews

Underrated Treasure
I discovered "Ariel" by Dean Friedman early in 2004 on volume 20 of the excellent series "Super Hits of the 70's." I was washing dishes when "Ariel" came on and I had to stop and listen, and it hasn't gotten out of my head since. In my opinion, it is one of the two or three best pop records, ever. What glorious layered vocals on the choruses, and such an original storyline. You'll think of it every time you say "Hi" to someone again.

Through Dean's website I obtained all five of his CD's. While they all have good songs, I can particularly recommend this twofer set that contains his first two albums. The first, "Dean Friedman," shows a developing talent - but "Ariel" alone is worth the price of the whole disc.

I agree with a couple of other reviewers, however, that "Well, Well, Said The Rocking Chair" is Dean's crowning achievement. Here he comes into his own with a unique perspective and complex, rich characters. Take the relationship between the loser with a heart of gold and the codependent woman in "Lydia." Or the excitement of first love on "The Deli Song." Or the man who finds hope in his everyday belongings in "Rocking Chair." All nine tracks are brilliantly written, and sung beautifully in Dean's unique voice.

It's a shame that Dean didn't achieve greater success (two Top 40 hits in the UK and only one in the US), but not a surprise, given that his music is hard to categorize and wholly original. Treat yourself to this excellent twofer and enjoy some great writing and singing whose quality has stood the test of time.

Tremendous
Fantastic offering from the 70's. Title track says it all - bit silly on one level but gets you right in the heart on another, just like Lucky Stars:

"What are you crazy? How in the hell can you say what you just said?
I was talking to myself. Shut the door and come to bed.
By the way, I forgot to say, your endearing mother called today.
Did you see Lisa? Yes I saw Lisa.
Is that why you're angry? I wasn't angry.
Maybe a little. Not even maybe.
Must be the weather. Now don't be a baby."

Terrific stuff.

The Most Underrated Writer Ever?
This double album truly shows that Dean Friedman, for all his magic, will forever be unknown to the general population. While having a number of successful singles in the 70's, the two albums here are the finest quality, showing Freidman's beautiful voice and penmanship.

The first half of the album is Friedman's eponymous debut. It features such songs as the folk styled 'Company', and hit single 'Ariel'. His writing style hasn't developed to its fullest here, and the music takes most influence from folk and pop. The second half of the album is the phenomanal 'Well Well Said the Rocking Chair Album'. I have loved this album since I was 4 years old and would say all but one song on this album is a perfect example of pop at its best. Here the influence is clearly pop, with key ballads including 'Lydia' and hit single 'Lucky Stars'. Other favourites include the title track 'The Deli Song' and 'S&M'

I urge any budding songsmith to buy this album as it an unearthed gem of music. Thoughs who own it will agree this a fantastic album worthy of anybodys cd player.