New song ‘Timmy and the Trip on the Train’

Written January 27th, 2012

A few months ago, some folks I was working with asked me to send them my train song for a PBS special about trains.  ”Of course,” I replied before realizing that I had never written a song about trains.  Apparently everyone else has one??

I wrote this song literally while driving from my home on the west end of Richmond to the studio downtown.  And I love it.  I wish more songs came along that way. Sometimes the stories just tell themselves.

I had never written a song about my childhood.  My uncle Timmy worked for the railroad.  He taught me how to play guitar.  He loved John Prine, Neil Young, and laughing.  And I wish he could hear this song. Hope yall like it.

I’d love to know what you think of the song.  Just leave a comment below and Ill get back to you.

Opening for Mary Gauthier!

Written January 10th, 2012

Mary Gauthier Mercy Now is a superb album.  You HAVE to hear it.  Its one of those album that was popping up all over the place with ads and reviews in the magazines I was reading years ago.  Back when opinions and reviews in magazines were popping up all over the place too.  But, when a buddy of mine from Boston told me I had to hear “I Drink” I finally gave it a listen.  And, my goodness did I regret waiting so long.

She crafts great songs.  Thats the only way to describer her music, seriously.  Mary Gauthier lyrics are honest, poignant, raw, wry, and real.  And last year’s album Mary Gauthier The Foundling was definitely on my top albums of 2011 list.  (If I were less lazy and actually made such a list.)

She is touring with Tania Elizabeth (from the Duhks) on violin.  And I….am OPENING for them!!  Come see us:

Friday Jan 20th
Burlap & Bean
Newtown Square, PA
Get Tickets HERE
I hope you’ll come see me and Mary Gauthier!!

-Dean

New Review w/ Chris Isaak and Verlon Thompson !

Written January 3rd, 2012

The nice folks at Sun209 had some sweet things to say about  Under A Searchlight Moon:

This has no filler; just five smart songs that ring true. “You get pretty; you just keep going, that’s why we’re late for everything we ever do,” Fields sings in “Forever Never Knowing,” one of a number of songs that suggest real relationships set to music.

Check out the rest of the reviews including Chris Isaak and Verlon Thompson here:
http://sun209.com/reviews-dirt-drifters-chris-isaakverlon-thompson-and-more/

Got a lil ‘Best of 2011′ love

Written December 31st, 2011

Richmond Playlist picked ‘Under a Searchlight Moon’ for his Best Albums of 2011!

“Dean Fields has an incredible voice backed up with some fine guitar playing. His latest release offers a more polished feel and a more mature sound than he’s done before.”  Also on the list are Trey Pollard’s baby ‘Vampire Octopus.’ See more.

And…Sounds of RVA picked my video for ‘Forever Never Knowing‘ for their top 10 videos of the year!

(#5 to be exact). Check out the other videos.

I love my city.  See yall in 2012.

New Review: “Undeniable Beauty & Wonderful Lyrics”

Written November 29th, 2011

Michael Doherty just posted a review of the new EP.  -Swell guy.  He had some really nice things to say…

“A tongue like a hammer and a mouth full of nails.” That’s the opening line of Dean Fields’ new CD. The first time I put it on, I had aimed to get some other things done in my apartment while listening. But that line grabbed me, and I set aside everything else to just listen. And then listened again. And again.
Though Dean Fields has been performing for ten years, this EP was my introduction to this singer/songwriter. And if these five songs are a true indication of his talent, then Dean Fields is definitely someone to pay attention to. Under A Searchlight Moon isn’t a solo effort. There is a band, and unlike some folk albums with bands, the other instruments sound inherent to the songs, rather than forced or simply added in the studio. But it is the album’s lyrics that really impressed me. All of the songs are originals, written by Dean Fields.
“Tongue Like A Hammer”

“Tongue Like A Hammer” opens with a short acoustic guitar intro before that line that grabbed me. With a line like that, I wasn’t expecting the song to be sweet. But this song has an undeniable beauty, and some wonderful lyrics. Here is a taste: “So let me prove you wrong/All your ever-present doubt and your endless questions/Honey, let me love you like no one’s ever done.” (I also have to mention another phrase that made me smile: “A watchdog’s bark and a cat o’nine tails.”) This song also features some nice work by Trey Pollard. I really liked this song from the first listen, and each time I play this EP I like it more.

“Forever Never Knowing”

“Forever Never Knowing” immediately wins you over with its catchy folk rhythm. Its lyrics actually made me laugh out loud, catching me off guard, with its line about the hat (“I held onto you holding onto your hat/How about that?/I’ve never seen you wear one before“) and these lines: “You get pretty/You just keep going/That’s why we’re late for everything we ever do/Still I’ll spend forever never knowing/How I live life living without you.” This song also has the EP’s title in its lyrics: “So I’m holding onto you under a big wide searchlight moon.” I love this song’s mixture of beauty and humor – I think it’s exactly that combination that makes this song feel true.

“Something’s Gotta Give”

Sometimes a song will directly address exactly what you’re feeling or experiencing in your life at the time you first hear it, and so it immediately feels important. That’s how it was for me with “Something’s Gotta Give.” This is the song from this EP that really got to me. In this one, Dean sings, “Something’s gotta give/If I ain’t giving up/’Cause this ain’t no way to live/Something’s gotta give/If I ain’t giving up/I ain’t giving up.” I love songs that are sad and positive at the same time, songs that are full of hope because hope is all there is left. “Something’s Gotta Give” is one of my favorite songs of the year.

“Nowhere Fast”

“Nowhere Fast” is a more upbeat song, opening with a burst of energy that’s a bit jarring after the previous song. But it doesn’t take long for you to catch up and switch moods. This song even has a cool lead guitar section. And this warning: “If you’re taking me, you’d better be taking heed.” It ends with the phrase, “making the best of disaster,” which is great.

“Could’ve Been”

Dean’s vocals really come to the fore on the EP’s final track, “Could’ve Been.” This is a slower song, and once again features some good lyrics. It begins and ends with the line, “I’ll be here tomorrow.” The last lines are, “Show me all your reasons/Disappointments/Show me/Show me what could’ve been/I’ll be here tomorrow.”

CD Track List

1. Tongue Like A Hammer
2. Forever Never Knowing
3. Something’s Gotta Give
4. Nowhere Fast
5. Could’ve Been

Musicians

Musicians appearing on this CD include Dean Fields on guitar and vocals, Curtis Fye on bass and vocals, Wells Hanley on drums and piano, Trey Pollard on guitar and pedal steel, and Erika Sato on violin.

Under A Searchlight Moon was released on March 15, 2011. For those in the Boston area, Dean Fields will be doing a series of concerts with Lori McKenna at Club Passim in Cambridge in December. Those should be some seriously good shows.

Read the entire article here: http://michaelsmusiclog.blogspot.com/2011/11/dean-fields-under-searchlight-moon-2011.html

December Shows w/ Lori McKenna!

Written November 16th, 2011

I am so excited to support my friend LORI MCKENNA on her December shows in Boston!  4 shows in 2 days!!  These shows are gonna be so good!!!

Sat. Dec 17th @5pm:  Club Passim, Cambridge MA

Sat. Dec 17th @8pm:  Club Passim, Cambridge MA

Sun. Dec 18th @5pm:  Club Passim, Cambridge MA

Sat. Dec 18th @8pm:  Club Passim, Cambridge MA

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE!

Show with Delta Rae!

Written November 7th, 2011

I’ve been hearing about these folks from lots of trusted sources. So, when the band contacted me to join them for their show in Richmond I was happy to oblige. They’ve got tons of talent and energy. Check out this video:


If you’re new here and aren’t familiar with my music…Be sure to grab my FREE DOWNLOAD here: http://www.deanfields.net

See you at the show!!
-Dean

Sun. Nov 13th @ 7pm
Capital Ale Music Hall (downtown)
Richmond VA

DC Show with Sarah Siskind!

Written October 17th, 2011

Im coming back to the DC area and I’m bringing Curtis and brand new songs! I can’t wait for yall to hear them. Also performing will be Sarah Siskind! I’ve been a fan of her music for a long time. You’ve heard Sarah Siskind songs performed by Bon Iver and Alison Krauss.

This will be a good one yall. See you there!
-Dean

Wed Oct 19th @ 7:30pm
Jammin Java
227 Maple Ave East
Vienna VA
w/ Cassidy Ford and Sarah Siskind
GET TICKETS:

“Lyrical Talents Jeffrey Foucault and Dean Fields”

Written September 21st, 2011

Local Coffeehouse Was All Ears For Lyrical Talents Jeffrey Foucault and Dean Fields

(Patch.com) Burlap and Bean’s “listening venue” reputation was verified once again as these two singers gave the audience something to hear and think about on Friday, Sept. 16.

NEWTOWN SQAURE—On Friday, Sept. 16,Burlap and Bean welcomed back one of their favorite performers, Jeffrey Foucault(pronounced “folk-alt”). He was paired with Dean Fields, who was a first timer at Burlap and Bean. The pair both fit the folk rock genre, but what tied them together in this ideal bill was the lyrical strength each man possessed.

For both, songs aren’t just about the emotion but the moment that inspires each emotion. Both Foucault and Fields combine a quick turn of phrases with poetic narratives that capture a time and captivated Friday night’s audience.

[Read More]

I’m Opening for Jay Clifford! (Jump Little Children)

Written September 13th, 2011

I’ve had some pretty great opening gigs before.  But, this one is really special to me.  Sat. Sep 24th @730 I am opening for Jay Clifford!

The first time I heard Jay Clifford I was a 19 yr old college student driving into the Virginia Beach tunnel when Jump Little Children Cathedrals came on the radio.  I knew I had discovered something really special and just as I was being introduced to this arresting, gorgeous song it was being taken away into a submerged hiss of radio static!!!  As I exited the tunnel I was able to catch the final chorus and Jay’s humming at the end.   I literally was itching to hear more like a kid squirming in my bucket seat.  I tracked down a record store in Richmond that had their album Jump Little Children Magazine and was forever changed.  As a wannabe songwriter that song completely floored me.  -The lyrics, Jay’s voice, the string arrangement…. I began digging up b-sides and live tracks, and going to their shows including the yearly Dock Street Theatre show. I was an avid fan in a way that I don’t think I’ve experienced since.