Music
Dean's music reflects his many influences, but home base has always been the tradition of folk music and singer-songwriters. He lists among his influences James Taylor, John Prine, Nanci Griffith and Kate Wolf. He brings his own touch to every song with thumb-style guitar and easy-going vocals.
He describes himself as an "occasional songwriter," but each set includes original songs like If You Come Up Empty and Play On, Pauline.
Dean enjoys being a "refinisher of old songs" and includes his arrangements of folk songs and hymns in his sets, such as the Shaker hymn Simple Gifts, Love Divine and Wayfaring Stranger.
Set Lists
A typical set would include many of these songs:
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Watch video of live performances. Links in the list point to pages with video clips of the song.
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Recordings
Give Us a Song (2008)
"An amazing sounding album which combines great harmonies with fantastic songs that at times are played with just an acoustic guitar; all of which is to Phelps' advantage and certainly a joy to hear." (Maverick Magazine, March 2009)
Give a Girl a Chance (Compilation)
Dean appears with 18 other artists on this compilation disc in support of the 20th Anniversary Tenderness Tour.
This Old House (2006)
This Old House explores Dean's varied influences, including rock and gospel alongside acoustic ballads and songs of faith.
Going Over Home (1997)
No longer available on CD, Going Over Home demonstrates Dean's love for hymns and gospel music. It offers many of the songs of faith he grew up on.