Donna Dean – Kisses and Other Things
I’ve received great gifts in my life: a used ’57 Mercury Montclair, a Washburn electric guitar, Balvenie Double wood whisky, & a box of 25 Oliva Maduro cigars. How do you thank someone?
The most memorable in my memory is a Christmas gift my Dad gave me. He didn’t have time to buy a thing (he worked a long day in embroidery). So, instead, he took white packing foam, rolled it tight, scrap material, ribbons & handcrafted & shaped 2 snowmen with faces. I was 8.
Those gifts were the most cherished I ever got. They probably cost nothing. But he made them. The point? I’ve known artists since I played music & wrote lyrics. Met many as a publicist. But New Zealand’s Donna Dean, she’s my two snowmen artist.
Many Americans are still unfamiliar. Yet, Donna’s an exceptional singer with a tonality & dynamism not evident on many country LPs. She’s articulate & transcends the commerciality & mainstream fluff of modern country music. Kisses and Other Things (Dropped Sept 25–Independent) is a 12-cut produced by Donna Dean & John Egenes with an array of musicians.
Donna’s indomitable style isn’t wholly Nashville, Austin, or Bakersfield. And shouldn’t be. She’s an Auckland-born New Zealand native with Americana in the pores of her skin. She earned accolades for & with (Rhonda Vincent’s Grammy-nominated bluegrass piece “Destination Life” which was Donna’s baby & worked with the Amazing Rhythm Aces – no mean feat).
Her originality does not run the gamut of creativity the distance from one’s nose to the upper lip. Oh, no. Ms. Dean’s songs don’t overflow from the musical pot’s boiling point — her tunes simmer just below the lid. She’s neither a greenhorn nor an artist in the twilight of a career. She’s producing the finest music she’s ever done – with authenticity.
There’s the wonderful “Holiday Moon,” — typical Donna Dean excellence. “I’m Okay,” with a middle-of-the-road jazzy chanteuse delivery & warm voice. Her duets with her female vocalists are always exciting listens. “Do Some Fishin,” runs a slender finger across the rim of the Carter Family glass & that’s impressive.
Donna does change her “physical appearance” often. She could be the sophisticated acoustic guitar lady (my favorite picture of her, above), the studious eye-glass wearer, or the butt-kicking overall-wearing Kiwi beauty who will sing you to sleep safely. All good…just like her music continues to be.
Highlights – “Kisses and Other Things,” “Holiday Moon,” “Foot on the Gas,” “I’m Okay,” “Do Some Fishin’,” “Deep Trouble Now,” “A Little Grace” & “On the Rise.”
Musicians – Donna Dean (lead vocal/rhythm guitar), Eliza Gilkyson, Kylie Price & Liv Cochrane (vocals), John Dodd (bass), Terry Ebeling (harmonica), Anna Bowen (fiddle/violins/harmony vocal),
Gunther Flutney (percussion/mandolin/accordion/synth), John Egenes (electric & acoustic guitars/B bender guitar/banjo/mandolin/dobro, pedal steel guitar & autoharp).
Color images courtesy of Donna Dean. CD @ https://donnadean1.bandcamp.com/album/kisses-and-other-things