Review / 200 Words Or Less
Deric Dyer
Renaissance Man

Dellboy Records (2012) Scott Wilkinson

Deric Dyer – Renaissance Man cover artwork
Deric Dyer – Renaissance Man — Dellboy Records, 2012

So this is what happens when you gather up some of the best musicians around the Boston scene and then front the band with one of the top saxophone players going these days. Deric Dyer has played saxophone for the likes of Tina Turner and Joe Cocker even guesting on the Ric Ocasek - Beatitude album. Deric has been carefully honing his sound over the years and it shows on this release, he is the Boston version of Bobby Keys and like Bobby he can rip it up with the best of them.

The album features some of the best Boston musicians around with Cliff Goodwin - Guitar (Joe Cocker Band, Christine Ohlman & Rebel Montez, Robert Palmer), Marty Richards - Drums (Peter Wolf), Mitch Chakour - Keyboards (Joe Cocker Band), David Hull - Bass (Joe Perry Project, Aerosmith) along with a host of other equally talented musicians. 

The record is filled with standards that, while you are familiar with them Deric and the band add their own flavor to them. Starting with the tune "Gimme Some Lovin" and drifting into "Whatever Lola Wants" or "Stand By Me" you can feel the emotion Deric puts into every note he plays. The record covers several decades with songs "Give Me The Night" and "Sweet Love" along with a great version of "Use Me" with vocals provided by Mitch Chakour each song on the album brings out the best Deric has to offer. 

Also included on this release is Deric's powerful version of "America The Beautiful", the emotion Deric puts into every note is felt throughout the song a truly fantastic rendition that leans more toward the Ray Charles version which is one of the best.

Deric Dyer – Renaissance Man cover artwork
Deric Dyer – Renaissance Man — Dellboy Records, 2012

Advertisement

DCxPC 2025

Recently-posted album reviews

The Cure

Songs of a Lost World
Capitol, Fiction, Lost Music, Polydor/Universal (2024)

It's been sixteen years since The Cure released their last album. I don't know if anyone really knew what to expect, but it's one of the most influential bands in history so expectations were high. The Verdict? Those expectations were met. It'd be silly to say Songs of a Lost World is a "return to form" as the band and … Read more

City Mouse

So Far Out
Brassneck Records, It's Alive (2024)

There are few bands that hit with the mix of raw emotion and musical talent as a live City Mouse show. There are even fewer bands that can capture that live feeling on a record. It’s been a long 7 years since Get Right, but So Far Out keeps it moving as if no time has passed. Of course, the … Read more

Machine Girl

MG Ultra
Future Classic (2024)

Ideally, I would be a bit more interested in art. In visual art- paintings, sketches, MS Paint monstrosities- whatever. I wish I knew more about the meaning of a brush stroke or even had the desire to know more about the meaning of a brush stroke. I spend a lot of time listening to music and, subsequently, I see a … Read more