Florida-born Billy Dean is back with a new album titled A Man of Good Fortune, and it’s a good one. Dean saw a good amount of success in the ’90’s with ten Top-10 songs before rebounding in 2004 with another Top-1o hit titled, “Let Them Be Little.” Since then, he hasn’t charted a single in the Top-50 as radio has moved on from him, but he has continued to record and tour.
A Man of Good Fortune takes you back to the glory days with several songs that have that ’90’s country feel to them. The album starts off with “I Can’t Leave a Good Thing,” a song that borrows a page from the Gatlin Brothers in the way that it starts off with the chorus before the first verse. It’s an upbeat song about not being able to leave his woman for very long.
“A Seed” is a well-written inspirational song that should garner some Song of the Year consideration, whether or not it’s ever played on the radio. It’s that good. The song tells a story from the view point of a seed, and all of the things it has accomplished despite such a small and humble beginning. It’s hard to pick a single line to justify it’s greatness, so I’m including all 3 verses here:
For centuries kids have cooled off in my shade and climbed my limbs. I’ve been a home to blue birds; I protect them form the wind. If you want the world to see your heart, carve it into me. But in the hands of a carpenter, I am so much more. I frame the memories on your wall, I swing on your front porch. There’s that table built with love; I bring together families.
(chorus) So don’t tell me you’re too small to do amazing things, I was just a seed.
Well I sang the chords to Ring of Fire when Johnny strung my strings, and Babe Ruth held me in his hands when he took those mighty swings. And how those Wright Brothers got me in the air, is anybody’s guess. I sailed Columbus over wild uncharted seas. And who’d have thought they’d nickname Andrew Jackson after me, and on wagon wheels I carried pioneers across the west.
(chorus)
I’m proud to hold you as you rock your little ones to sleep, and to be that cross around your neck to show what you believe. They drape a flag upon me when a soldier’s laid to rest, so you can cut me down, take my life, its when I’m at my best.
(chorus)
“Middle of Nowhere” and “Dear John” are a couple of upbeat, fast-paced songs that lead into “All The Difference In The World,” which is another one of my favorite songs on the album.
“I Don’t Need As Much Hell To Raise” tells about how life is still fun despite settling down a bit, and has a Montgomery Gentry-feel to it.
“Crazy Beautiful” is a love ballad, and “Image What I’d Do For You” is an upbeat love song that like many others on this album, is very well-written.
The album concludes with a beautiful, stripped down song called “Laura Nadine” that features Dean singing with just a piano. The song was written by Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Hugh Prestwood Jr. for his mother, Laura Nadine, on her 90th birthday. She recently passed away at the age of 96. It’s another one of my favorites on the album.
The only negative I could find with this album is that it only had 10 tracks on it. I like to see an album of new material come out with at least 12 tracks. While radio may never give Billy Dean a chance again by spinning his new music, he is still cranking out top quality material that is worth adding to your collection if you’re a fan of his, of 90’s country music, or of good country music in general.
Overall score: 8 out of 10