Welcome to the music portion of Toys-n-Cars.com
This page contains info on my 2 CD releases and if you scroll down, you can actually hear the songs!
The page also contains info on the radio stations around the world that have played the CD's and you can even find reviews of the music.
If that's not enough, you can scroll down even further and check out my entire 40 year long music career through a myriad of mostly embarrassing pictures.
The CD's (or albums, as I like to call them):
The second album is officially finished after 6 long months of blood, sweat and fun! I am now taking orders and can ship immediately. Price is $15 postpaid or $25 for the two.
And we accept credit cards
Check, money order, credit card or Paypal to:
Dean Milano
362 Highland Ave.
Elmhurst, Il. 60126
The titles of the albums:
Songs About Stuff
Vestiges: More Songs About More Stuff
Or how about this? For an extra $5 ($20 postpaid) you can custom make your own album. Go through the more than 30 songs on this page and choose which ones you'd like on your album. Pick as many or as few as you like, as long as it doesn't total more than 80 minutes worth of music.
You'll get the standard album case which will list the titles for SONGS ABOUT STUFF, but your disc will contain the songs you personally chose.
It's been a year since the first CD was released and every single song has been played multiple times on the radio, so I guess that's a good sign. I guess somebody likes it.
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(If you thought my first CD had little or no commercial potential......this one's got even less!)
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Hey, I actually set up a My Space page! If you have a mild interest in knowing where I'll be performing, all my upcoming gigs are listed there. Check it out if you get a chance:
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Songs About Stuff
1. Flashes of Brilliance 3:13
Dean
Milano: Vocal
and electric bass
Inspiration:
John Nash
Lyric Tweakers: Pat Cannon and Greg Trafidlo
2. Take the Blue Highway 3:17
Dean
Milano:
Vocals, guitar and upright bass
Greg
Trafidlo:
Guitar and vocals
Greg
Cahill: Banjo
Peter
Seman: Fiddle
Inspiration: William Least Heat Moon
"Now THAT'S a good song!" - Paul Craft Nashville songwriter and publisher
Because the album is now finished and for sale, the following songs are only sample versions instead of full cuts. Click on the song title for the sample play:
3. Forever Children, Children Forever 3:15
Dean
Milano:
Vocals, guitar, percussion and electric bass
Julianne
Macarus:
Violins
Inspiration: The War Du Jour
This song actually peaked at #171 on Neil Young's Living With War Today website. Probably doesn't sound like much, but that was out of over 2,500 songs.
4. Livin' the Good Life 3:17
Dean
Milano:
vocals, guitar and accordion
Inspiration:
My family
5. Just Another Whiney Song 3:16
Dean
Milano:
Vocals, guitar and electric bass
Dennis
Gordon: Piano
and vocal
Dave Kovnat: Drums
Patrick
Cannon: Additional
lyrics
Inspiration:
The world in general
6. Jim and the Big Bruiser 3:51
Dean
Milano: Vocal
and upright bass
Dennis Gordon: Mandolin
Inspiration:
Jerry Farrow
7. The New Politico Cha-Cha 3:17
Dean
Milano:
Vocals, guitar and electric bass
Dave
Kovnat: Drums
and percussion
Amberlee Haynes: Vocals
Inspiration:
The evening news
8. Time Machine 3:46
Dean
Milano: Vocal,
guitar and upright bass
Greg
Trafidlo:
Guitar and mandolin
Julie
Macarus:
Violin and viola
Inspiration:
"....very beautiful. Lovely, lovely, lovely." Michael Smith Singer/songwriter/recording artist
9.Good Ol' Boys from Mars 5:07
Dean
Milano: Vocal,
guitar and electric bass
Dave
Kovnat: Drums
and percussion
Inspiration:
Everyone I don’t agree with
10. You're in the Middle of Nowhere 4:20
Dean
Milano:
Vocals, guitar and electric bass
Scott
Braam: Guitar
Dennis
Gordon: Guitar
and mandolin
Amberlee
Haynes: Vocals
Inspiration:
A couple of misplaced Chicagoans
11. Panama City 2:40
Dean
Milano:
Vocals, guitar, percussion and electric bass
Inspiration:
12. Catalog Doll 5:03
Dean
Milano: Vocal,
guitar, upright bass, and percussion
Peter
Seman:
Harmonica
Inspiration:
A gal from
13. Beer Cans and Beanie Babies 3:31
Dean
Milano:
Vocals, guitar, and electric bass
Greg
Cahill: Banjo
Dave
Kovnat: Drums
Inspiration:
All the would-be millionaires who got stuck with the wrong stuff
14. A Song For Heroes 3:05
Dean
Milano:
Vocals, guitar, percussion and electric bass
Inspiration:
All those who have inspired me
15. Storm is Comin' 3:55
Dean
Milano:
Vocals, guitar, drums and electric bass
Julie
Macarus:
Violin and viola
Dennis
Gordon: Guitar
Amberlee Haynes: Vocal
Inspiration:
The almighty ‘Sing Along’
16. Where Did the Music Go? 2:24
Dean Milano: Vocal and upright bass
Don Stiernberg: Guitar
Inspiration: The sad state of affairs today
All songs produced by Dean Milano with Dennis Gordon
All songs copyright 2006, except Panama City 1985
Recording engineer: Scott Braam
Radio Airplay:
The Midnight Special (Local and National) WFMT- Illinois 17 times
Detours WYSO- Ohio 16 times
Hootenanny Power WRKF Louisiana
Town & Country Radio Show 783 AM New Zealand 4 times
Click Your Heels Together KFOK California 8 times
Hillbilly Rockhouse EVW Germany 6 times
Regina's Mighty Shores CJTR Sask, Canada 7 times
Roadtunes Sessions KCSB California Twice
Folk Festival WDCB Illinois 4 times
Rompin & Stompin Show KVMR California Twice
Fox's Minstrel Show WRFG Georgia 9 times
Sunday Night Folk Festival WHUS Connecticut Twice
General Eclectic WCVF New York
Local Anesthetic Capsule WXRT .....Illinois Twice
Folk and World Music WBGU Ohio Twice
The Folk Show WNUR Illinois Twice
Charlotte Indie Radio 365.com North Carolina CD is in regular rotation
Sunny Breeze Show Radio Minsk Belarus
Alooga Boom Alooga Media Germany 6 times
Eyebee's Thing North American Broadcasting South Carolina 3 times
Wyn's Country & Gospel Radio 88.3 & 107fm. New Zealand 10 times
Saloon BRTO Radio The Netherlands
Worldwide Independent Country Radio Australia Twice
UIS Stereo Universidad Industrial de Santander Colombia
Radio Unerhört Marburg Germany
Country favorites 2NUR FM Australia Twice
Nashville Showcase Radio Sotra Norway Twice
Soundwave FM New Zealand
Radio Seagull KJLU Missouri
FAB-AM England 9 times
Jazz Radio FM Poland
Isles FM Scotland
West Gippsland Community Radio Australia
Tony's World of Folk/The Celtic Connection CFBX BC, Canada 5 times
Radio 0162 Netherlands
RPS FM France
Archangel's Music Corner ECMA Radio Austria
Radio Terre Franche Belgium
Oz Radio Triple H-FM Australia
Country Club Productions Australia
The Country Music Club Radio Ham Belgium
The Country Channel Hot Spot Radio Network USA
Rolf's Pladdekaddong Radio RheinWelle 92.5 Germany
Boot Scootin' Country WICR/Shoutcast Netherlands
Jazz 88 WAER New York
Country Cross Roads CGC Radio England 3 times
Virus Americana MdM Radio 101.1 France
Afternoon Country WICR Australia
Murat Kasap Show Radyo SDU Turkey
Aimar Ventsel Estonian Radio Estonia
Country Club KIAK Alaska
Herb Bell KRRM Oregon
Yarra Valley FM 99.1 Australia
Darryl Lanyon 101FM Australia
Zulu Kangaroo Indie Radio CD is in regular rotation
Acoustic Revival WWSP Wisconsin
Country Club RPEM-FM Spain
Transitions Radio Magazine KABC FM New Mexico Twice
Radio Ermel Veluwe FM Netherlands
Reviews:
Dean
Milanos musical sensibilities, humor and craftsmanship are a breath of life to
the singer-songwriter world. For years, his chops have been the backbone of some
of Chicago's premier bands. Songs About Stuff is his turn to show us his
insightful writing, quirky humor, and tasty arranging that have made him the
"go to" guy for decades.
Just listen to Dean's killer songs from "Time Machine" to "Beer
Cans and Beanie Babies," and you know you're in the presence of a solid
song maker in control of his art.
Songs About Stuff is ear candy. Bet you can't listen to it just once!
Greg Trafidlo- President- Kira Records and song scribe
Songs About Stuff is full of delightful surprises
Eddie O'Strange- Town & Country Radio Show, New Zealand
Gerd Stassen - Hillbilly Rockhouse radio show- Berlin, Germany
Dean Milano represents an entire cross-section of the independent singer/songwriter community, whether he knows it or not. It's a profile shared by thousands, as Milano writes musical songs, with musical arrangements, about topics that used to be important to music. The lyric's the thing. Milano weaves tales in a melodic but conversational folk style that penetrates and creates friends just through his clear and relative content. I thoroughly enjoyed listening.
Don Kimenker - Founder of EarBuzz.com
Elmhurst singer-songwriter Dean Milano has been part of The New Seekers and opened for Cab Calloway, but it seems his biggest achievement is his latest CD, Songs About Stuff, which manages to be tuneful, intelligent, sometimes humorous, and well-executed from beginning to end. Milano’s songs are streetwise and smart, a welcome addition to anyone’s collection of troubadours. “Flashes Of Brilliance” is a great song, but any choice here is a winner.
Mike O’Cull - Illinois Entertainer magazine
Norman Whitman- Detours Radio Show, WYSO Ohio
I really enjoyed Songs About Stuff. Milano is a very good writer, a good singer and bass player.
Steve Hashimoto- News From the Trenches
Have been loving your songs. It's a CD which I know I will enjoy for many years!
Nic Culverwell- Manager, The New Seekers and the Bee Gees
There are lots of good songs on your CD... It's hard to decide what to play next...
Roman and Brenda- Regina's Mighty Shores Radio Show, Canada
We have played (Songs About Stuff) and think that it is well worth having tracks from the CD included in our playlists. The character of the music style presented gives this CD a unique feel, with an individual personality presented inside it's contents. Great work, and we sure look forward to hearing from you in the future
Graham Barclay- Soundwave FM, New Zealand
A superb album and one which deserves all the airplay it can get.
Peggy MacNeil - Isles FM, Scotland
Songs about Stuff really caught my attention. I liked the album already from the fresh looks of it and when I played it, it sounded great!! Just keep on going with what you're doing.
Paul van Kuik -Radio 0162, Netherlands
It's an excellent album, ........ A very personal style, music of high quality and a perfect voice make for some very great performances on this CD. It's very pleasant to listen to these songs. Thank you for this great CD
Etienne Berthels -Radio Terre Franche, Belgium
What a great sound you have, I have played several of your tracks to date and plan to schedule more in future programs. Keep up the good work and please keep me up to date with your progress
Michael Criddle - Folk Music radio DJ, Australia
Dean’s music is brilliant! On “Songs About Stuff” (Kira) he sings about declining moral values, the futility and immorality of war, man’s inhumanity to man and love. And he does this in a variety of moods and styles ranging from the bluegrass “Take The Blue Highway” to the emotional “Catalogue Doll” and in-between there is a lot of humour with “Just Another Whiney Song” and “The New Politico Cha Cha”. It is an album that never bores, always delivers something new with each listen and should be mandatory radio play.
Pete Smith- The Advertiser magazine- Great Britain
Everyone loves the understated Dean Milano - musically and otherwise.
Bill's Blues- Chicago nightclub
Thank you, Dean, for the good music. . I will surely air more tracks on upcoming shows
Lilli Kuzma- WDCB Radio
......from "Flashes of Brilliance" to "Where Did All The Music Go?" you can tell the experience from 35 years of song writing. An extraordinary album.
Christian Lamitschka - Editor of Country Home, Germany's Premiere Country Music Magazine
The best STUFF I've heard in a long time. Great beat and musical backing with lyrics that have "meat" to them. Songs often are written about nothing, but Dean Milano writes about real STUFF from his mind and his heart. I drop a song in from his album every show, just to brighten up the program.
Darryl Lanyon - 101FM Australia
Well, the second album is finished and is available on CD Baby. The title is VESTIGES: More Songs About More Stuff. The following 15 songs are from the new CD.
All songs produced by Dean Milano
All songs copyright 2008,(Recording engineer: Scott Braam), except Deep in the Muddy, You Can Be My Pal, You've Been on My Mind So Long, and One Night Woman- copyright 1985 (Recording Engineer: Dennis Gordon)
VESTIGES REVIEWS
Putting emotionally-charged stories to rock music can be tricky, but singer-songwriter Dean Milano does it quite effectively on Vestiges: More Songs About More Stuff. Even “The Scam,” a surprisingly sympathetic portrait of a foreign-based Internet swindler, comes off without a hint of melodrama. Milano is even better on the politically charged “One Golden Moment” and the rollicking ghost story “Rock ‘N’ Roll Detour.” His folksy voice also helps keep Vestiges consistently entertaining.
Terrence Flamm - Illinois Entertainer magazine
Vestiges: More Songs About More Stuff is a wonderful journey through diverse songs that will keep you entertained with every turn in musical style, and will leave you fulfilled at each destination portrayed in Dean's clever lyrics.
Mara Noelle- Click Your Heels Together KFOK Radio, California
One Golden Moment 3:23
Dean Milano: Vocals, guitar and electric bass
Scott Braam: Guitar
Dave Kovnat: Drums
Paul Heinz: Keyboards
Jordi Kleiner: Violin
Inspiration: Why We Fight- a film by Eugene Jarecki
Life is Like a Plastic Model Kit 2:42
Dean Milano: Vocal, guitar and upright bass
Dennis Gordon: mandolin
Inspiration: My 40 year long passion/obssession with plastic model kits.
My Heart is Breaking 2:29
Dean Milano: Vocals, guitar, accordion, electric bass and percussion
Inspiration: The beautiful voices of Irene Kelly and Carol Francis
"Oh my, that is such a pretty song!" - Hazel Dickens, First Lady of bluegrass music.
Ballad of Willie and the Bluegrass Kid 4:18
Dean Milano: Vocals, guitar and electric bass
Dennis
Gordon: Guitar
Dave Kovnat: Drums
Paul Heinz: Keyboards
Inspiration: Carterville, Illinois- Summer of 1973
Sacrificial Lambs 2:38
Dean Milano: Vocals, guitar, electric bass and upright bass
Dennis Gordon: Guitar
Inspiration: Those who would exchange their sanity for their art
Rock 'n Roll Detour 4:01
Dean Milano: Vocals, acoustic and electric guitars and electric bass
Scott Braam: Guitar
Dave Kovnat: Drums
Julie Macarus: Farrah Fawcett vocal
Inspiration: Just day dreaming
Up Wisconsin Way 4:07
Dean Milano: Vocals, guitar and upright bass
Paul Heinz: Keyboards
Inspiration: Home, sweet home
The Scam 3:40
Dean Milano: Vocal and guitar, electric bass
Julie Macarus: Violin
Dave Kovnat: Clock
Inspiration: The World Wide Web
Louisiana Road Trip 2:40
Dean Milano: Vocal, accordion, percussion, electric bass and guitar
Russ Ward: Drums
Jordi Kleiner: Fiddle
Inspiration: A 1972 road trip in a VW Beetle
Google My Number 3:57