Dennis has been writing songs and performing his music for over 50 years. His themes display a passionate commitment to justice, peace, spirituality, and his daughters — along with many unusual and haunting love songs.
Dennis has performed in every major, and most minor folk venues in the Northeast, along with larger stages such as Sanders Theatre in Harvard Square, Cambridge, and Boston's outdoor Hatch Shell. He has toured cross-country several times, including appearing on national radio programs such as the Studs Terkel show in Chicago, Jim Post's concert series in the same city, and NPR. In the Northeast, he has played at clubs from Massachusetts' Club Passim and Iron Horse, to Greenwich Village's Bottom Line and Speakeasy. Nationally, he has toured through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, New York, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, New Jersey, Maryland, Rhode Island, Washington D.C., Washington state, and New Mexico. He has appeared on stage with many of folk music's legends, including Pete Seeger, Bonnie Raitt, Patti Larkin, Joni Mitchell, Richie Havens, and Tom Paxton. (Scroll down for quotes from those who have worked with Dennis or heard him perform.)
In May of 2011, Dennis accepted the position of booking manager for Harvard Square's Nameless Coffeehouse, the oldest all-volunteer coffeehouse in the United States. In October of 2011, the Nameless entered its 45th season — Dennis had played at the Nameless for the prior 36 consecutive seasons. Many of Dennis' works have been placed in the Smithsonian Institute (www.si.edu).
Red Convertible
The Last Word
The Last Trailer Park in Boston
Tragic Happy Ending
Ecstacy Called Love
Dennis' new band, Dennis Pearne and the Elastic Waste Band, is the current incarnation of the band by that name that Dennis has run since the late 1980's, varying from 2 to 11 players at different times. The current configuration consists of Dennis on 6-string, 12-string, vocals, and harp, Lillian Hastie on drums and percussion, and Michael St. Germain on fretless bass. Together, they take contemporary folk music sounds and textures into new and unexpected territories, with a variety of Dennis's original songs, a few carefully chosen covers, and surprising arrangements of traditional songs.
For bookings, please call Dennis at 617 877 8194
“Dennis Pearne addresses contemporary life in an entertaining, provocative, and musically exciting manner, representing the groundswell of tradition and idealism found in the best of folk music.” - Frank Hamilton (The Weavers).
“Pearne's versatility of styles and instrumental techniques has made him one of the most sought after musicians in the area…has been featured as musical backup for the majority of new folk artists in the area.” - Hingham Mariner
“Fine, up-and-coming singer/songwriter” - Jeff McLaughlin, Boston Globe (1983)
“Disturbing but powerful songs — everyone should hear them” - Folk legend Bob McCarthy, on CD “Whispers of the Spirit”
“You are my favorite bass player.” Chris Chandler to Dennis, after recording his “As Seen On NO TV” CD (produced by Rachel Faro)
“(Richie) Havens was joined by local studio musicians assembled by local guitarist Dennis Pearne and including flute and percussion…a stirring 80-minute set.” - Boston Globe (show at The Channel, Boston)
“Personal reflections and deep political convictions give this solo album a cohesive, autobiographical tone. Sounding like a cross Between Country Joe McDonald and Neil Young, Pearne balances angry protest songs with romantic ballads.” - Craig Harris, Boston Globe (On “Whispers of the Spirit”)
In addition to the original works below, Dennis has made numerous appearances on the “Fast Folk Musical Magazine” record series, and other regional folk compilations. Dennis has over 100 credits as a session musician on bass, fretless bass, acoustic guitar, and vocals — including Mariah Sangiolo, Jim Infantino, Ellis Paul, Betsy Rose, Ruth Pelham, and Ben Tousley. Many of Dennis' works have been placed in the Smithsonian (www.si.edu).
2005 “Woodwork at the Peace Abbey” Full length CD by full five-piece band. 10 live cuts, 8 studio cuts. Woodwork Music #003.
Whispers Of The Spirit
Earth Meets Fire
The Closest Thing To Normal
2003 “We Ain't No One to Talk” CD-single — two versions, rock and folk. Copyright Dennis Pearne, 2003.
2002 “Songs of the Tao” 8-song CD. Verses of Lao Tsu's “Tao Te Ching” put to music by Dennis Pearne, and recorded by Dennis with the full Woodwork band. Woodwork Music #002.
2000 “Woodwork Live” Full length CD by 5-piece band. Woodwork Music # 001.
Fractions Of An Email Love Affair
Water Song
These four CD's display the spiritual bent in Dennis songwriting. However, be prepared for some hard-hitting social commentary too.
1993 “Mother Earth is Choking,” b/w “Carol's Song.” Two-song cassette single. Good Company Productions # GCP019.
1989 “Whispers of the Spirit” Full length CD of mostly original songs by Dennis Pearne. Good Company Productions # GCP009.
Dim Brightness
Returning
Like Water
1986 “Ecstacy Called Love,” b/w “Gentle and Strong,” R&R 45 RPM single with band “Lion-in-the-Road,” including Marienne Kreitlow, www.marienne.com, Good Company Productions #GCP008.
1983 “Rising Tide” Full length LP with band of the same name. Good Company Productions # GCP001.
Second Chance
Contact Dennis at dpearne@aol.com to request copies of items on this page. For “Songs of the Tao” also see Amazon.com.
A Special Honor...Woodwork, officially named House Band of the Peace Abbey, Sherborn, Massachusetts, 2005.
www.rickgoldin.com making a hit out of Rick Goldin's gender-busting song, "Act Like a Man"
On March 7th, 1985, Dennis was locked in a hot attic room, with a make-shift recording studio by Jack Hardy for six hours in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, and was made to overdub bass parts and some lead guitar parts on almost every song of the 2-LP Boston Edition of the Fast Folk Musical Magazine, even though Dennis had never heard most of the songs.
From the CD "Reverse Speed" with singer/songwriter Ellis Paul:
New Light On Your Halo
This Old Car
From the CD “Live at the Masquerade Ball” with singer/songwriter Dan Cloutier (photo above)
If I Was Rembrandt
Jeremiah
The Great Molasses Flood
Performing with daughter, Sophie Rich, at the Nameless Coffeehouse, Harvard Square, Cambridge.
"I've been in show business for 40 years, and my 14-year-old daughter has already left me in the dust..." - Dennis
Dennis
Annapurna
Dan Cloutier
Andrew Greene
Katie Frasinelli
Above photos by Jon McAuliffe
Dan
Dan & Kim Jennings
Dennis & Dan
Dan & Kim Jennings
Dan & the Band (other guitarist is Ricardo Barraza)
Dan's packed house
Above photos by Michael Moran
Ben Styer, great opening act
Dan Hat
Dennis short pants
Dan and the Band
Above photos by Jon McAuliffe
