Pascal Dennis takes us back to Detroit with “Once Upon A Time In Detroit City”, a song built around the story of a war veteran returning to a city he once loved and finding it struggling. It is a simple idea with plenty of emotion behind it, especially knowing how personal Detroit is to Dennis, who worked in the auto industry there. The song also reflects his affection for the old industrial cities of America. Dennis has spoken about his love for places such as Detroit, Cleveland, and Buffalo, cities where people know that life can be hard and that nothing is guaranteed. People get up, go to work, and keep doing what needs to be done. That sense of resilience gives the story at the heart of the song a real human quality.
Dennis and producer David Logan are also looking back to the R&B they grew up with. Their love for that era comes across in the musical direction, with memories of songs such as “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg”, “My Girl”, “It’s Not Unusual” and “Bright Side of the Street” helping to paint a picture of another time. Dennis remembers music pouring out of places like Christos Billiards on summer afternoons, with sunlight streaming through the windows. For him, those songs were connected to hope and the possibility of a better life. I really enjoyed the personal side of this release. Dennis is not simply singing about Detroit in the abstract; he is drawing on a city that was part of his own life.
I also like the connection between the old R&B influence and the story of someone returning home. It gives the song a sense of history while keeping the focus on people and their memories. “Once Upon A Time In Detroit City” is a thoughtful addition to Pascal Dennis’s growing body of work with David Logan and the Crazy Angels. The band brings together musicians who are students of David’s at Rome’s San Luigi and Santa Cecilia music schools, adding another personal connection to the project.
If this kind of heartfelt songwriting and classic R&B influence speaks to you, make sure to follow Pascal Dennis and keep up with his latest music. Add “Once Upon A Time In Detroit City” to your playlist, give the lyric video a listen, and spend some time with the song’s story. It is the kind of release that deserves a place among your personal favorites, especially if you enjoy music that connects memories, real places and the people who call them home.
