01.23 vinyl podcast - Bonnie Dobson
On this show, I play about the creepiest folk song I’ve ever heard. The track is “Winter’s Going” recorded by Bonnie Dobson on her 1969 self-titled album. Actually, folk purists might argue that the track doesn’t really fall into the genre, as it’s fairly heavily
orchestrated, but Bonnie Dobson has a strong folk pedigree, with plenty of solo albums with acoustic guitar to cement her folk cred. If Google is to be believed, Bonnie Dobson’s lasting legacy comes from another track on this album, “Morning Dew,” which evidently became a standard cover in the repetoire of the Grateful Dead. In my opinion, this says more about the fanaticism of Dead fans than it does about Bonnie Dobson’s recordings.
This self-titled album was her sixth, and her first of two for RCA. “Winter’s Going” is a driving, dark track that builds steadily both musically and lyrically, for its two and a half minute length. I don’t want to give away too much about the story Bonnie tells in the song, but it’s a tragic, plaintive song, with quite a twist at the end.
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February 24th, 2005 at 2:10 pm
Hey cody….
This is one of the greatest tracks I’ve heard in a long time. Here in Detroit’s cold, wet, dirty wintry landscape, this songs seems more than fitting (although, fortunatly, I do not realte to the story directly).
I was wondering how rare, is rare. I really want a copy of this song. I can just picture a fuzzy bluesy rock cover of this track in the vain of the White Stripes or even Blue Cheer. However the subject matter doesn’t necessarily fit male vocals.
February 24th, 2005 at 2:23 pm
Hey Alex,
The album’s not super rare. For example, at the moment there are two copies for sale on eBay. However, both copies are on vinyl. To my knowledge, the album’s never been issued on cd.
Glad you enjoyed it.
March 22nd, 2005 at 11:51 pm
Thanks Cody, you just became my favorite dj. What a great song. Makes me sad to think how many great songs there are out there that I might never hear. I managed to find a few more of her songs:
Milk And Honey
A Taste of Honey
After the Snow
They are all beautiful and moody. I’m floored.
Anyone want to hear a bit of them?: shanejose at yahoo dot youknowwhat
I’ve heard the first 10 seconds of her song “She’s Like A Swallow”
I would give a small, hopefully unnecessary for living, part of my body for the rest of the song.
Thanks again Cody for not letting me go through life without ever hearing her and other brilliant musicians/songs!
March 23rd, 2005 at 2:22 am
Update - Oh I found “She’s Like A Swallow” (the song, not the album). It seems to be one of the few that have been put on cd. It’s on “The Prestige/Folklore Years, Vol. 1: All Kinds Of Folks” and can be found at eMusic or Amazon.
Neato!
May 13th, 2005 at 9:56 am
HI, this song is the greatest one i’ve ever heard till now!!! Thanks for providing us with that tune…
153rd_soul
October 7th, 2005 at 4:46 pm
Great track! Love the song and the arrangement. Is any of Bonnie’s music available on CD?