Title: Back Tracks
[Bumped from 6/05.] Courtesy of the OYB label, welcome to the Best of Richard Dobson!
“Back Tracks” gets you 21 great songs for $12 postpaid.
Richard Dobson is one of the gang who sparked up the Austin Texas music scene back in the 70’s along with Townes van Zandt and Guy Clark. He’s a singersongwriter who’s been at it a long time. He says he writes “folk and rocking country music.” I think there’s a pun in there. Anyway, this music is from the 1980’s but it’ll be new to you!
I particularly like “Roughneck Occupation”—how often does the true story of oil rig work in the Gulf of Mexico end up in a hit single?
I note that his memoir, Gulf Coast Boys, which I also sell, also covers his oil rig years — working for Bush, Sr., in fact, who he calls the worst boss of all the rig owners. It also covers his touring with Townes and development in the scene, with housemate Guy Clark. There’s shrimpboat work in there, too. Great read! (Goes with the CD just dandy.)
Note: UK/Euro customers should click the ordering button then also click the extra button below to add an extra $8 to your Shopping Cart to partly offset the excess postage:
Here’s what others have to say about Richard’s music:
“His rhythms and ideas are great. His words are precise and never wasted. He’s one of my favorite songwriters.” –Townes Van Zandt
“Richard Dobson is a great songwriter.” –Steve Earle
“Richard Dobson is one of the best songwriters in Nashville — make that the whole U.S.” –John Prine
“Richard Dobson is the Hemingway of Country Music.” –Nanci Griffith
So…how in the world did I get the chance to sell his music? Good question! A bunch of other labels handle his dozen other recordings, but I consider “BackTracks” to be his greatest hits. He agrees. I saw it wasn’t being sold at Amazon. So I wrote to him and did something about it.
I think there’s something especially cool about artists who work in a couple media. I like selling an artist who offers both book and music. Heavy-hitting art coming at you every which way.
He’s been living in Europe in recent years. Playing concerts, touring, recording. Apparently they like real country music more in Europe than they do here. Tho he always thought he would end up in Mexico. Oh well, every other part of the dream has worked out. Enjoy.
I really like “The Ballad of Robin Winter-Smith”, about a motorcycle stuntman. (“He fell a little bit short / hit the ramp.”)
“Turn in the Barrel” is a hilarious twist on the usual blues—it’s your turn this time, baby. “She Almost Reminds Me of You” is a country classic that trumps the stereotype while sticking to it.
OK, now here’s something different. You can buy a selection of Richard’s songs one at a time with the links below. Or you can listen to free .MP3 samples…
Click on songs below to buy! $1 ea!
Paid downloads are via PayPal, about 4mb. All files .mp3 format. (If a download gets named ‘get.asp’–just rename it as you like with the .mp3 extension.)
