Bonnie Dobson – s/t (RCA 1969)

Bonnie Dobson is a Canadian folky singer-songwriter that started already in the early 60’s. This, her self titled album, was her sixth. It features lots of charming and VERY 60’s sounding songs full of orchestration. It’s dated for sure, and it’s strictly more pop than folk, but I’ll still review it – as I like the album very much! The best known song here is ‘Morning Dew’, that has since been covered by practically everyone. The original is all you need to hear. She sings with utter charm and passion on this one, as well as all the other songs here. I like her voice, that is tender and powerful at the same time. My favourite song on the album, is probably the very last one, ‘Winter’s Going’ – which is intense both musically and not at least lyrically, as it turns into this really macabre female revenge-thing! ‘Time’ and ‘Rainy Windows’ are other gems. Very melancholy sounding, and with great melodies. The opening song, ‘I Got Stung’, is on the other hand very uplifting and catchy. Overall this is a very solid album. It could never have been made in another time than in the late 60’s, but that’s fine by me. Not essential then, but certainly worth owning for those who cannot get enough of orchestal melancholy pop/folk with big melodies. I also like the simplistic but beautiful cover, which really suits the music.