DOBBY DOBSON: Press

Dobby Dobson, Freddie McGregor and The Clarendonians were the three starring acts at "Starz 'R' Us", held at the Mas Camp, Sunday night. The now popular event saw a full Mas Camp with Gumption Band providing backup for the night.

After The Jamaicans' Ba Ba Boom opened the show, Dobbie Dobson, his voice showing very little change despite the years, had oldies lovers hanging on to his every note. Rekindling memories during his short stint with classics such as Loving Pauper, Seems to Me and Sweet Dreams and an accapella gospel chorus, he had them begging for more.

When he returned to do Muriel, the crowd was thoroughly prepared for a night of reminiscing with old hits.

Dobby sings songs of love on new CD


Friday, January 28, 2005



DOBSON...singing some of his great tracks from the past on his newly released, Lovers' Prayer CD.
Dobby Dobson is now a born again Christian. In fact, he has already released two gospel CDs and is currently working on a third. But, he says he reserves the right to sing those secular songs which have made him a favourite of sentimental music lovers over the years.

"My concept of Christianity is a change of lifestyle, yes, but when I accepted Christ and said I was going to give up the bad things in my life, I meant the womanising, the drinking, the drug use, the bad things. I never considered singing a love song a negative thing," he explained.

So it comes as no real surprise that the veteran reggae crooner is back on the record shelves singing some of his great tracks from the past on his newly released, Lovers' Prayer CD.

The new album comes courtesy of Danny Breakenridge's South Florida-based Upstairs Music and Lyrics Institute, and includes tracks like Jerry Wexler's Warm Your Heart, Willie Nelson's Funny How Time Slips Away, Sam Cooke's Midnight Blues, Smokey Robinson's Love I Can Feel, Ben E King's Don't Play That Song, and the Wallace Brothers' Lovers' Prayer, the title track.

Interestingly, it also has an input of domestic songwriters including Keith "Bob Andy" Anderson, John Holt, Dobson and Breakenridge and a very patriotic song, Greetings From Jamaica (Breakenridge / Dobson /Hall), a product of Breakenridge's Lyrics Institute.

A fine group of musicians were involved in the project, including saxophonist Tony Greene, guitarist Dwight Pinkney, bassist Keith Francis, pianist Mallory Williams and trombonist Calvin "Bubbles" Cameron.

"God is love," says Dobson, "but there is nothing wrong with love between a man and a woman, a boy for a girl, as the case may be. It's all a matter of how it is done. I always sing about clean love, man for woman, husband for wife."

"I have been to Christian weddings and I hear songs like Endless Love and similar songs being played. Love is a part of life so, therefore, I beg to differ with all those who may ask, 'how come you still singing love songs?' it's my job, you know. It's what pays my mortgage; it's what puts food on my table. That's what I do; I don't do anything that's illegal." However, he admits that he is more focused on recording gospel songs now.

"I am dedicating my focus to singing songs about Jesus Christ, because I am a born again Christian and I must extol my love for Christ in everything I do," he pointed out. Dobson says that Lovers' Prayer was recorded prior to his first gospel CD, Those Days Are Gone.

He has recorded a second one since, Tomorrow.

Dobson's biggest and most memorable hit was the ballad That Wonderful Sound, a cover which was produced by Rupie Edwards, his former Virtues Band colleague. Other major hits included Loving Pauper and Seems to Me I'm Losing.

Dobson recalls that his earliest hit, as a member of the duo, Chuck and Dobby, was Sweeter Than Honey, which was produced by Edward Seaga on his WIRL label.

Dobson, a graduate of Kingston College and CAST held a number of managerial positions in local industry before settling in the United States where is now settled in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

High drama in Montego Bay
published: Monday | November 27, 2006

Heather Henry, Gleaner Writer


Eyes closed, this female patron rocks to the tune of Dobby Dobson's 'Loving Pauper' during The Manhattans in concert at Club Inferno, Montego Bay, last Friday. - Photo by Claudine Housen/Staff Photographer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Scores of patrons, some of them from as far as St. Elizabeth, braved the inclement weather to watch soul legends, The Manhattans, perform at the Club Inferno, in Rose Hall, Montego Bay, last Friday night.

Decked out in suits, sequins, stiletto heels and armed with sweaters and umbrellas, the patrons got a rude awakening when the show that was slated to commence at 9: 00 p.m. began two hours and five minutes late, prompting a barrage of insults at the show's MC, Delroy Sterling.

One woman, after throwing a string of expletives at Sterling, was told, "Miss you are too pretty to be cursing."

While a male patron gave out: "A wah kinda dolly house ting dis!"

The largely-mature crowd, however, managed to muster some patience and soon the buzz of chatter could be heard interspersed with periodic bouts of laughter. One couple even went as far as to catch a 'cat nap' while waiting for the show to begin.

The show opened at about 11: 05 p.m. with Jimmy Reid. He was followed by Lieutenant Brooksie whose vibrant presentation of I See Love In Your Eyes mustered some crowd support.

However, it was not until veteran singer Dobby Dobson took the stage, that the show really began as Dobson with his cool style delighted the ladies with songs Loving Pauper,Sweet Dreams, Seems to me I'm losing, Love you too much and Muriel.

The tempo was kicked up a notch when One Third hit the stage with songs Homely Girl, Africa and Beres Hammond's Step Aside Now. Rising star runner-up Nickeisha Barnes received a fair response with her performance of Tanya Stephens' These Streets.

She was followed by 'the grand lady', Dorothy Moore, whose I Believe You and Misty Blue had the audience rocking. Then came George with Left with a Broken Heart.

At about 2: 30 a.m., it was time for the main act and the crowd was ready and rearing to go when the impeccably-dressed quartet took the stage, all grouses with organisers, Princess Promotions, went through the window.

Dressed in blue suits with lavender vests, The Manhattans, who performed for an hour, had the audience eating out of their hands from the first bar of the first song. Songs such as Shining Star, We never danced to A Love Song and the 1976 hit Kiss and Say Goodbye had the crowd singing along, with the odd female scream here and there. All in all, The Manhattans in concert in Montego Bay was full of laughs, high drama and great entertainment.

DOBBY ROCKS PATTERSON, NEW JERSEY.....

Patterson, New Jersey was on fire last night with an electrifying performance by the legendary Dobby Dobson. The renowned singer/songwriter was the featured surprise guest performer at The Caribbean Empowerment Organization's annual banquet. Mr. Dobson delighted his audience young and old with a musical review of his vintage tunes and more recent gospel songs. He illuminated the ballroom with high energy singing and had the crowd dancing in a musical frenzy as he was rocking out the tunes they all love to hear.

The audience was at first, pleasantly surprised with a heartfelt ,soulful delivery from Mr. Dobson's three Gospel albums; namely, 'Those Days are gone', 'Tomorrow', and 'He Knows My Heart'. Fans were truly touched and inspired to hear Mr. Dobson's testimonies of his journey to become saved as he urged them to "seek Jesus because tomorrow may be too late". This was appropriately reinforced with the compelling song titled 'Tomorrow'. As the audience listened in awe, some were moved to tears. Though the gospel selections were performed during dinner, hardly anyone was eating; instead they digested spiritual food from selections such as "Tomorrow" "Take time for Jesus", "Thank you Lord", and "I must have the Savior with me" to name a few.

Shortly after dinner Mr. Dobson continued to excite the audience with some of his traditional classics that made him famous; "Muriel, "Butterfly", Sweet Dreams" 'Loving Pauper" and what he affectionately calls Guyana's second national anthem, "Walk away from love". Patterson's residents enjoyed a rare treat as they danced to the familiar songs they grew up hearing many years ago. One enthusiastic fan commented, "other songs may come and go, but these classics can never be replaced, and no one can sing them like our Dobby". Another stated,"I love Dobby, he's amazing,... he's certainly outdone himself tonight!" Organization member and Master of Ceremonies Tony Snape, added, "although, we've had this banquet every year, this is the most fun we've had,... we would be hard pressed to top this magnificent performance next year".