Digital Rodeo

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About Neil Dobson / Fabulous Hats
Neil Dobson was a regular on the Toronto club circuit for years with various original bands. "I go back a ways in Toronto, we played Larry’s Hideaway a lot -such a classic venue- I met Joe Strummer in there one time..." He has done countless sessions across Canada for artists from around the world; on stage and in studio."I think the most interesting studio gig I did was with a Tabla drum artist from Sri Lanka who wanted Clapton-esque lead work on some traditional style Indian music, pretty wild gig.." In 1993,he co-wrote a song w/Chris Kearney and Scott Lane called "A Letter From Sarajevo" to help with Red Cross efforts during the war in Sarajevo. Song and video were produced with many Canadian artists singing/playing including Tom Cochrane , Ian Thomas ,Rik Emmett,Murray MacLaughlin, Steve Negus, Sylvia Tyson, Molly Johnson and others. And now this...Fabulous Hats !! . "Well I like a lot of styles of music and the "Fabulous Hats" name comes from the old saying "He wears many hats" . I guess musically, I like to wear a few.."



The Fabulous Hats’ debut CD features twelve originals with a classic rock vibe, almost as though it is an artifact from a lost 1970s recording session with Gram Parsons and Keith Richards with Dick Dale chiming in on the odd track. Chief songwriter Neil Dobson weaves a number of influences through the self-penned tunes and while he doesn’t reinvent the wheel here, he does add new rims and flashy hubcaps to give the disc’s classic sound some spark. The opening track, “Where’s My Yesterday,” already sounds like a hit for country radio; it’s as catchy and lyrically deft as anything on the country charts while “Shake Shake” and “Rainclouds Burst” both have infectious choruses that stick in the ear long after the CD player has been switched off. The wistful quality to the lyrics and vocals of “I Fall for You,” is nicely offset by the raucous surf rock inspired “Dick’s Descent” in this record that wears its varied inspirations proudly on its sleeve.

Richard Crouse - National movie critic (Canada AM, Rogers Television’s “Reel to Real”)


I would be remiss if I didn't tell you how much I enjoyed the Music...

-Alannah Myles (Black Velvet)


...really enjoyed what I've heard so far - lovely rockin' and great mood!

- Elliott Randall (Former Steely Dan Guitarist and studio legend)