Music of the West
By Hugh McLennan
Dec-Jan 2008
Dancing On The Wind
Fred Dobirstein
It was the summer of ‘06 at the Ivan Daines Country Music Picknic that I had the distinct pleasure of sitting down with Fred and Shirley Dobirstein to do a little strumming and singing. Fred sang us a song he’d recently written called Wild Horses. I was really captivated by the haunting melody and emotional lyrics and was hoping he’d record it. We didn’t have to wait too long; Wild Horses is one of eleven good tracks on his latest release.
It seems that every song Fred writes has a great story behind it. Irvin’s song (Men and Horses) is a world picture of mountain trails, pack strings, campfires and saddle pals, in three quarter time with Fred’s big rich soaring baritone voice caressing the words over a tasteful arrangement under Ben Crane’s expert guidance.
Whistling Wings is the best waterfowl hunting song I’ve ever heard. It was inspired by a lot of duck hunting trips Fred took with his dad. Besides the great story, with Lucas Welsh’s sweet twin fiddles, this one is a terrific dance song.
The only songs Fred didn’t write were Mary Dear and the Stan Jones classic, Ghost Riders in the Sky.
If you’re old enough to remember the original hit version by Vaughn Monroe, you’ll probably notice that Fred’s voice has quality somewhat similar to Monroe. You’ll also hear some fine acoustic guitar from Fred himself on this track. Close your eyes and listen to Porcupine Hills, and you’ll be saddled up and riding the ridges among the whispering pines.
Another track I should mention is Cowboy Morning Church. It was a neat surprise to seen in the liner notes that this track was inspired by the Red Deer Mane Event Cowboy Church Service that Mule Man Steve Edwards and my buckskin mare Lucky and I took part in.
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