Bonnie Dobson (born November 13, 1940, in Toronto, Canada)[ "Bonnie Dobson". AllMusic Biography by Richie Unterberger] is a Canadian folk music songwriter, singer, and guitarist, most known in the 1960s for composing the songs "I'm Your Woman" and "Morning Dew". The latter, augmented by Tim Rose (with a controversial co-writing credit), became a melancholy folk rock standard that has been covered by numerous artists.
Early life
Dobson was born in Toronto.
[Dick Weissman. Which Side Are You On?: An Inside History of the Folk Music Revival in America. A&C Black; January 1, 2006. . p. 100–.] Her father was a union organizer and opera lover. Her early music influences included
Paul Robeson and
The Weavers.
Career
Dobson became part of the active folk-revival scene in Toronto, performing in local coffee houses and at the Mariposa Folk Festival. She later moved to the United States where she performed in coffee houses across the country
[ " Bonnie Dobson Interview". Rhythms, by Iain Patience, June 10, 2016] and recorded several albums, including 1962's
Bonnie Dobson at Folk City, which contained her song "
Morning Dew".
[Jason Schneider. Whispering Pines: The Northern Roots of American Music... from Hank Snow to the Band. ECW Press; December 15, 2010. . p. 1–.]
Dobson has consistently questioned Tim Rose's right to a co-writing credit for "Morning Dew" (stating that Rose first heard it as sung by Fred Neil), whose version appeared on his 1964 album Tear Down The Walls with Dobson credited as the composer.
After returning to Toronto in 1967 she continued to perform in coffee houses as well programs on the CBC.
After retiring in the 1980s, Dobson returned to performance in 2007 in London with Jarvis Cocker.
She performed with Combined Services Entertainment, and was one of the last performers at RAF Salalah, Oman.
Cover versions of "Morning Dew"
According to the website
SecondHandSongs, "Morning Dew" has been covered by more than 70 artists, including several versions as recently as the early 2020's. Among those who have recorded the song are
Fred Neil,
Ralph McTell, Lulu, Nazareth,
Grateful Dead, Jeff Beck Group,
Robert Plant, Long John Baldry,
DEVO, Einstürzende Neubauten, and
Gregg Allman,
Duane Allman, and
Butch Trucks (of The Allman Brothers Band).
Discography
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1961: Bonnie Dobson Sings 'She's Like a Swallow' and Other Folk Songs (Prestige International 13021; Prestige/Folklore Records 14015 1963)
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1962: Dear Companion (Prestige International 13031; Prestige/Folklore Records 14007 1963)
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1962: Bonnie Dobson at Folk City live (Prestige International 13057; Prestige/Folklore Records 14018 1963) (featuring "Morning Dew")
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1964: Bonnie Dobson Sings a Merry-Go-Round of Children's Songs (Prestige International 13064)
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1964: Hootenanny with Bonnie Dobson (Prestige Folklore 14018)
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1964: For the Love of Him (Mercury MG-20987/SR-60987)
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1969: Bonnie Dobson (RCA Victor LSP-4219) (I Got Stung #82 CanPop / #7 CanCon - August 1969)
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1970: Good Morning Rain (RCA Victor LSP-4277) (Good Morning Rain - recommended CanCon May 1970)
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1972: Bonnie Dobson (Argo UK Records ZFB 79) (featuring "Land of the Silver Birch")
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1976: Morning Dew (Polydor UK Records 2383 400)
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2014: Take Me for a Walk in the Morning Dew (Hornbeam UK Records HBR 0003)
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2025:’Dreams’ Bonnie Dobson and the Hanging Stars (Loose Music UK VJCD291)
External links
