Hey Folks!
I’m thrilled to have a new album out entitled Simplify, recorded at FAME Studio in Muscle Shoals and produced by my brother of soul, Will Kimbrough. It was a gas to create so hopefully that comes through the speakers.
“Dave Zobl writes the kind of songs so comfortable, so immediately accessible, you’ll swear you heard them before. What Zobl actually does is craft simple-sounding songs that remain with you—a man possessed of admirable songwriting chops while traveling well-worn paths, with an elegance impossible to shake, his approach is organic enough to appeal to the casual listener, but those who take the time to get to know the man and his music will discover timeless kernels of wisdom from a skilled craftsman. Like the hardware store up the road, Zobl is remarkably proficient and utterly reliable, a hidden gem in a big box world. My only gripe is he’s not from Texas as I’d sure enjoy covering him in our magazine.”
First off, I want to thank the fine folks at the Colorado Music Hall of Fame for naming the first song on the record "Colorado Girl" one of the 20 best songs ever about Colorado. Wow. I wrote that with my talented pals, KO and Josh and it was especially meaningful given how long I was fortunate to call Denver home. In many ways it still is and always will be, as I don’t think one ever really leaves Colorado. The other artists and bands on the list read like the meat of my music collection including Joe Walsh, Emmylou Harris, Bob Seger, Jimmy Buffett, Poco etc... and of course John Denver, so I’m big-time honored.
As far as the rest of the album, back in 2004, I caught a PBS documentary called "Alone in the Wilderness" about a gent named Dick Proenneke. In the late 1960’s, at the ripe age of 51, Dick moved to a very remote area of Alaska, near the shores of Twin Lakes. His original intention, was to “test his self-reliance” and see if he could survive a year alone in that rugged wilderness. That one year turned into nearly 30 years of resourceful living in the simplicity and solitude of nature. Granted, he worked his ass off to attain and maintain that simplicity but he did so with such a bounce in his step and a glean in his eye, that, as I say in the song, “he was one contented dude.” I’ve watched his movie innumerable times and often just have it on in the background as I find it so inspiring and frankly, comforting. Something about the eloquence of his words, the timbre of his voice and his un-remitting cheerful demeanor just puts me in a good place. Maybe it’s because we’re both from Iowa, but every time I hear him say, “Fried potatoes, onions and fresh fish for dinner. You can’t get better than that,” I find myself smiling. Now, I’m not sure how long I’d last alone in Alaska (does it have WiFi? A wet bar? A George Foreman Grill maybe?) but I will, one day, get up to visit his cabin in Twin Lakes, which the state of Alaska has preserved as a national treasure.
“I’ve always felt good music was from the soul and soul music is a little bit of holding on and a whole lotta letting go. Just like life. Dave found that sweet spot on Simplify.”
In the meantime, the spirit of Dick Proenneke was the inspiration behind the title song and really the whole approach to the record. To that end, I like to think he would have dug the fact we recorded it in Muscle Shoals. That place has some mystical mojo of its own and it was a such a privilege to record there. We cranked out 11 songs in 2 days which can only be done effectively if you are surrounded by a group of world class musicians. Thanks to Will, we certainly had that covered with John Prine’s long-time bass player, Dave Jacques on bass, Rock n’ Roll Hall of Famer Spooner Oldham on keyboards, the groove king, Marty Lynds on Drums/percussion and Will masterfully playing every stringed instrument in his toolbox. We rounded out the record back in Nashville with the addition of Paul Griffith (Percussion on "PBR and Wings"), Phil Maderia (Accordion on "John Prine Sunday Morning") and Jim Hoke and Steve Herman (Horns on "Don’t Miss Out") for a total of 13 songs. Along with "Colorado Girl," I co-wrote another ditty with Josh entitled "Some Place Warm Without a Memory" (thanks Andy Dufresne), "Everything Changes" with mega-talented friends Blair Bodine and John Mason and finally "Harps of Heaven" with Johnny Duke and Will, two of the finest guitar players on the planet. What’s the old saying? You are who you hang with? I’m doing something right.
Dick Pronneke died at the ripe age of 86 on April 20th, 2003. April 20th also happens to be my birthday (4/20, I know, I know) and I was exactly half his age on the day he died. I strive to live with half the zest for life that he did. Cheers to DP.
Keep it simple.
Zobe
“Ever since I started making music with Dave Zobl, back on his 2009 “And So It Goes” album, I’ve been in love with Dave’s soulful, authentic music. We have now finished his latest collection, “Simplify,” recorded at FAME in Muscle Shoals and it’s a thrill—icing on the cake—to hear that “Colorado Girl” has been named one of the Top 20 songs about Colorado by the Colorado Music Hall of Fame. My only question is: Have you heard Dave’s song, “Your Place in Denver?” You may want to make it a 21 song list! It’s always an honor and a pleasure to make music with Dave Zobl, and this makes it all the better. Cheers to you, beautiful Colorado!”
The Album
Colorado Girl
You can take the boy out of Colorado...started this in Denver and finished it with my good pals Josh Martin and Kyndon Oakes in Nashville.
Don't Miss Out On Love
Easy to forget the basics sometimes. Love the horns on this. Thank you Jim Hoke and Steve Hermann.
Isn't It Something
It sure is.
Hillsboro Hardware Store
Classic old school hardware store that I try to support whenever I need something. These stores are the soul of a community.
Someplace Warm Without a Memory
Love me some Shawshank Redemption. “Get busy livin’ or get busy dyin'.” Thank you Andy Dufresne.
Simplify
Thank you Dick Proenneke.
Harps of Heaven
For my Mom and Dad. Wrote this with my pals Johnny Duke and Will Kimbrough.
PBR and Wings
Met this couple visiting from Chicago at the Turnip Truck in Nashville who were celebrating their 50th Anniversary. They were trying to decide what to do. He wanted to go somewhere fancy, she wanted PBR and wings and country music. They've been married for 50 years, which one do you think they chose?
Isabelle
Love Will and Spooner’s interplay on this one. One take.
Everything Changes
Everything does indeed change when somebody breaks your heart. It may not feel like it at the time, but often for the better in the long run. Wrote this with my mega-talented pals Blair Bodine and John Mason.
John Prine Sunday Morning
Never tire of Mr. Prine.
Cheers To You
Love never really ends.
Star
Wrote this one very starry night in San Diego. Recorded it in Will’s awesome garage studio. Just me and a guitar. Keeping it simple.
Musicians
Will Kimbrough: All stringed instruments and background vocals. Also piano on "Cheers to You"
Dave Jacques: Bass on all Tracks
Marty Lynds: Drums and percussion on all tracks except "PBR and Wings"
Spooner Oldham: Keyboards
Paul Griffith: Percussion on "PBR and Wings"
Phil Madeira: Accordion on "John Prine Sunday Morning"
Jim Hoke and Steve Hermann: Horns on "Don’t Miss Out on Love"
Dave Zobl: Lead vocals and rhythm guitar. Solo guitar/vocal on "Star"
Recorded at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
Engineered by John Gifford III: Thank you bro!
Mixed by Todd Robbins: Awesome job Todd. Thanks.
Mastered by Jim Demain: You are the master Jim! Thanks.
Thank You Will Kimbrough:
For your talent, your vision, your work ethic, your sense of humor, your patience and your friendship. I love ya bro.
Special thanks to:
The Big Man. Mom and Dad and all the family that has come before me. I’m sure my love of words and music goes way back to my Bohemian and Irish roots and I’m grateful. Special thanks to my brother John for his unwavering support and sibs Peg, Tom and Nancy for turning me on to such cool music as a kid. The record is dedicated to the late, great Kenny Smith. Keep one on ice for me bud.
