Music review: Dave Dobbyn, A Slice of Heaven - 40 Years of Hits

Dave Dobbyn.

Household name is a phrase that's often grossly overused. Not on this occasion. As he draws in sell-out crowds on the tour accompanying the release of this celebratory album, no doubt Dave Dobbyn will also be wistfully reflecting on the first 40 years of a stunningly successful music career, one that's unique in New Zealand history.

Dave decided to be a songwriter when he was 18, but who would have thought, 40 years on, he would have such a successful catalogue to his name.

From the heady days with first Th'Dudes and DD Smash, to the long and winding road as a performer in his own right, Dave Dobbyn has been relentless in creating word and music perfect pop songs.

Twenty-one songs make up the line-up on Slice of Heaven - 40 years of Hits. From the 1979 Dudes classic Be Mine Tonight, DD Smash and Magic What She Do, to more recent incarnations of those early days and 2009 versions of Whaling and Outlook for Thursday.
After that it's the Dave Dobbyn show with Loyal, You oughta be in Love, Language, Lap of the Gods, Love You Like I Should and Maybe the Rain.

Dave Dobbyn has also demonstrated an equally effective approach to more sentimental and ballad-based hits, among them It Dawned on Me and Beside You. Not forgetting his memorable theme song Slice of Heaven from the Footrot Flats movie, and what is now probably our unofficial Kiwi anthem, Welcome Home.

All these and more from undoubtedly New Zealand's most successful and revered music talent for 40 years, and still going strong. Take a bow Dave Dobbyn.

Rating: 5/5 stars