Shy Dog

Kurt Neumann | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 25, 2000)
• Original Release Date: July 25, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Oarfin Records
• ASIN: B00004W43X
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #285,435 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

A founding member of the Bodeans. Released 7 CD's on Warner / Slash / Reprise Records. Has sold over 2 million discs. Rolling Stone magazine called the BODEANS 1986 CD the "debut of the year".

On August 20, 1998, the bottom dropped out of my world. After several years of bad luck and personal struggles I had found myself in a place of peace and simplicity. Early that morning I was to take an ironic step forward into the world of big lessons. Lessons on life, love, and loss. Lessons that don't come easy.For this one step came down hard in a dip in the ground where one large, silent, adult rattlesnake lay camouflaged in the tall grass. Sensing movement under my foot, I jumped forward with a jolt of adrenaline. With four dogs in front of me, I turned to look back for my oldest and truest companion, “Shy Dog”. It was like one of those slow motion moments, like you see in movies. I remember that even though it all took place in a matter of seconds, I still had time for my heart to drop in terror. Not for myself, but rather as if I knew all too well what was about to happen. Shy, unknowingly, followed forward. The snake, following it’s natural instincts, lunged. Shy moved to escape, but with almost the absence of sound the poison met his leg. Shy’s cry suspended my hopes of escaping the inevitable and propelled me forward into reality.I had Shy in my truck and to the vet in fifteen minutes, where I was assured that, although the fang marks in Shy’s leg were approximately three inches apart, there was nothing to worry about. “Dog’s rarely die from snake bites” said the doc. I was foolish. “Take him home and keep an eye on him.” I did. Four hours later, Shy could no longer bend his leg which was now swollen to twice it’s normal size. At one point, he dragged himself outside and I noticed drops of blood. Immediately we were back in the truck to vet number two. During the drive, I felt more scared than ever before in my life. I prayed to God - Guardian Angels - and all things good and powerful in the universe. I begged - and pleaded - and promised. The doctor said that Shy was in shock. He shaved the hair away from the inside of Shy’s leg to reveal that the venom was now eating it’s way through the skin of his leg. I got ill. But, Shy was just staring off at the wall as if looking at someone - or something. The doctor assured me that although things looked bad - Shy would be ok. A damaged leg at most. He kept Shy for the night and said he would be much better by the next day. I was foolish. I went home thinking full well that we had gotten there in time. And my best friend was going to make it.The next morning one phone call would put a quick and painful end to all such naive thoughts. Shy was gone. And I hadn’t been there in his last moments - scared - hurt - wondering where I was.

We all have a dark or sad story to tell in our lives. One that stays with us forever. Losing Shy is mine.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kurt Neumann "Shy Dog", October 19, 2000

By 

valleygirlrockstar (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shy Dog (Audio CD)

Shy Dog is an amazing masterpiece of music. Kurt is brilliant. If you like the BoDeans you will love this. If you appreciate creative, moving thought provoking music, you will love this. I bought this CD when it was on Kurt's own label. Now, I plan to get the recently released version on Oarfin records. There isn't a bad song on Shy Dog. Kurt sings like an angel. The song "Hopes" is the best song I think I've ever heard.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's all good, November 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Shy Dog (Audio CD)

This album starts good and never fades. In fact, I like it more each time I listen to it. There are so many great songs, great lines, and Kurt's performance has a lot of depth and feeling. A great addition to your collection if you are a BoDeans fan, but it goes in a different direction and adds another dimension to the BoDeans sound.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great debut effort, September 18, 2000

By 

srob1024 "justplainbob" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shy Dog (Audio CD)

For the last 15 years, Kurt Neumann has written and performed some truly inspired music with the BoDeans. His solo debut, "Shy Dog," continues the trend. The sound (at times sparse yet intimate, at times rollicking rock) is reminiscent of the BoDeans' third release, "Home." "Perfect Blue Sky" and "Like I Do" are great numbers, and title track is a poignant dedication to his late "best friend." A strong debut from end-to-end; the only fault is a throwaway curse at the beginning of "And Then This." All in all, a treat both for long-time BoDeans fans as well as anyone who can appreciate well-written songs.