Steve Dawson
(Black Hen Music)
Steve Dawson falls within the same realms as Buddy Miller, T-Bone Burnett or a fellow Canadian with whom he's often compared, Colin Linden. All four men hold several skill sets in common - they're both players and producers, and multi-talented musicians at that. In addition, they each take a traditional tack- in Dawson's case, it's rooted in an equal mix of blues, folk and roots music.
Not surprisingly then, Dawson conveys a fairly freewheeling approach here, his tangled rhythms and shuffled pacing making for a generally laid back pastiche. He struts confidently on a song like "Nightshade," but tends to meander when it comes to other offerings, "The Side of the Road" and "We Still Won the War" in particular. At times, in fact, the juxtaposition between the arrangements and the lyrics seem somewhat out of sync. For example, the conflicted state of circumstances described in "We Still Won the War" and the weary narrative that accompanies "The Side of the Road" are muted by the sprawling circumstance that surround them. Fortunately, matters come into clearer focus with "Have That Chance," a soulful ballad boasting a searing guitar solo, and "Walk On," a bluesy saunter similar in style to JJ Cale. Yet, while the playing is undeniably impressive, many of the songs simply lack traction and fail to ignite. Unfortunately, that makes Nightshade a little less luminescent.
DOWNLOAD: "We Still Won The War," "Have That Chance" LEE ZIMMERMAN
