Steve Dawson

"There was a time when popular radio was defined by the craftsmanship and raw talent of folks like Al Green, Paul McCartney and Carole King. Steve Dawson would have fit in just fine. As part of Chicago’s criminally under-known Dolly Varden he’s churned out nothing but quality for 15 years, but his second solo outing, I Will Miss The Trumpets and the Drums, carries the timeless inflection of vintage Roy Orbison and George Harrision. Personal, philosophical, and subtly orchestrated, Dawson’s tunes sway with whispers of pedal steel, finely placed echo, and a tasty acoustic / electric guitar combo, all underpinning one of the great pop-rock voices of our time, a set of pipes both instantly appealing and flecked with warm, individual character. Think Ace-era Paul Carrack mixed with Elliot Smith and Big Star’s Chris Bell. Put into service for compositions packed with melody, texture and winning wordplay and you have a classic artist hiding in plain sight" Jambase



"The darkness and agitation that bubble just underneath Dawson's top-shelf melodies and easygoing voice is what has long distinguished his songwriting. The obvious touchstone is the early '70s, when rock cross-pollinated with country on the West Coast (Jackson Browne, Fleetwood Mac, Gram Parsons), Al Green was cutting his best work in Memphis, Tenn., and Van Morrison soaked up both sides of the aisle on albums that belted blue-eyed soul in the context of folk music and jazz."

Mark Guarino, Chicago Daily Herald



DIANE CHRISTIANSEN ANIMATION - soundtrack is a remixed version of 'Sweet Is The Anchor'



I'LL BE RIGHT HERE - release party concert for 'Sweet Is The Anchor' at Schubas, Chicago. With Casey McDonough (bass), Frank Rosaly (drums), Jason Adasiewicz (vibes),

Joel Paterson (pedal steel)