Lonesome Highway (Ireland)
This release completes a hat-trick of albums, referred to as the “pandemic trilogy” by Steve Dawson and all released within the last twelve months. Gone, Long Gone appeared in March last year and it created the blueprint for what has turned out to be a thrilling and productive time in Dawson’s career. Phantom Thread followed in August last and was an instrumental album with eleven songs of timeless quality played by a select group of players that just merged seamlessly into a cohesive whole. The quality of playing across the three albums has been of the highest level and the featured musicians compliment Dawson so perfectly in the beautiful playing.
Alberta songwriter Matt Patershuk has worked with Dawson over past years and five albums appeared as a result of their collaboration. The duo have developed a song-writing partnership over the course of this album trilogy and four of the tracks featured here are a strong example of success achieved in their shared talents.
Dawson also covers songs from Ian Tyson (Long Time To Get Old), Bobby Charles (Small Town Talk), Cowboy Jack Clement (Guess Things Happen That Way), and John Hartford (Let Him Go Mama). There are two interpretations of traditional songs, House Carpenter and Singin’ the Blues, both of which highlight the scope of inventive playing by the trusted musicians that Steve has called upon from past projects. Regular studio stalwarts Gary Craig and Jeremy Holmes provide the always inventive rhythm section with Chris Gestrin contributing on all manner of keyboards. They are augmented on various tracks by the drumming and percussive skills of Jay Bellerose (five tracks), with Fats Kaplin and Tim O’Brien guesting on mandolin. Vocals are ably handled by Dawson himself and Alison Russell guests on three songs, as does Dawson’s daughter Casey. Kevin McKendree adds organ and piano on one track and Keri Latimer appears as guest vocalist on two songs. The horn section of Jerry Cook (baritone sax), Dominic Conway (tenor sax) and Malcolm Aiken (trumpet) make a great impression on Small Town Talk and also returning are the excellent Ben Plotnick (violin, viola) and Kaitlyn Raitz (cello) on the standout Hemmingway.
Mentioning all these players is important in the context that four separate locations were used in bringing the overall sound together. Various recordings were captured in Los Angeles, Nashville, Toronto and Vancouver on a remote basis and it is a huge tribute to Dawson that he makes the disparate parts blend so easily together. The production is vibrant and filled with great moments where you just want to hit the repeat button and experience the brilliance one more time. There are two instrumental tracks, Waikiki Stonewall Rag and Singin’ the Blues, both of which perfectly illustrate the immense talent of Dawson across a range of guitars, proving beyond all doubt that he is indeed the king of the strings, no matter what form they may take! A vital record and one that breaks through all the confines of musical constraints.