Steve Dawson - Eyes Closed, Dreaming (2023)

'Eyes Closed, Dreaming' is, without reservation, a pinnacle and career highlight for the Nashville-based Canadian musician.

With its beautiful melodies, inspired instrumentation and soulful vocal performances, Dawson's newest music soars effortlessly over the very high bar he's set for himself over the past three decades. As usual, Steve has called on a bunch of his very talented pals, selected from a veritable who's who of North American roots musicians, to help him bring the new songs to life. His old 'Birds of Chicago' partner, Allison Russell contributed some very stirring vocal support on three tracks, while Nashville legends Fats Kaplin and Tim O'Brien keep pace with Dawson, playing mandolin and various strings on several of the album's most compelling compositions. Legendary LA drummer Jay Bellerose's signature sound takes the rhythms to a higher level on five tracks with the rock-solid house band of Gary Craig (drums), Jeremy Holmes (bass) as well as Chris Gestrin and Kevin McKendree (keyboards) guiding the music into some very thrilling territory and holding the course for the rest of the musicians. 'Eyes Closed, Dreaming' is rounded out with adventurous string arrangements from Ben Plotnik (viola/violin) and Kaitlyn Raitz (cello) as well as a Stax-inspired horn section, with Jerry Cook, Dominic Conway and Malcolm Aiken. Additional vocal textures were skillfully added by Keri Latimer, and Steve's daughter Casey Dawson. Beautifully recorded, sensitively arranged and played, 'Eyes Closed, Dreaming', is like a master class in composition, melody and counterpoint. From beginning to end, it is quite simply stunning.