Not only is Canadian roots magnate Steve Dawson a sought-after producer and the founder of Black Hen Music, he's also a busy songwriter. His latest album is called Rattlesnake Cage, and it's due out on February 18 through Black Hen. Its release will be followed by an extensive Canadian tour.
This all-instrumental guitar album was recorded using a single vintage tube microphone, which had previously been hanging from the ceiling in an old Detroit theatre. He played various acoustic guitars, including six-strings, 12-strings, a National tricone steel guitar and a Weissenborn Hawaiian guitar. Influences apparently include the American Primitive sound of John Fahey, Peter Lang and Leo Kottke, plus Reverend Gary Davis and Mississippi John Hurt.
A press release notes that these "simple and unadorned recordings" will sound good if listened to at a low volume in the background or if examined to with careful scrutiny. While Dawson is a technically accomplished guitarist, these 11 tracks apparently favour a "less is more" aesthetic.
Once the album is out, Dawson will hit the road for a tour. Even though he's now based in Nashville, TN, this outing is entirely in Canada. Scroll past the tracklist to see the schedule below.
Rattlesnake Cage is available to purchase on iTunes.
Rattlesnake Cage:
1. Blind Thomas at the Crime Scene
2. Flophouse Oratory
3. The Medicine Show Comes to Avalon
4. Rattlesnake Cage
5. Lighthouse Avenue
6. Butterfly Stunt
7. While the West Was Won, The Earth Didn't Know It
8. J.R. Lockley's Dilemna
9. The Flagpole Skater Laughs from Above
10. Chunky
11. The Altar at Center Raven
Tour dates:
03/20 Saskatoon, SK - The Bassment
03/21 Calgary, AB - Calgary Folk Festival Hall
03/22 Sherwood Park, AB - Festival Place Theatre
03/23 Fort St. John, BC - North Peace Cultural Centre
03/25 Gibsons, BC - Gibsons Heritage Playhouse
03/26 Cumberland, BC - Cumberland Hotel
03/27 Saltspring Island, BC - Southend Grooveyard Farmhouse
03/28 Victoria, BC - Hermann's
03/29 Errington, BC - Errington War Memorial Hall
03/30 Vancouver, BC - St. James Hall
03/31 Chilliwack, BC - Bozzinni's
04/24 Burnstown, ON - Neat Food
04/25 Montreal, QC - Petit Campus
04/26 St. John's, NL - LSPU Hall
04/27 Halifax, NS - The Carleton
04/30 Huntsville, ON - Etwell Concert Series
05/01 Toronto, ON - Hugh's Room
05/02 Guelph, ON - Folkway Music
05/03 Innisfil, ON - Music Up Close
05/04 Picton, ON - Acoustic Grill
08/16 Edmonton, AB - Edmonton Blues Festival
This all-instrumental guitar album was recorded using a single vintage tube microphone, which had previously been hanging from the ceiling in an old Detroit theatre. He played various acoustic guitars, including six-strings, 12-strings, a National tricone steel guitar and a Weissenborn Hawaiian guitar. Influences apparently include the American Primitive sound of John Fahey, Peter Lang and Leo Kottke, plus Reverend Gary Davis and Mississippi John Hurt.
A press release notes that these "simple and unadorned recordings" will sound good if listened to at a low volume in the background or if examined to with careful scrutiny. While Dawson is a technically accomplished guitarist, these 11 tracks apparently favour a "less is more" aesthetic.
Once the album is out, Dawson will hit the road for a tour. Even though he's now based in Nashville, TN, this outing is entirely in Canada. Scroll past the tracklist to see the schedule below.
Rattlesnake Cage is available to purchase on iTunes.
Rattlesnake Cage:
1. Blind Thomas at the Crime Scene
2. Flophouse Oratory
3. The Medicine Show Comes to Avalon
4. Rattlesnake Cage
5. Lighthouse Avenue
6. Butterfly Stunt
7. While the West Was Won, The Earth Didn't Know It
8. J.R. Lockley's Dilemna
9. The Flagpole Skater Laughs from Above
10. Chunky
11. The Altar at Center Raven
Tour dates:
03/20 Saskatoon, SK - The Bassment
03/21 Calgary, AB - Calgary Folk Festival Hall
03/22 Sherwood Park, AB - Festival Place Theatre
03/23 Fort St. John, BC - North Peace Cultural Centre
03/25 Gibsons, BC - Gibsons Heritage Playhouse
03/26 Cumberland, BC - Cumberland Hotel
03/27 Saltspring Island, BC - Southend Grooveyard Farmhouse
03/28 Victoria, BC - Hermann's
03/29 Errington, BC - Errington War Memorial Hall
03/30 Vancouver, BC - St. James Hall
03/31 Chilliwack, BC - Bozzinni's
04/24 Burnstown, ON - Neat Food
04/25 Montreal, QC - Petit Campus
04/26 St. John's, NL - LSPU Hall
04/27 Halifax, NS - The Carleton
04/30 Huntsville, ON - Etwell Concert Series
05/01 Toronto, ON - Hugh's Room
05/02 Guelph, ON - Folkway Music
05/03 Innisfil, ON - Music Up Close
05/04 Picton, ON - Acoustic Grill
08/16 Edmonton, AB - Edmonton Blues Festival
