Description
“Simone and Craig Dawson perform original songs and instrumentals which cover a range of roots folk music styles including acoustic Blues, Ki Hoalu (Hawaiian slack key) along with Celtic and Country Music influences. Their songs are often poignant, occasionally capricious hard hitting ballads which explore a variety of political, social and even ludicrous topics. Craig and Simone are also known for their ability to get their audiences laughing and singing along.
Together they are well known regulars on the festival circuit and have performed at many venues including the Woodford Folk Festival, the National Folk Festival and the Sydney Acoustic Guitar Festival.
Simone and Craig have completed a live EP, Jenny’s Flowers and in 2001 were involved in composing, recording and producing a soundtrack for a play performed in Brisbane called The Pitchfork Disney. They are also included on the compilation CD Green Songs, the 2001 Sydney Folk Gala compilation CD and the Folk Alliance Australia 2000 compilation CD.
Their 2003 recording So Near Yet So Far was produced with assistance from artsACT and Angel Train Pty Ltd. Since then they have released a double CD of roots based music called Let Isabelle Out, Craig’s solo CD of guitar instrumentals called Tunes from the Rivers and their latest release “Where Cedars Grew.”
“Where Cedars Grew” is the title of their 6th commercially available recording together. It is also their best.”
A CD containing 12 original songs by Craig and Simone Dawson
Craig Dawson – 6 and 12 string guitars, mandolin, vocals
Simone Dawson – Flute, Bazouki, Whistles, Glockenspeil and Vocals
Rita Woolhouse – Cello
Peter Logue – accordion
Mikaela Olding – trumpet
Recorded by Craig Dawson
Mixed by Craig Dawson and Kimmo Vennonen
Mastered by Kimmo Venonen
Where Cedars Grew is the latest release from Canberra Country Folk artists Craig and Simone Dawson.
Recorded, mixed and mastered locally, Where Cedars Grew contains 12 original songs, including 1 instrumental, that deal with a variety of social and emotional themes.)
The songs
1. I’m Goin’ Home – C Dawson
2. Where Cedars Grew – S Dawson
3. One Afternoon – C Dawson
4. Thunderbolt – S Dawson
5. Another Farmer – S Dawson
6. The Boat – C Dawson
7. The Light That Led Me Home (For Jack Coleman 1988 to 2010) – C Dawson
8. Something Old Something New – S Dawson
9. 40 Years – C Dawson
10. Wings of a Bird – S Dawson
11. The Carnival – S Dawson
12. The Road – C Dawson
Where Cedars Grew CD review by Chris Spencer
I was surprised to learn that the Dawsons have released several albums both together, solo and with other projects prior to the release of this album.
They describe their music as acoustic blues, celtic & country.
This album is mostly gentle folk ballads and tunes, with little significant sounds of blues or country. The songs are written by both Craig and Simone, and I presume that each takes lead vocals on the songs that they have written.
They also provide harmony vocals; other instruments are provided by Rita Woolhouse on cello, Peter Logue (accordion) and Mikaela Olding on trumpet.
The songs are unhurried, telling stories about boats (“Where Cedars Grew”, “The Boat”), horses (“Thunderbolt”), family saga (“40 Years”) and relationships (“Something New”, “The Carnival”).
The tunes and melodies are delicate accompanied by fl ute, violin, whistle, mandolin and guitar.
“The Light that Led me Home” is dedicated to Jack Coleman and is the only instrumental on the album, highlighting the flute playing of Simone.
Despite the use of alternating male & female vocals, and a variety of instruments, the songs sound too similar by half way through.
Perhaps they need to change the time signatures, tempo or genre to hold a listener’s attention all the way through.
On the other hand, the album has a cohesiveness which is alluring and should appeal to many folk enthusiasts.
