Since folk burst onto the scene in 2010, it seems there was an eruption of waistcoat clad gents and ukuleles wherever you turned. Noah & the Whale, Johnny Flynn and Mumford & Sons are all success stories of the past few years and have managed to give birth to many a follower.
It’s with this in mind that we turn our attention to E.C. Dawson. Hailing from the South West, this man and his guitar have been creating quite a stir across the interweb. Although the combo can attract a lot of presumptions, Dawson has managed to quash these and create his own spin on an already inundated genre.
‘Tattooed Princess & the Bowlegged Trobad’ is a punch to the stomach, with the integrity of Fionn Regan and gentle nature of Elliot Smith, mixed with the gutsy stamina of a young Johnny Cash. The harmonica adds a certain charm to the somewhat aggressive stance of the song. No need to be scared though, as this tune would get anyone’s toes tapping.
‘Comes So Damn Heavy’ is reminiscent of early Feist, as the perfected rhythmic strumming encourages you to run away with the song. Whilst Dawson’s masculine tone is apparent, his lyrics latch onto your heart strings and never falter their grasp. After all, there’s nothing wrong with a guy showing off his feminine side.
‘Strong We Were (So Weak Now)’ follows the same route of ‘Comes So Damn Heavy’ but is by no means repetitive. Dawson’s vocals are given the chance to shine with this one and he doesn’t disappoint. As Dylan once proved, the voice isn’t all about being pitch perfect but rather having enough unique appeal and tonal credibility - Dawson has these and more. His rough and ready approach to singing is as refreshing as it is engaging.
‘Lie Low’ is a taste of Dawson’s softer side, without steering in the direction of ballad territory. Once again, his vocals triumph and the lyrics showcase what a wordsmith he can be. The song draws you in and keeps you there for its entirety, releasing your ears only when Dawson strums his last chord.
E.C. Dawson is a breath of fresh air into the acoustic-folk circuit. By adding a touch of country to his tunes and with charisma that speaks to all, Dawson will surely continue to go far.
Review by Samantha Maine
Contact E.C. Dawson!
elliotclarkdawson@hotmail.com
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