Author Archives Dawson

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Dawson’s 11th CD showcases his singer-songwriter style by being exquisitely acoustic. Soaring harmonies weave around intricate melody lines brought to life by mandolin, violin & guitar with a little flute to boot.

On this release, Dawson decided to remain “drumless” to emphasize the importance of the stories told in the songs by keeping them mostly acoustic. Joined by virtuoso musician and producer/engineer for the project, Nick Garrett-Powell, Dawson brings together 17 new songs sure to please long-time fans and draw new listeners as well. Dawson plays all of the rhythm acoustic guitar on the album as well as singing the lead vocals and adding the occasional flute line. He is accompanied by Nick’s amazing mandolin work, classical guitar, slide, steel string, harmonica, brush snare, shaker and stunning harmonies. Nick and Dawson form the core of this musical tapestry and manage to make it sound like they’ve been playing together for 10 years instead of only a few months. Deborah Katz joins them on several tracks with the haunting beauty of her violin and viola work, and Missy Howell knocks the socks off the cliche that she has the voice of an angel. Brian Engle also wandered into the studio during the recording of “That’s What Friends Are For” and helped fill out the bass harmony for that track.

From the upbeat swing of “Without Love” to the light-hearted reminder to put aside our anger “Before The Sun Sets”, Dawson shares an intimate glimpse into his personal life over the past 7 years. These songs chronicle some very painful times such as the death of his father and the poignant song of sorrow and hope that clings to the promise: “When I Find Forever” I will find you. They also celebrate some happier moments such as the wedding song, “1000 Butterflies”, which he wrote and performed for friends, and the toe-tapping burden-lifting song that reminds us “That’s What Friends Are For”. Backed by Nick’s haunting classical chops, “Telephone Game” gives a harsh glimpse into how gossip can crack the image of our friends. From there he moves to an emotional, first-person account of Jesus in the garden asking the Father to “take me in their place”. Spaced throughout the album are a few worship choruses that are sure to get stuck in your head and find their way back to the tip of your tongue throughout the day such as “It’s By The Grace” and “I Will Tell”.

“Coffee Shop Song” emphasizes Dawson’s ability to paint a story with his songs, singing of a girl who walks into a coffee shop and hears the words of a song that have an impact on her life. For those who enjoy intricate rhythms, his modern take of the favorite hymn, “Be Thou My Vision”, jumps around from 5/4 to 6/8 time and includes a fresh chorus that ties the traditional words together in a new and meaningful way. Brought together, these 17 songs will take you on a journey of faith and character, from the depths of grief to the heights of hope and joy. And like the reprise, the album will leave you with the comforting truth that by the grace of God we can come boldly before the throne and seek mercy and help in our time of need.

Buy Now!

Here are some quick links to various retailers where you can purchase either a downloadable MP3 copy of this album or in some cases a physical CD with lyric booklet.

Buy on iTunes Buy on Amazon Buy on CD Baby

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Well, for all of you who have been waiting awhile for Dawson to release some new material, your wait is over. He has put together a “shopping cart” (pun intended when you see the artwork) of songs in a brand new CD, “More In Store”. This CD features 6 previously unreleased studio tracks, 6 older songs that were released on earlier CDs that are currently out of print, and 3 live tracks from an hour-long outdoor concert at Waterworks Park Amphitheatre in Vancouver, Washington back on 06-29-2002.

From the opening song of “No Need to Worry” with its DMBesque sax and guitar work to the live Americana of “Before the Sun Sets”, the songs on this CD offer encouragement and hope for those who may be struggling in life. Many of the songs showcase Dawson’s storytelling style like “Parable”, which is a story of redemption following the biblical parable of the prodigal son to “Your Face”, a wedding song he wrote for a friend about how dazed he felt the first time he saw his wife’s face.

This is Dawson’s 10th full-length release since 1999’s “Swirling Waters Tug”, and it delivers something for everyone. The shopping cart metaphor truly applies to not only the variety of songs, but the genres, instrumentation, and emotions each evoke as well. If you enjoy finely crafted lyrics delivered with an honest passion and backed up by stunning acoustic guitar work then you owe it to yourself to check out this CD. Fans of Dave Matthews, John Mayer, and Bebo Norman will not be disappointed.

Buy Now!

Here are some quick links to various retailers where you can purchase either a downloadable MP3 copy of this album or in some cases a physical CD with lyric booklet.

Buy on iTunes Buy on Amazon Buy on CD Baby

Details

Singer/songwriter Dawson Cowals’ 7th album showcases his unique acoustic styling with driving rhythms, percussive tapping, and beautiful finger picking. With vocals ala Dave Matthews and the storytelling of John Mayer, this raw acoustic CD is a treat.

Dawson Cowals has a haunting voice that demands your ear. An artist who can indeed stand “unplugged”, Cowals offers a beautiful array of acoustic scores with an unapologetic social conscience. It works. Faith meets fire and speaks to what is missing in the emptiness of many other works. A polished artist with a bright, shiny soul.
—Sue Braiden, CBC Radio

Originally released September 5, 2001, this rerelease of Dawson’s seventh full-length album showcases his unique acoustic styling with driving rhythms, percussive tapping, and beautiful finger picking. “Unplugged” offers some of Dawson’s most heartfelt songs delivered in a raw and honest format, stripped of any production clutter. His lyrics will quickly draw you in with a vocal styling similar to Dave Matthews and challenge you to examine and hopefully find meaning in your life. From “Sticks & Stones” which warns us to guard our tongues to “Stubborn Man” that humbly admits having to go back around the mountain another time to learn a lesson the hard way. In “I’m Not That Strong” Dawson laments the mistake of taking a close friend for granted and paints the emotions he was feeling in the mind of the listener through his lyrics:

Left standing in the rain / Hope clutched like an umbrella with holes in it / Hair plastered to my face / Can’t you see that it’s killing me to admit // That I was wrong / Misconstrued that you’d / Be there all along / I was wrong / Without you, I’m on my own / And I’m not that strong //

This rerelease features two new tracks: “Beloved” and “Restore My Soul.” All of the songs have been digitally remastered from the original studio recordings. The track order has also been slightly altered to provide a hopefully more pleasing listening experience. If you enjoy acoustic music then you will love the live feel of this CD. All of the songs were recorded live in the studio to capture Dawson’s typical coffee shop playing style. For fans of Dave Matthews, John Mayer, or Bebo Norman.

The artwork for this CD started with a photo of his guitar in a field of daisies at Starker Arts Park in Corvallis, Oregon, and was then transformed into his signature colorized guitar in a black & white photo. Lyrics are included in the booklet for those of you who might wonder what exactly he is singing in French on the lullaby, Mon chéri.