Guitarist, composer and producer Steve Dawson is well known for his work with Matt Anderson, The Birds of Chicago, and his acclaimed ‘Music Makers and Soul Shakers’ podcast. ‘Gone, Long Gone’ is his first release since 2016 and promises to be one of three albums to be released in 2022. Like many musicians in 2020, Dawson suddenly found himself with no regular work. Utilising and refining his remote recording and producing skills, he hooked up with songwriter Matt Patershuk and the pair produced enough music for three albums. The gentle country-blues of ‘Dimes’ opens the record with a laid-back rhythm and funky brass section underpinning Dawson’s slide guitar work as he weaves a fun tale about quantity over quality. Paying tribute to one of his musical heroes on ‘King Benny Had His Shit Together’, Dawson spins a magical fictional tale of how King Bennie Nawahi may have recounted his exploits during his musical career; another fun, laid-back tune with hints of jazz undertones throughout. The title track is a folk-based song that finds influence in the works of troubadours Brownie McGee and Big Bill Broonzy. ‘I Just Get Lost’ features some nimble acoustic picking before finding its groove when its electric chorus kicks in with the band in tow. Once again, paying tribute to his love of Hawaiian music, ‘Kulaniapia Waltz’ is a dreamy instrumental take on the genre with an original twist. Rounding out the album, ‘Time Has Made A Fool Out Of Me’ is a reflective slide guitar-based tale of the realisation of limits and mortality. ‘Gone, Long Gone’ is an album that’s fun and packed with great songs. With this release, Dawson rightly takes his place as a musician front and centre in his own right and steps out of the shadow role of guitarist and producer to others. Being the opening salvo in a year in which Dawson plans to release two more albums, he has set the bar high with this excellent mix of blues, folk, and Americana.