Canada-born singer-songwriter, versatile instrumentalist and podcaster Steve Dawson has been a formidable figure in Nashville since he arrived in 2013. And he didn’t let COVID slow him down. Dawson has completed three projects since the start of the pandemic, the first of which is Gone, Long Gone. The album showcases his witty, pungent and wry reflections and observations, as well as his crisp vocals, idiomatic flexibility and outstanding guitar work. The record incorporates everything from folk and country stylings to horn arrangements on “Dimes” that echo the best of the soul era, plus contributions from several of Nashville’s finest studio musicians. The poignant title tune, explosive and expressive instrumental “Kulaniapia Waltz” and stirring tribute piece “King Bennie Had His Shit Together,” which honors the magical Hawaiian street performer King Bennie Nawahi, are just some of the album’s highlights. There’s also fine harmony vocal support from Dawson’s daughter Casey, as well as from Allison Russell — most notably on the concluding “Time Has Made a Fool Out of Me.” -RON WYNN