Ventura County Star (Los Angeles)

Steve Dawson’s latest is “Solid States & Loose Ends,’’ out since April Fool’s Day on Black Hen Music. It’s roots rock at its best with Dawson’s soulful vocals and subtle but smoking guitars. By the third tune, “Leave My Name Behind,’’ you might well be scouring Amazon for more Dawson music. He’s yet another masterful North of the Border musician (with a Juno to prove it) who has relocated to Nashville – this is his seventh album. There’s one word that stands out on his adjective-heavy bio sheet and that would be “flow effortlessly.’’ Wait – I lied – that’s two words but that’s exactly what Dawson does. And he does it all: country rock, folk rock, roots rock, whatever rock – and he does it very well. “Riley’s Henhouse Door’’ is a charming slice of Americana, and his cover of Joe Tex’s “You Got What It Takes’’ is extra spiffy, thanks in no small part to the horn dudes.