Multi-award-winning Canadian producer and accomplished session guitarist Steve Dawson makes only rare forays into his Nashville studio to record his own music. Luckily, whne he does he can draw on Music City's finest to make up his backing band, and utilize his own finely honed production skills to create an uplifting collection of tracks.

Dawson's trademark vintage guitar sounds are spread liberally over the album, whether down, dirty and overdriven, as on 'Can't Put That Monkey On My Back,' mellow acoustic slide, as on 'Little Silver' and 'Riley's Henhouse Door,' or fluid National steel, as on 'California Saviour.' Fats Kaplin (Jack White, Nanci Griffith) contributes captivating fiddle and mandolin parts throughout and backing singers Keri Latimer and The McCrary Sisters are sublime.

Dawson's songwriting skills are well showcased too, his own compositions sitting easily alongside several traditional songs and the Joe Tex classic 'You Got What It Takes.'

But it is Dawson's guitar skills and the superb array of musicians he has assembled that make Solid States and Loose Ends such a fine addition to his blues and country oeuvre.