JULIAN DAWSON
Spark (Gadfly)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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As I listened to this new Julian Dawson comp for the first time, I admit that I felt a small wave of embarassment at my ignorance. Why hadn't I heard of this guy? He has at least five albums worth of songs that, by the evidence here, are pretty terrific. He serves up an appealling musical stew of folk, pop, rock and country. He's a significant figure in Britain, Germany and elswhere. The respect he's accorded in the musical world is apparent by the names that pop up on these tracks in various singing, playing and writing roles, from a duet with Lucinda Williams to guitar work with Richard Thompson to backing vocals from the Roches to Steve Forberts harmonica and Vince Gill's co-writers pen.

So why isn't he a household name in the US? Whatever the reason, it has nothing to do with talent. As a writer, player and singer, he has talent to spare. Who knows, maybe it's just me. But if you've also missed Julian Dawson, don't miss this chance to catch up to him. Gadfly has assembled a terrific sampler and if there's any shred left of justice in the world of popular music, it's going to get this guy a lot more attention than he's received in the stateside market to date. Starting with me and proceeding directly, I hope, to you.

Track List:

I Like Your Absence * Luckiest Man In The Western World * How Can I Sleep Without You * No Place Worth Dying For * Fragile As China * Cold Cold World * Two Shots Of Jealousy * Always There * We've Been Through Fire * I Don't Feel Like Dancing * When Love Says Goodnight * As Real As Disneyland * Spark Of Human Kindness * Spark (Instrumental)

© 1999 - Shaun Dale