“As with all of Dawson’s projects that I’ve heard, his layered guitars sit front and center, but he’s also supported by a fine cast of other players.”

“We closed our review for Gone Long Gone this way – “This is Dawson’s tour de force to date, among an already impressive body of work.” Eyes Closed, Dreaming is now a vital contender for that honor. The albums are two of a kind.”

“…Steve’s instrumental ‘Waikiki Stonewall Rag’ and ‘Let Him Go, Mama’, John Hartford’s ode to a quiet heroism of a life dedicated to music, are blissfully excellent. This is an album designed to keep you on your toes – every track is a winner.”

An artist who wears many hats, Dawson is also a session player, sideman, and acclaimed producer, and this very diverse body of work brings in horns, is often busy, but can also retreat to calm. It might also be one of the best albums of the year, which, if you’re looking at his past work, isn’t so surprising.

“He is an exceptional guitar player and the closest that I’ve heard to David Lindley, in his style of slide guitar playing, yes that good! He also plays electric and acoustic guitar and is a master pedal steel player and like David he loves to play a Weissenborn guitar.”

“Steve’s choice of subject matter ranges from timeless traditional ballads to twenties jazz and subtly memorable ditties such as John Hartford’s “Let Him Go On Mama” and Bobby Charles’ “Small Town Talk,” aided and abetted by top notch sidemen including Tim O’Brien and Fats Kaplin.”