"Never before has Dawson sounded so incredibly free."

“the guitar sound is as rich as tiramisu.”

"Meditative at times, explosive at others, you can easily get lost in its winding path, wonder where an hour went, and wonder why you are suddenly uplifted."

"There aren’t many musicians brave or gifted enough to pull off a purely solo performance like this, which makes its appearance even more noteworthy."

"Dawson delivers eleven instrumentals, all self penned, that are minor masterpieces of the art of solo finger picking blues guitar with cascades of notes flowing from his fingers."

"Beautifully and skillfully executed, Rattlesnake Cage should reward the listener with new insights each time it’s opened."

"...Dawson’s virtuosity and imagination are front and centre, reminiscent of albums in the 1970s by John Fahey and Leo Kottke..."

"...Killer stuff that’s simply a cut above."

"...Steve’s picking on these cuts is exemplary, and reminiscent of the Sixties works of John Fahey and Ry Cooder, and also shows what a tremendous talent Steve has for the old-time feel of these tunes."

"...Revels in that simplicity on his latest, an instrumental guitar album showcasing his various styles of fingerpicking and slide work without overdubs or effects."

"There’s ragtime (J.R. Lockely’s Dilemma), some jaunty blues (The Altar at Center Raven) and a whole lot of bewilderingly intricate fingerpicking that will have you doubting what you’re hearing."

"On his latest album, Dawson gives listeners an opportunity to hear a conversation between his imagination, fingers and guitars."

"Steve Dawson is a Canadian guitar player (playing solo acoustic here) of considerable ability, and a sensibility that clearly derives form concentrated listening both to the vintage greats of blues and country guitar, and - probably more so - to those later exponents who built on that heritage."

“On his latest album, Dawson gives listeners an opportunity to hear a conversation between his imagination, fingers and guitars (including 6- and 12-strings, traditional wood bodies and a National tricone), unadorned by other instruments or even vocals.”

"If you love acoustic guitar picking especially in the style of Kottke/Lang and John Hurt/Gary Davis, this is a treasure."

"It is both a subtle and intricate album. The music lulls the listener as it slips into the background, which is due to Dawson making it look and feel so easy."

"The moods ranges from "Flophouse Oratory," which stops, starts and weaves together like an old rural Southern storyline, to "The Medicine Show Comes to Avalon," Dawson's delightful tribute to Mississippi John Hurt."

"He provides hot licks from deep roots starting with "Blind Thomas At The Crime Scene" and doesn't stop 'til both you and he are satisfied."

"Steve Dawson offers a double gift, giving listeners the album that have been waiting for somewhat patiently, and honoring the American Primitive tradition with his obvious respect for the genre."