Artist description Acoustic music consisting of original songs. Instruments include guitar, recorder, cello and violin. Multi Award winning singer songwriter and winner in the Tamworth Independent Artists Awards for 2000.

Music Style Acoustic Folk

Musical Influences Blind Lemon Jefferson, Leadbelly, Pete Seeger, Leonard Cohen, Gordon Lightfoot, Bob Hadley, Leo Kottke, John Fahey, Stefan Grossman, Nick Drake, Bob Dylan, Ralph McTell, Don Mclean, John Prine

Similar Artists Gordon Lightfoot, Leonard Cohen, Ron Sexsmith, Ralph McTell, Don Mclean, Leo Kottke, John Fahey, Nick Cave, Grant Mclennan, John Prine, Eric Bogle, Enda Kenny, Luka Bloom, Bruce Cockburn, Rodriguez

Group Members Solo singer/songwriter - Craig Dawson

Instruments Stictly acoustic

Albums 1996 - 'The River's Return' 1997- 'The Avondale Sessions' 1999- 'The Malfunction Room'

Press Reviews Review on the Malfunction Room CD by Jacinta Campbell"Within the stark delivery of the apocalyptic opening song to "The Malfunction Room" are the lines:"past the shattered lives and dreams of men who've lost their waywhere broken bottles shine like stars in the gutters where they lay."This imagery sets the poignant theme which prevails throughout many of the songs on Craig Dawson's first solo album. Accompanied by a basic ensemble of cello, violin, recorder and guitar, the listener is taken on a bizarre and unsettling journey into the worlds of ordinary human beings whose lives appear completely disconnected from each other and mainstream society. The words 'broken' and 'shattered' which appear a number of times in the first song, echo frequently throughout many others as does imagery of neon lights, burning hope, cold misty air and the wind in which if one listens closely enough can almost hear the distant call of their own name. Meanwhile, the appropriately titled "Suits and Ties" deplores the efforts of an elitist ruling class to divide us from each other, whereas "Reconciliation" offers a vision of hope for our children in a united and powerful world. "The Reunion" is a song which looks at the relationship between two beer drinking Australian males and the shallow respect they have for each other.Perhaps the most sensitive song on the album is "Rachelle on a Carousel" where the singer struggles between protecting his young child on the one hand and warning her of an unscrupulous world which lies ahead on the other. Close behind would be "Darryl made it through another day," a song which looks at the withdrawal effects of narcotics addiction and the impact is has on others close to the addict.Musically, the recordings have simple, but refreshing accompaniments which were apparently recorded in no more than two attempts. A number of instrumental interludes including two solo guitar tracks provide relief from the melancholy vocal delivery and lyrics.The fact that the songs were recorded in different studios causes obvious changes from track to track in the overall production quality of the album but this is not enough to deter the listener.All in all "The Malfunction Room" is a neat package of distressful topics which makes us take a long hard look at ourselves and our connection to this life. A world where so many people reach out for help yet suffer in isolation from each other is a malfunction in itself.

Additional Info Tamworth Independent Artists Awards Winner 2000

Location Jamison, ACT - Australia

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