Skip to main content

Maverick Ad

Home

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Cover Stories
  • Features
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Cashbox Legacy Awards
  • Past Covers
  • Weekly Archive
Newmarket, Ontario-Based Folk Roots Singer-Songwriter John Dawson Offers A Reflective Look In "Life Just Came to Me"

Breadcrumb

  • Home
  • Newmarket, Ontario-Based Folk Roots Singer-Songwriter John Dawson Offers A Reflective Look In "Life Just Came to Me"
John Dawson
Fri Nov 15, 2024
Cashbox Canada

There are times in life where you're not sure what direction to go or where to turn, but, looking back, you realize what happened was just the way life or fate planned it. That notion is captured perfectly with "Life Just Came to Me," a gentle, toe-tapping single courtesy of Newmarket, Ontario-based folk roots musician John Dawson from his album Outlier.

"If the album Outlier tells any kind of story, then 'Life Just Came to Me' is its opening chapter," Dawson says of the single. "The so-called 'ordinary world,' if you will. Beginning from the awareness of life as it was and not as it is, this song 'sets the table' for the ensuing study of change, loss, and hope that follows in each of the songs. The piece is intentional in its simplicity. Almost as if it is coming from a moment of quiet reflection on a front porch (thank you Mr. Sexsmith for that image)."

open.spotify.com/track/50hkMygbn1S7MshKaH3Hdz

Dawson, of course, is speaking of acclaimed singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith. Sexsmith, who has had his music praised and covered by Emmylou Harris, Elvis Costello and Nick Lowe among countless others, also lauds the single. "John Dawson's song 'Life Just Came to Me' has a lovely front porch picking style with lyrics that are simple yet philosophical and openhearted," Sexsmith says of the track.

"Life Just Came to Me," written by Dawson, is a masterpiece in terms of performance and economy of words in the vein of Sexsmith's better known signatures. Sounding exactly as if he's on his front porch, Dawson offers some great guitar picking while bassist Manny DeGrandis provides a steadying presence throughout. It's a beautifully barren approach that shines thanks to Dawson's words and music. Fans of John Hiatt, Rodney Crowell, Lyle Lovett, and Bruce Cockburn would be wise to seek this jewel out.

"Ostensibly, 'Life Just Came to Me' is intended to provide a musical starting point from which Outlier proceeds as it explores the navigation of change that each of us will invariably face in life," Dawson says. "With each song moving and shifting between subtleties of musical moods and lyrical themes, they can all be seen in juxtaposition to this joyful, if not slightly somber opening movement. 'Life Just Came to Me' is an invitation to move further into the story: if that is how it was, what happened, and how did it all work out?"

"Life Just Came to Me" is the latest single from Dawson's new studio album Outlier. The nine-track effort, produced by Adam Brunner, features Dawson with drummer and percussionist Anthony D'Angela and DeGrandis. Highlights of this consistently credible offering include the pristine "Things I Meant to Say," the simple but stunning "Mend In My Ways" and the jazzy, roots instrumental "Merry and Pippin," which shows another side of Dawson's musical depth.

Dawson, who besides his music also co-hosts a weekly professional wrestling radio program called Ringside Heat, cites inspirations such as Eric Clapton, the late George Harrison, Paul Simon, and Knopfler for crafting and shaping his musical career. He's also a graduate of the Humber College Music program and graduated from York University with degrees in both Education and Music.

Now with "Life Just Came to Me" and high praise from noted lyrical craftsmen, John Dawson has another pensive and pretty single to add to his continually growing chest of musical treasures.

Reviews
Album
John Dawson
Month: Aug 2024
HOT MUD Ottawa’s HOT MUD Shares Newfound Zest For Life After Addiction With…
Annabel Gutherz Canadian singer and songwriter Annabel Gutherz reveals her new single, “…
Carbonstone Static Electricity: Alt.Metal’s Carbonstone Sends a Bracing Jolt of…
Chris Birkett Legendary Producer / Singer-Songwriter Chris Birkett Releases ‘She's…
Eric Sage Photo Credit Jorden Davis Pride on Tap: Rockin’ Country Singer Eric Sage Sings the Praises of “Canadian Beer”…
Leanne Pearson Country Artist Leanne Pearson Offers Humour and a Non-Traditional Take on the…
Marie-Therese Photo Credit PJM Marie-Thérèse Revamps Prince’s ‘Strange Relationship’ Into A Stunning 2024 Dance…
Month: Sep 2024
Gracie Ella RnB/Jazz/Pop Singer Gracie Ella Finds Peace and Comfort in New Single “Skin”
Hot Mud Ottawa Indie Pop Rocker HOT MUD Grapples With The Music Industry On Chipper,…
Huguette Lavigne Ottawa-Based New Age Artist Huguette Lavigne Returns With Latest Soothing…
Scott Albert Johnson Seeing Is Believing: Blues Rocker Scott Albert Johnson Holds Tomorrow Up To…
The Kings The Kings Still Reign: Canadian Rock Legends Defy 'One-Hit Wonder'…
Andrew Michelin Ottawa Roots Rock Group The All Canadian Soundclash Offer Harrowing Story "…
Aline Garza Teenage Pop Artist Aline Garza Gets Armoured Up on Rousing “Warrior”
Anoxia Baltimore’s ANOXIA Bleeds the Agony of Betrayal in Their Haunting Anthem '…

Pagination

  • First page « First
  • Previous page ‹ Previous
  • …
  • Page 129
  • Page 130
  • Page 131
  • Page 132
  • Current page 133
  • Page 134
  • Page 135
  • Page 136
  • Page 137
  • …
  • Next page Next ›
  • Last page Last »

CEO/PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF
SANDY GRAHAM

email:sandygrahamemg@gmail.com 

Canadian Journalists:

Contributing Journalist - Canada and Global
Don Graham
email: dongrahamwriter@gmail.com

Contributing Journalist - Canada and Global
Lisa Hartt
email: lisahartt87@hotmail.com

Contributing Journalist - Canada 
Michael Williams
email: greydread@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

International Journalists:

Contributing Journalist - Sweden
Malin Osth
email: malin@musicdays.se

Contributing Journalist - Sweden
Jonas Tancred
email: jonas@musicdays.se

Contributing Journalist - USA
Rob Durkee 
email: rockster2746@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Web Developer/Technical Support
Chris Wardman

email: info@chriswardman.com
website: chriswardman.com

Cashbox Cover Design and Graphic Artist
Jain McMillan

email: jainmcmillan@gmail.com

Contributing Photographer 
Tracey Savein - South Paw Productions
southpawproductions@rogers.com

 

 

 

Footer menu

  • Home
  • Features
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Cashbox Archive
  • Issue Archive
  • Past Covers