In his solo recordings, roots music renaissance man Steve Dawson has been alternating instrumental and vocal albums of late. 2014’s Rattlesnake Cage was all-instrumental, while Solid States and Loose Ends brings Dawson’s voice back to the mix. He doesn’t have the widest range or resonance vocally, but it is a laidback and likeable instrument he employs skilfully.
 
For instance, on opening track “Loose Ends” he lets backing singers the McRary Sisters and a horn section add soul and muscle to proceedings, a nice contrast to his mellow delivery. Horns embellish four of the generous 14 cuts, though the sparser-sounding material works equally well, as with the voice and acoustic slide only approach of traditional tune “Riley’s Henhouse Door.”