Move Over Darling

London-born and 40-something, Julian Dawson's musical bowl brims with a tuneful, eclectic stew drawn from British folk-rock, American pop and the Lennon side of The Beatles (complete with U.S. soul music obsession). Perhaps due to travelling too widely and actively apprenticing himself too diversely, Dawson has thus far managed to avoid major recognition, despite possession of a remarkable voice that resembles former Plainsong partner Ian Matthews' until it's pushed (at which point it cracks and rasps like a HELP/RUBBER SOUL-era John).
He is a strong, passionate songwriter, both on his own and in cahoots with cohorts Dan Penn, Rosie Flores and Clive Gregson. Good as those songs are, though, it's the covers--particularly the confident, late-period-Lennon take on Aretha's "All The King's Horses" and the exquisite cut-glass miniature of Doris Day's creamy "Move Over Darling" (aided by The Roches and Richard Thompson)--that are defining.|