Dawson takes on Sam McGee with latest CD

Craig Bakay | Aug 16, 2017

In this Canada 150 year, you’re probably thinking ‘where can I get some insight into the works of some of Canada’s greatest poets?’
Well, in the Central/North Frontenac area, there happens to be one fellow who’s prepared to help you out with that conundrum — Dave Dawson.
Dawson’s latest artistic offering is called Dave Dawson Recites, a CD where he does just that, recites selected works of Robert Service and Dr. Henry Drummond.

Service, arguably Canada’s greatest poet, especially when it comes to visions of the North, probably doesn’t need much of an introduction. It’s hard to conceive that any Canadian hasn’t been exposed to him somewhere in school and various other outlets. Is there a more ironically Canadian poem than The Cremation of Sam McGee? (Yes, it’s on the CD, along with The Shooting of Dan McGrew and other Service classics.)
Drummond, perhaps lesser known in popular culture, is nonetheless well thought-of in literary circles, being named a fellow of both the Royal Society of Canada and the Royal Society of Literature in the UK. Born in Ireland, he practised medicine in Quebec’s Eastern Townships (which coincidentally Dawson is also from). Perhaps his best known piece is The Last Portage (which is on the CD) as well as a number of pieces featuring Little Batiste (two of which are on the CD, Little Batiste and How Batiste Came Home).

At age 84, Dawson shows no signs of slowing down. He retired from installing telephone lines to pursue his artistic interests and now has produced 13 CDs (of his own songs as well as others, most notably Jimmie Rodgers), nine books (six poetry, two of short stories and one novel) as well as numerous painting on canvas, panel, paddles and milk pails. He said his next project is a CD (or two) of his own poems.
The Dave Dawson Recites CD features cover art of his own paintings as well as sketches of Dawson, Service and Drummond by Rose Wilson.
The CD is available for $15 by calling Dawson at 613-268-2797.