STEVE DAWSON - Pandemonium Circus

Posted: 9/2/02

Reviewed by: Dirt

Category: 80s Hard Rock

Released: 2002

Label URL: www.angelair.co.uk

Artist URL:

Pandemonium Circus is a collection of solo recordings from former Saxon bassist Steve Dawson, on whom the Spinal Tap character Derek Smalls was based. Aside from releasing Son Of Bitch's Victim You a few years ago, and more recently touring as Oliver/Dawson Saxon, Steve Dawson has been out of the limelight since his dismissal from Saxon on June 21, 1986.

The eleven studio tracks on Pandemonium Circus are from the period between 1986-1989, and were recorded at different studios with various musicians. There are also five live tracks recorded at Ranmour College in Sheffield, England around 1987. While the recording quality is slightly muddy overall, fans will be quite surprised by the quality of the actual songs, which range in style from hard rock to melodic rock. Fourteen tracks contain vocalist Steve Johnson (who had previously done some work with Thin Lizzy's Phil Lynott just before Lynott's death), and two tracks feature his successor Adrian Davidson. Both singers have strong presentations, although Davidson has a more 80s commercial rock style. The album also contains drummer Nigel Durham, who played with Saxon during the Destiny period. While he's never really been given the credit he deserves, Dawson's songwriting was an important key to Saxon's success. His songwriting prowess is displayed on Pandemonium Circus as well, although some of the songs have a more commercial edge than those of Saxon. However, "2 Late" could have certainly fit on Saxon's Destiny.

The Bloody Truth: Fans of early and mid-period Saxon, 80s hard rock and melodic rock should pick this one up.