Dillon's unique fashion of acoustic fingerstyle guitar stands up nicely next to the likes of Leo Kottke and Norman Blake, blending their progressive folk and bluegrass-tinged sounds into his own. Upon listening to Dillon's fingers ripping across the guitar frets, one can only be amazed that the sounds produced come from a single person. Even though First Of All is just the product of one man's guitar, don't automatically assume that this is sleepytime fire-side music; "Summertime Rain" is a stark and beautiful work that can send chills down the listener's spine, which leads into the blazing "Flying Low," a blur of fingers and fretwork. Dillon has a knack for writing instrumental songs that are melodic and cover enough territory to keep the listener entertained, but at the same time are cohesive enough not to leave the listeners wondering where the song is.
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First Of All is the work of a fingerstyle dynamo. Acoustic, raw and thoughtful, this is guitar music you'll keep in rotation for a while to be certain you've heard all there is to hear.

There's a lot to listen to. About half of the tracks feature busy fingers and catchy melodies, while the balance of the tracks are more contemplative. Every track features Steven's technical prowess on the frets and strings. Steven's music reminds me of Michael Hedges often - some of the chords, some of the progressions...but this isn't a Hedges tribute album. Nor would it be fair to call this an album 'New Age'. Steven typically arranges his pieces in a format closer to pop, with the introduction of a melody, the repetition of that melody, a bridge, and a close reminiscient of the introduction. Only rarely do Steven's tracks wander and mutate in what I consider to be the hallmark new age style. Although I thought ocassionally of Will Ackerman, Ackerman's material tends to have a wandering feel that Steven's music never does. All of Steven's tracks have purpose and direction - a feeling to communicate and a defined way to get you there.

...This CD is a welcome addition to my collection, and I look forward to more of Steven's music.
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This debut CD is a finely composed introduction to a very talented and multi-faceted acoustic guitarist from Virginia, Steven Dillon. The slyly country fried picking of 'Whistle While You Walk' leads things off, and is followed by a treasure trove of stylings ranging from haunting classical to rootsy folk and low-key rock pyrotechnics. Sometimes these styles can be present in the same song, ebbing and flowing like a sparkling moon-lit tide crescendoing to a crashing surf. It is obvious that Steven puts a lot of effort into writing songs that complement his talents without being too showy or flashy. Even with the panache to a minimum, his fingers tell his stories and they are very adept story tellers.
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Steven Dillon is an acoustic guitar virtuoso who is about to set the world on fire with his debut CD First of All. Entirely acoustic, entirely instrumental and entirely exciting, First of All is an amazing forty-seven minutes of original, eclectic and flashy guitar work.

...Dillon combines his rustic style with various influences from the rock, country and classical world. With hints of the great Michael Hedges, Dillon spins a new style all his own. (I could even pick up a trace of Leslie West and Jimmy Page in songs like Flyin’ Low, 12 Roses and Rusty’s Spirit.) Dynamic, robust, original, emotional, clean and precise, Steven Dillon is a name to watch among up and coming solo artists.

From the carefree Whistle While You Walk to the intense finale, Solar Eclipse fans of the acoustic guitar will enjoy this wondrous work. Fellow guitarists will soon be emulating his technique and covering his very well written tunes. Best of Both Worlds showcases an interesting contrast of a rock and roll rhythm intertwined with soothing and artful finger picking. Play this CD loud; play it alone; listen with headphones and a Grand Marnier and enjoy!
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