Jesse Dayton – The Hard Way Blues
10 songs time – 35:35
Originally from Southeast Texas, Jesse Dayton’s music draws from many diverse genres. Over several decades he has dabbled in many and this record is an amalgamation of those influences: outlaw country, rock, Texas Rockabilly, a touch of blues and who knows what else. He has collaborated with diverse artists from Willie Nelson and Glen Campbell to members of Guns ‘N Roses. He commands a honky-tonk swagger of a voice as well as knowing his way around electric, slide and acoustic guitars. He wrote all the songs and his ably backed by drums, bass, keyboards, accordion and background vocals.
He recounts the trials and tribulations of a challenging life on “The Hard Way” via a hard-charging rock attack. Subtle organ peeks its’ head through. The acoustic lead-in on “Night Brain” gives way to a heavy guitar-fired assault that amounts to a sturdy statement. “Talkin’ Company Man Blues” is about working for the man and all it entails in life’s perils. His guitar skills are enhanced by Matt Hubbard’s electric piano and Courtney Santana’s haunting background vocals.
Finger-picked acoustic guitar bookends the catchy over-driven electric guitar riffing on “Baby’s Long Gone”. More of Courtney’s background voicings. “Navasota” enters like a hard-charging bull of a guitar bombardment, slide and riffs flying around like shrapnel. “Ballad Of Boyd Elder” is a hard rockin’ tale of a desperado. The roadhouse countryish “Angel In My Pocket” reveals a tender heartfelt side. Matt Hubbard contributes Accordion.
“Huntsville Prison Rodeo” depicts the brutal scene in good story song style. “Esther Pearl” uses a similar technique to describe a tale of an Haitian immigrant’s experience assisting runaway slave’s on the Underground Railroad during the mid-1800s. Things finish up with more clever lyrics in “God Ain’t Makin’ No More Of It”. Jesse’s guitar blazes through with help from producer Shooter Jennings’ tinkly piano.
Jesse Dayton and friends have crafted a gritty snapshot of life that is bolstered by fine musicianship. They all commit themselves well, but I give a special mention to bass player Ted Russell Kamp who on many songs gives a subtle under current. Patrick Herzfeld, Jamie Douglass, Shooter Jennings, Matt Hubbard and Courtney Santana are certainly not chopped liver. This record is certainly worth your attention.
