Jesse Dayton – The Hard Way Blues
This gets off to a rousing slippery rock n’ roll vintage lubricated with Mobil 1 ala Dave Edmunds. However, while the late J. J. Cale was more of a blues singer, Jesse has that Cale tone set to not a blues brashness but a pure rock ‘n roll Burnette Brothers tradition – at least at the beginning. Johnny’s “Little Boy Sad,” comes to mind.
After several listens it’s obvious Jesse Dayton has a well-cultivated earthy pedigree with his rock showcase. There are moments when he deviates from his Cale-isms & drifts off into a strong J.D. Blackfoot (“The Ultimate Prophecy”) powerhouse rock framework. Not many singers today have this approach to their repertoire, so Dayton is special. His is not a dated style as much as a unique one. He’s blessed with a voice that’s a lived-in dusty road juke joint purveyor of rhythm & blues (50s style) stitched along his vocal cords.
There are 10 percolating tunes on this Shooter Jennings (piano/keys) produced The Hard Way Blues (Drops May 31/Blue Elan Records/Hardcharger Records/36:00) that has cool & calculating melodies written by Jesse Dayton (guitars/vocals/percussion) that give the whole musical meal sustenance.
By “Baby’s Long Gone,” Dayton is cooking with a recipe concocted by John P. Hammond with an intrinsic musical recipe that fills any place with a filet of chords that reach into the heart, scramble the brain, move the feet & tweak the mind. This is closer to traditional rock with modern embellishments added than contemporary rock as deconstructed by hair bands & spandex junkies. What’s implemented here is how Rock was a breached birth from the blues, folk & old-world country. “Ballad of Boyd Elder” is a dalliance with the intonation of early 60s Ray Charles & it’s a beauty framed by the guitars & bass.
I think what Dayton has to do is decide whether he wants to pursue a Cale route which is a little more blues-oriented with lots of storytelling & sawdust or lay down pure 50s rock n’ roll as he does with the wonderful “God Ain’t Makin’ No More of It.” That’s a well-arranged & played piece. It needs more of an Elvis touch of showmanship. Not to bring it to the surface but to break the surface. That’s the difference between a great singer & an Elvis. Dayton has that kind of faithful formidable voice.
Highlights – “The Hard Way,” “Night Brain,” “Talkin’ Company Man Blues,” “Baby’s Long Gone,” “Ballad of Boyd Elder” & “God Ain’t Makin’ No More of It.”
Musicians –Ted Russell Kamp (bass), Jamie Douglass (drums/percussion), Courtney Santana (bgv), Matt Hubbard (keys/accordion/percussion) & Patrick Herzfeld (drums/percussion).
6-panel die-cut CD art does nothing for Jesse — could’ve been far better. A folded lyric insert is included & the color image courtesy of Ray Redding. CD @ Bandcamp & https://www.jessedayton.com/