JD Clayton – Blue Sky Sundays
You never have to leave the back porch. The boss, the bank, the worry, the world might “Let You Down,” but JD Clayton and his fresh new Americana album Blue Sky Sundays will not.
The breeze blows, strings whisper, birds chirp, and a lonesome whistle blows, as “Let You Down” introduces you to the hard-livin’, easy-pickin’ Arkansas upbringing that Clayton channels in this record. That breeze picks up and transforms into a powerful wind as the drums drop in, a Springsteen-style heartland rock snare bangs, and the tempo reminds you that porches can be for boot-stompin’ too. In an age when musicians shorten their songs to accommodate our shorter attention spans, JD’s opening track is an almost unheard of full five minutes, reminding the listener that these are his songs – take ’em or leave ’em. The bridge and the instrumental solo are dying arts – casualties of society’s attention reduction – and this song honors a timeless tradition that the industry would rather erase. After about three minutes, in comes a tasteful, face-scrunching bass solo, some ragtime piano, conductor time-keeping beatboxing, an epic electrifying guitar solo, down to a drum solo. Though it serves as the first track of the album, it could be the live show’s encore. You’ll be hooked for all five minutes – the song is that dynamic – and then you’ll play it again.
The vocal tone, in this song and throughout the whole album, is conversational, like a buddy sharing a well-thought-out, passionate revelation with which he knows you’ll agree. The cover art features Clayton, sitting cross-legged, tall pines rising into the aptly-pictured blue sky behind him, wispy white clouds floating like decorations. Smiling like he belongs to that sky, Clayton is a natural in this easy-breezy element.
The maturity in the lyrics and the instrumental honoring of americana, gospel, soul, and southern tradition would lead you to believe Clayton to be much older than 29-years-old. “Dirt Roads of Red” has an old southern gospel feel. Fans of John Mayer’s Montana-inspired Paradise Valley will fall in love with “Madelene.” Piano featured throughout the album eases your shoulder tension and cleanses your soul in cool water. Hell, Chuck Berry might’ve helped write the intro riff to “Arkansas Kid.” The don’t-tread-on-me storytelling lyrics pair perfectly with the southern rock, bayou blues, twist-n-shout sound.
A pleasant surprise is a tantalizing cover of Tracy Chapman’s “Give Me One Reason” – but louder and funkier. This is the way a cover band at a blues bar plays it to get the crowd dancing. Picture sunglasses on stage, synth keys, dim lights, cold drinks, crowded dance floors, folks of all different walks of life.
“Goodnight” sees the blue sky pleasantly fade as the stars slowly reveal themselves. As Clayton’s friends and neighbors leave the porch, man and woman remain before retiring inside for the evening. It’s a pleasant lullaby with a touch of humor: “‘Cause you’re the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen thus far / And I might be biased, but I’m pretty sure you are.” “Goodnight” is the most at-home song about a born-rambler you’ve ever heard.
JD – keep producing your own albums – because damn, it’s working. Blue Sky Sundays was recorded by Parker McAnnally at Sound Emporium Studios in Nashville, TN, mixed by Vance Powell at Sputnik Sound, and mastered by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound. Instrumentalists include Bo Aleman on electric and slide guitar, Lee Williams on bass guitar and background vocals, Kirby Bland on drums, Hank Long on keys and background vocals, Pat Lyons on electric guitar, electric mandolin, and 12-string acoustic, and Kristen Rogers on background vocals.
Personally, this has quickly become a favorite of mine. “Blue Sky Sundays” is available on streaming services everywhere!
Find more details here on his website: https://jdclaytonofficial.com
Enjoy our previous coverage here: Interview: JD Clayton Takes The Road Into The Studio For “Blue Sky Sundays”
