​Jesse Dayton (from the album Beaumonster

​Jesse Dayton (from the album Beaumonster on Hardcharger Records (by Lee Zimmerman)

Jesse Dayton has enjoyed a diverse career to say the very least. Some might refer to him as a renaissance man given the fact that his work as a producer, director, and actor, all his talents fitting in nicely alongside his musical mindset. Aside from a resume that includes more than a dozen albums and 25 years of performing as a solo artist and sidekick for the likes of Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, X, and John Doe, Jesse Dayton has scored a number of films as well.
 
It’s little wonder then that Dayton decided to document his anecdotes and accomplishments with a well-received book, titled Beaumonster, the print edition gave him the opportunity to share an accompanying soundtrack of the same name. The diversity is evident at the outset, thanks to a varied set of songs from such revered sources as Willie Nelson, Doug Sahm, Townes Van Zandt, Kinky Friedman, Waylon Jennings, and Ray Price. At the same time Dayton does a remarkable job of paying homage to the songwriters, he also puts his own signature stamp on each track.  As a result, he makes a surprisingly assertive statement with X’s “Burning House of Love” and Jennings’ “Just to Satisfy You” while also reflecting on some decidedly downhome designs with “Pretend I Never Happened”. So too, Friedman’s “Wild Man from Borneo” and Sahm’s “At the Crossroads” come across as sedate and contrite, draped in enough tender trappings to target an emotional soft spot courtesy of the sentiment and sincerity.
Later he lets loose with a rollicking version of Van Zandt’s “White Freight Liner Blues” and follows suit with an equally upbeat take on Supersuckers’ “Born with a Tail”.
 
Of course, Dayton’s seized on this strategy before. His last album, Mixtape Vol. 1, found him taking the same tack by varying both his sounds and his sources. So too, an earlier album devoted entirely to Friedman’s songs showed due reverence and respect. As an astute interpreter, Jesse Dayton has the skillset to shift his stance as needed. Going forward, that should make any effort he offers eagerly anticipated. (By Lee Zimmerman)
 
Listen and buy the music of Jesse Dayton from AMAZON
For more information, please visit the Jesse Dayton website

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