Jesse Dayton Hey Nashvegas

Jesse Dayton’s "Hey Nashvegas!" is good, vintage country with that special Texas undercurrent. Jesse’s description of this release is that it is, "the record I would make if they took me to Nashville and handed me the keys and said do what you want." And that he has. It was recorded in Nashville with his newly formed label, Stag. The recording location was an old church on Music Row, but is definitely a No-Line-Dancin’ Texas production without all that over worked Nashville flitter and glitter. However, don’t underestimate this collection; the music is extremely complex and varied. There is plenty of 2-stepping, waltzing, jitter bugging, western swinging, Tejano, and even some Elvis-like honky blues that is fundamentally Texan. His smooth and pleasing baritone and insightful songwriting are the essence of this work. But Lordy, does he have a cast of talented buds to help him blend it just right. The list of credits is truly awesome: Johnny Gimble, Floyd Domino, Flaco Jimenez, Jim Lauderdale, Dixie Chicks, and Mandy Barnett are just some of the names he drops for this one. Jesse solo authored 10 of the 13 tracks; co-authored 2 more; and the remaining is a cover of Bruce Robison and Jim Lauderdale. The variety and the "Jesse" stamp on each of these selections gives me the shivery premonition that Jesse has been a somnambulistic broadband talent that has awakened into his own.

Even though the whole CD is a musical smorgasbord, there are a couple of cuts that truly stand out. My favorite cut is "Panhandle Jane". This western swing boogie, with the help of the Dixie Chicks vocals and Johnny Gimble’s fiddle, sounds like it came straight out of Bob Wills’ personal songbook. Other performers doing western swing better take some lessons from this man; he has it nailed. You just can’t sit still when this one rolls.

"Heartbreak California" is another that captured my heart. It’s got that touch of Tejano accordian and mariachi horn that immediately takes you to visions of sleepy, hazy south Texas days. The "I Dream Too" duet with Jim Lauderdale (who also co-authored this piece) is pure delightful harmony. Then "Roses Ain’t Enough" has that earthy Elvis rockabilly stutter that, nevertheless, comes across as pure Jesse Texan.

"Hey Nashvegas!" is Jesse Dayton’s third solo release. Jesse hales from Beaumont, Texas, where he grew up under the influence of the mighty George Jones (who just happened to go to high school with Jesse’s dad). He also admired the legendary Doug Sahm. Although Jesse’s style is uniquely his own, you can still detect their influence if you listen closely. Jesse started as a drummer, then migrated to the guitar. He did Austin as a guitar picker for a while. He spent several years with the Road Kings (80s & 90s) and released several albums leading that trio. He even spent some time working in the California music world. He’s toured with George Strait, played with Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, & Ray Price to name just a few. Solo album number four is due out in 2002 and planned as predominantly acoustic with fiddle, dobro, harmonica, banjo, piano, and lots of guitar. Needless to say, I’m already salivating.

Written by Cheryl Arthur, March 2002

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Editor's Note: This CD is available through Jesse's website, CD Now, Lone Star Music and in many record stores

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