Jesse Dayton - Mixtape Vol. 1
Jesse Dayton has played with some of the greats including Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings as well as performing with his own excellent band for years, they went down a storm at Red Rooster this summer with their refreshing attitude. On that occasion he debuted a cover of Bankrobber telling us how he saw The Clash aged 14 and "They changed my life!" It is one of the covers on this collection of his influences across the genres that are assembled on Mixtape Volume 1 and given his distinctive stamp to on a hugely enjoyable record where punk and country meet.
On this album he interprets songs by Elton John, Neil Young, Springsteen, ZZ Top, AC/DC, Dr. Feelgood et al; acts that influenced and formed the musician he became. With the punk spirit from that Clash epiphany, the bands he saw play in his native Texas and the outlaw greats he later played with he's given these songs a punk and outlaw attitude in country-rock, honky tonk and rockabilly interpretations that all sit surprisingly well together.
State Trooper, She Does it Right, Whole Lotta Rosie are outstanding treats given the Jesse Dayton badass treatment and the whole album is a joy for fans of proper, old-school country and punk spirit. Kick back and turn it up, this is great stuff!
9.5/10
