Customer Reviews

Holdin Our Own

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4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(2)

 

 

The country duet is a long venerated tradition most famously fueled by the tension of a marriage (George & Tammy, Johnny & June), family (Delmores, Louvins, Everlys, Kendalls), or long-standing professional relationship (Porter & Dolly). Many recent duets, in country, hip-hop and beyond seem to be sales events rather than actual artistic confluences. Still, in between marriages, families and marketing wet-dreams sit one-off partnerships built from the chemistry of friendship and shared musical values. Such is the pairing of honky-tonk maverick Jesse Dayton with newcomer Brennen Leigh, mixing originals and covers that bring out the conversational thrill of duet work.

Dayton sings in a low voice that shades to Jones and Jennings, while Leigh's background leans to bluegrass and gospel; Dayton provides the salty anchor to Leigh's sass on covers of George & Tammy ("Somethin' to Brag About") and Johnny & June ("Long Legged Guitar Pickin' Man"). Leigh sings in the same range as fellow Austinite Kelly Willis, and her twang is surprisingly effective given her origins in the northern reaches of Minnesota. Dayton's baritone shaves the adolescence from The Everly Brothers "Brand New Heartache."

The album's originals keep this from turning into a simple exercise in nostalgia. The rollicking two-step tex-mex opener, "Let's Run Away," finds Datyon and Leigh singing in tandem, dreaming of leaving their problems as they escape to the four corners of the world. They taunt each other as they try to dance away bad memories on "Two Step Program," and put on false appearances to cover the broken romance of "Everything Looks Good (On the Outside)." The album's twangy moments include the up-tempo banjo bluegrass of "Somethin' Somebody Said" and the bittersweet ballad "We Hung the Moon." The latter sports superb Santo & Johnny styled pedal steel in support of vocals that arch plaintively into falsetto.

If Faith & Tim aren't you're idea of a real country duet (and recent collaborations between Caitlin Cary & Thad Cockrell and Rick Shea & Patty Booker are more your cup of Texas tea), this is a disc worth your attention. [©2007 hyperbolium dot com]

Listen to this dynamic Texas duo and you will fall in love with country music. They both have successful albums on their own, however when they sing together its pure magic.

These two harmonize so nicely together as well bring their own personalities to each song.
This is a marvelous cd. If you like old classic country, roots, americana style music ~ you'll truly enjoy
this recording.

I had a hard time reading these Americana cripples pan this disc. After listening to this I'm left to wonder one thing. If you don't like this, then what do you like? This is one of the best authentic duet releases in years. Jesse Dayton and Brennen Leigh are long-time fixtures in the world of real music and hence, this is where the trouble starts with certain reviews. If you're a fan of Celine Dion, or if you like to decorate for a hobby, chances are that your coyboy boots are bright neon signature brands that look like they belong on the sidewalks of West Nashville. This is stricly East music Chumps. If you don't like something, that's ok but to review this type of music when you clearly belong at a Barbara Streisand concert inspires me to offer you a pickle-stabber in the core of your assets. For all others, do not miss this one!

I was lucky enough to see Brennen Leigh in concert a few times when I lived in Texas, and every time I was just blown away. This album just proves that she is one of the most exciting, if little-known, things going on in *real* country music right now. If you like this album, check out her latest solo release, Devil's on My Trail. It rocks. I also recommend her first two albums but am not sure how widely available they are.

I'm less familiar with Jesse Dayton but I hope to rectify that -- I bought a few of his solo efforts after hearing him on this album.

I've had this album ever since it came out, back in the winter (I think), and still days go by where it's all I want to listen to (and I buy a *lot* of music). Seven of the songs are apparently originals, but they're all instant classics in my book. "We Lost It" in particular nearly makes me cry every time, and makes me hope that someday someone will write a great country song about one of *my* failed relationships. Ha.

Anyway, just buy it, and if you don't like it, send it on to me 'cause I'm sure I'm about to wear out my copy.

This is one lucky find. Jesse Dayton and his band were in a town I was in, and although I didn't go, I went over to his site just to check out his sound. Talk about serendipity - this is a full serving of classic country in the vein of Tammy & George, or Loretta & Conway. This album is proof that quality country music is out there and can be done right. I absolutely love the vocals of Jesse and Brennen, and the musicianship is first-class all the way. Great originals along with some covers you'll definitely recognize, this is one set I can't believe hasn't garnered more attention. That's ok in a way; kind of your own secret favorite that most people don't know about but you - yet you want to share it with everyone you know who appreciates honky-tonk and roadhouse done just right. Damn, now if only I'd gone to that show...if I only knew then what I know now! Well now you know.

Dayton's weakest release to date. If this continues, he could screw up his very appealing "brand". There is no chemistry between these two; if a duet must occur, he needs a strong Wanda Jackson or Reba type opposite. (And only one song, not an entire CD!) This is not George and Tammy, here. Hope Dayton returns to the sparkle and intelligence of his first 3 releases. He's a very appealing "lonesome observer", a story teller. He doesn't need this fifth wheel.

I listen to this one time and thought it was poor quality. Really bad. They can't sing and even though the songs are good ones and are old ones, the singing just ruins them. Texas