Jesse Dayton – Mixtape Volume 1

A country twist on an array of top-hit tracks 

Jesse Dayton takes tunes to the next level with his newest album, Mixtape Volume 1. This album features covers from multiple eclectic artists with his similar style. Some of the artists include Jackson Brown, Neil Young, Elton John, AC/DC, Bruce Springsteen and more. He blends rock, old school country, and flairs of punk throughout the 10-track album.

Dayton surely diversifies his genre with this fresh album. He kicks it off with a cover of Jackson Browne’s, “Redneck Friend.” In this cover, Dayton adds his own country taste, signifying the authentic track while staying true to its original arrangement. The instruments replicate the original track, with a more subtle sounding percussion. Dayton puts his twist with his raspy and country-sounding voice, boosting the track to endure more of a folk-country vibe.

Another track where Dayton adds a country twist is Elton John’s, “Country Comfort.” While the song begins with the classic piano similar to the original track, Dayton puts his own original twang into the song, constructing a more folk vibe. The harmonica in Dayton’s cover also seems to be more prominent throughout the chorus.

Unlike the similar replicated tracks, Dayton completely transforms Cars’, “Just What I Needed.” He slows down the track slightly, adding melodic synth and a more folk sounding electric guitar. For the chorus, instead of using the electric sounding keyboard that it is heard in the original, the changes the style completely with multiple violins in harmony. This turns the post-punk/new wave track into a folk-country genre.

This fun, dynamic set brings out Dayton’s creativity and style. He can truly take any track and successfully make it into his own by infusing each cover with an energy never before seen or heard.