Search - Jesse Dayton, Brennen Leigh :: Holdin Our Own

Twangy duets of lovin', leavin' and everything in between

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 12/14/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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]"

Duet Again

Michael R. Wilson | Houston, Tx | 07/03/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

True to the meaning of "Country Duets"

M. Rubin | Orange County, CA | 01/07/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."