Review by Amanda Daubert – Singer/songwriter JD Clayton’s debut LP Long Way From Home will feel like anything but that for fans of American County, with a dash of Southern Rock. So if you like your sweet tea with a shot of whiskey, this album is for you. Written and recorded with a beautiful simplicity this album is an easy listen, and that sentiment is meant with the highest regard.
As a soothing wake-up, intro track “Hello, Good Mornin’” feels like being handed a warm cup of coffee on your front porch as you watch the sunrise over the horizon of a great album. Now that you’re up and ready to start your week, “American Millionaire” will have you tapping the toes of your boots as you listen to the inner dialogue of a hardworking man trying to make his way to the top, a feat that isn’t an unlikely possibility for Clayton.
Turning up the heat, and the southern twang, we have “Beauty Queen,” an honest and upbeat love song as beautiful as the woman it’s about. Almost as a prequel to “Beauty Queen” we have “Goldmine,” which seemingly portrays the events leading to finding his beauty queen goldmine.
Next up is the title track “Long Way From Home.” The song’s story is as personal as it is familiar for traveling musicians, detailing the struggle and sacrifices you make while chasing your dreams, understanding the closer you get the further you can feel from the ones you love and the place you call home.
Transporting you to a dingy dive bar after a break-up, there’s only one song to select from the dusty jukebox, and that’s “Heartaches After Heartbreak.” Another familiar storyline with the accompaniment of a fantastic soundtrack. Lightening the mood we have the airy “Cotton Candy Clouds,” a song you can’t help but way to. Next, highlighting Clayton’s skillful country-crooning is “Midnight Special,” a future honkey-tonk staple.
With an honest look inside we have “Different Kind of Simple Life,” a track that features lyrics so many will relate to, with messages that we all need to hear sometimes. Lastly, from morning to night, we have “Sleepy Night in Nashville,” a song in a dreamy state that could easily be sung from the center circle of the Ryman Auditorium.
This well-rounded album has the charm of a true southern gentleman, written with an unmistaken honesty, featuring songs that describe the ordinary in an extraordinary way. When asked about the album Clayton said “I tried my best with these songs,” and his best is pretty damn good.
Catch JD Clayton on tour now and be sure to check out Long Way From Home out everywhere today.
Track List:
1 – Hello, Good Mornin’
2 – American Millionaire
3 – Beauty Queen
4 – Goldmine
5 – Long Way From Home
6 – Heartaches After Heartbreak
7 – Cotton Candy Clouds
8 – Midnight Special
9 – Different Kind of Simple Life
10 – Sleep Night in Nashville
