JD Clayton and his band are the real deal.
If you’re looking for proof, look no further than his brand new record Blue Sky Sundays. Featuring seven original tracks that showcase Clayton’s deft lyrical prowess alongside two awesome covers that he and his band make their own, the Arkansas native’s sophomore effort seems to mark makes quite the leap from his already impressive 2023 debut Long Way From Home.
Titled after a lyric in “Slow & Steady,” a song that thematically encompasses the project’s living in the moment, easy going feel, Blue Sky Sundays is the product of a band that is firing on all cylinders after honing their sound on the road over the last few years. It seems as if they have come into their own with a unique sound that builds upon Clayton’s brand of soulful folk rock with tasteful pop sensibilities, and oozes with confidence and conviction in the direction the band is headed.
Having recently left Nashville and returned to his home state of Arkansas, it seems to be paying off for Clayton getting out of the hustle and bustle of Music City. But opting to self-produce the project as he felt that was the best approach to showcase his talented band, Clayton and company returned to Nashville to record this record at the legendary Sound Emporium Studios, and worked with Vance Powell, who his best known for his work with Chris Stapleton and Sturgill Simpson, to mix the album.
Clayton elaborated a bit on how this project came to be and what sets it apart from his previous work:
“When I made my first album I’d never been on the road, but after touring so much over the past few years my band is extremely dialed-in. I wanted to make a record that showcased what’s special about each of my bandmates, and I knew the best way to do that was to produce it myself.
Life is crazy and it’s got a lot of blemishes, and I believe that music should too. These songs all come from us locking ourselves in the studio and really having fun with the sons, and I think that’s the heart of this album.”
Rolling out six of the albums tracks as singles or as part of his recent OurVinyl Sessions EP prior to the full release, the three brand new songs tie up the record into a singular cohesive project, and add to a track list that brings the heat from start to finish.
Starting with my personal favorite on the record in the funk-infused track “Let You Down,” Blue Sky Sundays features several songs that seem to be an introspective look into Clayton’s journey thus far, as well as a handful of songs that capture his impressive storytelling ability.
Rounding out the project are two covers that fit perfectly within the album’s ethos – An interpolation of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Mississippi Kid” that pays homage to his Arkansas roots, as well as a beautiful rendition of Tracy Chapman’s 1995 hit “Give Me One Reason.”
Listen to a few favorites from JD Clayton’s self-produced sophomore album Blue Sky Sundays here:
“Dirt Roads of Red”
“Madelene”
“Give Me One Reason”
“Goodnight”
Accompanying Clayton on the record are drummer/percussionist Kirby Bland, Lee Matthew Williams on bass, Bo Aleman slinging electric and slide guitar, Hank Long on Piano and Organ, and guitarist/mandolinist Pat Lyons. And as you can tell after listening through Blue Sky Sundays, these guys are an absolute force together.
While I haven’t had the privilege of witnessing it myself yet, it sounds like Clayton and the boys put on quite the live show, too. There are only a few opportunities on the schedule to see JD Clayton live over the next few months, but I’d assume another tour is in the works in support of Blue Sky Sundays, so keep an eye out for more dates to be announced.
3/7 – Wild West Winter Block Party – West Yellowstone, MT*
3/13 – Luck Reunion – Spicewood, TX*
4/21 – 1884 Lounge – Memphis, TN^
6/20 – Holland International Blues Festival – Grollo, Netherlands*
*festival date
^supporting John Vincent III
