Jefferson Grizzard review…January 16, 2016…

JEFFERSON GRIZZARD

DAYDREAM OF HOPE

BACK PORCH SYNDICATE RECORDS

GIVE ME A SIGN–WE’RE JUST KIDS, BABE–ADELAIDE–LONELY SENORITA–SINNERS LIKE ME (CAN’T BE SAVED)–FALLOUT FRENZY–ALL THAT WE CAN DO IS TRY–HONEY, YOU CAN TREAT ME WRONG–DAYDREAM OF HOPE

Jefferson Grizzard is one of those songwriters that draw you into his world as you listen to his stories.  His latest effort, for Back Porch Syndicate Records, is a nine-originals set entitled “Daydream Of Hope.”  Herein, he’s looking out for all of us and the world as well with tales of love, loss, hope, pain, and ultimate (hopeful) redemption.

That sentiment kicks off the set with the tale of a broken man, asking the Lord to “Give Me A Sign” as he contemplates leaving the town he grew up in.  “We’re Just Kids, Babe,” traces a pair of mistake-prone lovers who are on the run, becoming a 21ST Century Bonnie and Clyde in the process.  Both these cuts will bring to mind early Springsteen or Tom Petty with the song structures and instrumentation.  That same vibe also runs strong thru the story of a man who knows “All We Can Do Is Try,” when “everybody’s sinking down low.”

“Lonely Senorita” is a wistful tune dealing with a one-night stand with this young lady, as Jefferson longs to “catch your sunrise smile.”  This one has pedal steel from the venerable Dan Dugmore, also.

Our favorite was easy.  It’s set over a lively calypso beat that belies the intense subject matter, as Jefferson realizes that redemption seems futile, as “Sinners Like Me (Can’t Be Saved).

With “Daydream Of Hope,” Jefferson Grizzard takes a look at the world, with all its good and bad, thru the eyes of Everyman.  His deft use of carefully-chosen words gives his characters a life of their own, and this set is just begging to be heard!  Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society.