down home organic style
author: John Pfeiffer
EAST COAST ROCKER FEATURE
SHANGHAI TO MEMPHIS Eight-time Asbury Music Award nominee James Dalton is a singer-songwriter, actor, and sometime cricket match host. That's right, and he's also a mainstay of Jersey's current music and arts scene, making many contributions pertaining to music in our "Soprano"-land universe and way beyond. He has been lucky enough to perform in many different settings ranging from sideman to front man, ensemble member to lead actor, and solo artist to performance artist, all over the US and Europe and as far away as Asia.
Sometimes you run across a performer who just seems to know what he wants and goes out and grabs it.The first thing that impressed me with James Dalton is his apparent lack of fear of success. Fear of success is a common thing among musicians and has led many down the path of least resistance, but not this guy.
Dalton's been known as the long distance runner, a player that gets on a plane and tours Europe on a shoestring budget, usually self-promoted. He is yet another example of an artist that isn't satisfied with playing the same town, state or even continent over and over again without taking a walk on the wild side of the world, touring and playing in real life time.
He also has a one man show to debut in August entitled "Shanghai To Memphis,"or as he likes to call it, "Poorly Remembered, Badly Written Stories Of Music And Love"at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. I told you, this kid likes to travel, right?
Currently on tour with NY's Erin Sax Seymour, Dalton's sideman role has him playing harmonica, mandolin and guitar as they open for The Samples all across America. He called me from the road somewhere in Montana to tell me he was working on a couple writing projects, and developing a tv pilot due out sometime in July so he's never standing still. He's promised to bring back some interesting items and stories from the road.And knowing Dalton, I'm sure it will be good.
Dalton has recently been picked up by AERIA Records and is drumming up support online and on stage for his newest project entitled Butterflies And Passerbys. I recently took a listen and was immediately drawn into the down home organic style of his compositions. Songs Like "Sprout And Ivy,""House My Grandfather Built,"and "Somewhere With You" bring me back to Smoky Mountain memories and Tennessee splendor of a different time. Well done and worth grabbing if you can. John Pfeifer, East Coast Rocker
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Touring troubadour comes home
author: Richard Skelly
ROAD WARRIOR
Touring troubadour comes home
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 07/13/07
BY RICHARD SKELLY
CORRESPONDENT
James Dalton is nothing if not resourceful. The 33-year-old singer/songwriter has booked himself to perform in August at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. He also has booked himself at coffeehouses, bars and theaters in England, Ireland, Croatia, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark and elsewhere.
In addition, Dalton spent two months performing at a blues club in Shanghai, China, with the help of a New York-based booking agent.
Known on the Jersey Shore music scene as J-Pat, Dalton splits his time between Red Bank and Bay Head, where he was raised, when he isn't on the road. His latest is "Butterflies and Passerbys," released on the Asbury Park-based Aeria Records label.
While much of what he performs is based in the blues, his latest Aeria album reveals his singer/songwriter and contemporary folk singer side.
"I started getting into blues and roots music after a childhood of Crosby, Stills and Nash and ZZ Top," Dalton said. "One day after listening to the Grateful Dead and the Black Crowes, these "gateway bands,' I was in the record store and I saw this record for eight dollars. It was Howlin' Wolf, "Moanin' at Midnight.' Ever since then, I haven't been the same, and I was perhaps 18 at that time."
Dalton describes his latest album (he previously issued three self-released CDs) as a traveling folk album, "but with a blues base to it."
Dalton said patrons can expect more than just blues at Red Bank's Songwriters in the Park on Friday night.
"I won't necessarily be doing Howlin' Wolf tunes," he said. "By this point, I have a lot of original blues and other kinds of songs."
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One Life's Journey
author: Luna Musings
Mr. Dalton carefully crafts tasteful bluesy folk pop Europa/Americana on this handcrafted outing.
Heartfelt balladeering, whimsical reflection, a classic coming of age lyrical realization melded masterfully with harmonica, mandolin, guitar, and melodic but firm vocal statesmanship.
Essential listing for discerning fans of wandering minstrels..
Colie Brice
4:59 PM
April 11, 2007
Mastered by GRAMMY Winner Tom Ruff @ asburymedia.com
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