Jesse Stone – Break Of Day

Montreal troubadour Jesse Stone made the move to Brooklynn to ply his trade with his mixture of Dylan and The Boss, and to record his debut album Break Of Day. This is a ten-song alternative roots album that was recorded and mixed in Montreal and mastered in Brooklyn. Stone called on a bevy of great players to create a big band sound on the record, including drummer Josh Trager of Sam Roberts Band. There’s also David Carbonneau on Trumpet, Dave Lines on keys, Josh Zubot on fiddle, Guy Donis on banjo, and a couple of guitarists. The clean sound was recorded by JUNO Award winner Joseph Donovan, who produced The Darcys, Sam Roberts, and The Dears; it was mixed by Dave Sturton, who produced James De Salvio of Bran Van 3000 and Jean Leloup.

The opening track, “Love on Charles Bridge,” is a rambling two-beat barrelhouse that sets the tone for Stone’s tongue-in-cheek, self-deprecating lyric style. The horn section ushers in that E Street Band style for “Promises.” Stone then goes old timey on “Fisherman,” with the banjo and snappy twang-filled guitar from Alex Sitarski making a fine support to the vocal shouts. The soft blues number titled “Don’t Come Around” lilts along nicely with fiddle and Melodica giving counterpoint that emphasizes the vulnerability in Stone’s tenor. The muscular roots rocker “Fortress” has indie pop radio potential, with its easy sing along chorus. Zach Creachman trades vocal lines with Stone for the neo-folk stomper “Life Lonely Road,” adding fire to the Avett Brothers-styled track. Album closer “Don’t Apologize” sums up Stone’s worldview with sage advice: “Don’t feel sorry for the rules that you break / It won’t help you much once you made the mistake / Learn what you can and be on your way / Just do better next time.” Words many of us need to hear.  

Jessestone.com 

Jesse Stone – Break Of Day (Self)