I had the pleasure of attending Jeff Dayton’s Glen Campbell tribute show in Edinburgh’s sumptuous The Voodoo Rooms, ballroom and it was an unforgettable experience. Dayton’s heartfelt performance truly captured the essence of Glen Campbell’s music and career.
Chatting with Jeff before the show it was clearly evident that this was a man who’s whole life revolved around music, be it composing, playing, teaching or still learning himself and he is very passionate about it all and very much enjoys passing on his knowledge via his stage shows.
A proud ‘McDonald’ he regaled me with stories of his ancestors landing in the new land of America just months after the first pilgrims debarked from The Mayflower and making their home in Minnesota. The other stories were mostly music based but these are ones you should hear from the man himself so please take the opportunity to catch one of his gigs if in a venue near you as they are well worth hearing.
From the moment Jeff Dayton took to the stage, his passion for Glen Campbell the man and his music was evident. His vocals were spot-on, reminiscent of Campbell’s smooth and melodic voice. The pianist and bass player accompanying him were exceptional, recreating the iconic sound of Campbell’s hits flawlessly.
As I mentioned one of the big highlights of the show was the storytelling aspect, where Jeff shared anecdotes and insights into Glen Campbell’s life and career. This added a personal touch to the performance and helped the audience connect even more with the music.
The song selection was impeccable, featuring all of Campbell’s greatest hits, including classics like “Rhinestone Cowboy,” “Wichita Lineman,” Southern Nights”, “Galveston” and “Gentle on My Mind.” Each song was performed with such authenticity and emotion that at times it felt like Campbell himself was on stage.
Jeff and the band also played some of his own compositions and they really did stand up well against the Campbell classics we had already heard, the bass player also got in on the act singing a CCR song which went down well with near sold out appreciative audience.
Overall, Jeff Dayton’s Glen Campbell tribute show is a must-see for fans of country and classic rock music. It’s a heartfelt tribute to a legendary artist, and it left me with a deep appreciation for the timeless music of Glen Campbell and of Jeff himself.
Photographs and Review by Stuart Stott
