Reviews
I haven’t got a large music vocabulary. In fact, somewhat surprisingly for someone who likes to write, I haven’t got much of a vocabulary at all (for which I am constantly shameful). But when it comes to music (as I imagine someone – perhaps Popeye –might say), I knows what I likes.
What I likes, as far as popular music is concerned, can come from anywhere. There’s no specific genre. Some I’ve got more chance of liking than others yeah, but only because of the stuff out there, and the artists producing it. The only thing I can think of that links all the music I like together over the stuff I don’t, is the ability to gain control over me. I need it to make me move, or sing, or dance. Even just a hum, a toe-tap, or simply a smile.
When recently asked to describe Lester Clayton’s music, I found the task unduly difficult. I placed it somewhere between Soul, Funk, and maybe Blues? Upon reflection it can also be said to originate from an acoustic area, whilst moving into reggae. But just naming as many musical genres as possible and hoping to hit with one of them doesn’t really describe a band or their music. I was no closer to an answer, or at least one I was happy with. Eventually I just gave up on the whole thing and ended with, “It cheers me up, puts me in a good mood”. Again, on reflection I might add now that perhaps because of his songs’ self-proclaimed Summer-style, Mr. Clayton + Band’s songs would literally and figuratively make one feel like the sun is shining when it isn’t.
Contact Lester through Facebook, or MySpace for details of upcoming gigs. I seriously suggest you check it out, before this guy starts selling out mega-stadium tours and you need to camp outside the 02 for 3 weeks just to get a standing ticket.
If you don’t believe me, or more likely don’t understand my incoherent drivelings, here are some more professional people’s reviews:
BorderCountiesAdvertizer.co.uk
Likening himself to Jack Johnson, acoustic singer/songwriter Lester Clayton describes his music as "Summer songs about understanding amongst people and other topics young people can relate to."
Lester said: "We are very laid back and mix reggae, pop, soul and folk.
"My band is made up of myself, a Rastafarian percussionist and a Cypriot bass player, and I'd like to think we represent something real which the current music scene is missing, where colour and the way we look isn’t more important than the music, and that is the message we try to get across to youth.”
“We have a documentary being made about us at the moment, which will be shown on Youtube and hopefully some TV at some point in the future!
"It's all really exciting to be honest," he added.
Tourdates.co.uk
Lester Clayton and his band have fast become one of the most exciting bands on the UK acoustic scene, combining Folk, Soul and Funk, making a unique sound!
When asked about his music Lester says. 'Its very positive!!! Its all about learning to try to understand each other, I’m a bit of a hippy deep down so I just try to keep things calm and put a smiley spin on life, with a bit of a quirk thrown in!''
After 200 gigs, support slots with Just Jack, Pete Doherty, performances with Leona Lewis and other gigs up and down the country, as well as running 2 successful nights in London Lester Clayton, still only 22, is becoming experienced beyond his years, which can be heard in his lyrics and song-writing ability.
Sellindge Music Festival
Lester Clayton’s music career began when he penned a song as a last minute A-level project in 2005 and was followed by a similarly humble live debut at an open mic night. From local pubs he ventured to Uganda, immediately falling not only for the African rhythms he encountered, but for their entire way of life too. The following year he returned to England, taking his new-found way of life into the studio with him.
2007 saw things really take off for Lester, when he formed a band from the oddballs he’d met at various open mic nights. Sharing the same vision of positivity and a harmonious understanding of their music, their first gig was supporting Just Jack in January and was followed by a flurry of further performances, including Leona Lewis’ winners party.
Lester Clayton - Brought to you by James Wormald -