Jason Tyler Burton - Headwaters

Jason Tyler Burton

Headwaters
self-released; 2014

3.9 out of 5

By Eva Cantillo

Jason Tyler Burton is somewhat of a rogue musician. The multi-instrumentalist is from Kentucky and is currently living a nomadic lifestyle based out of Southern Utah. Burton’s music is genuine in terms of classic folk and bluegrass music. He was classically trained on the violin at a young age and having such a high-quality instrument at his disposition might have helped make his style what it is today.

Headwaters is a collection inspired by his nomadic adventures taken with his wife. While listening, you can really feel yourself gliding down a wide, open, inviting road through a magnificent andregal landscape. The music is humble yet carries a certain depth to it that allows you to fall into the melodies, lyrics, and simple instrumentals. 

“A Garden Grows” is a beautiful song that is greatly accompanied by a sweet female voice. Together, the harmonization makes the chorus “where gardens grows,” incredibly striking. Whilst listening, the true meaning behind the lyrics begins to show itself and Burton’s story starts to come to life; “he was born to be among the movers and shakers, all then got shook up and now they’re gone.” The song gives some background to Burton’s adventurous ways and also maybe telling the story of how he met his wife which makes the female harmonization far more powerful.

The song with the same name as the album has a serious demeanor listening allows us to dive deeper into the mind of Burton; “we went down to the riverbed… wood on the fire…in my head, waters run, say goodbye to the summer sun… gonna keep us moving along.” 

I can really imagine sitting by a fire in the depth of the forest just contemplating the next move on this rogue journey that Burton takes us along. This is a great concept album for anyone interested in folk music and Headwaters seems to be more of an epic poem amongst  a collection of songs.

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