Jackie Greene, American Myth

Tracks & Durations

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Review

This young Californian has apparently suffered from a case of mistaken artistic identity in his attempts to forge his own. The blazing guitar chops on this album's "Cold Black Devil/14 Miles" show why some consider him among the most promising of a new generation of bluesslingers, yet much of the material makes him sound more like a young Bob Dylan than the next Stevie Ray Vaughan. Though Dylan comparisons rarely do a developing artist any favors, it's hard to avoid them with the majestic, 10-minute build of "Supersede." Elsewhere, the horn arrangements of "So Hard to Find My Way" and "Close to You" evoke Van Morrison's California days, while the riffing of "Farewell, So Long, Goodbye" rocks like the Rolling Stones. Much of the rest is acoustic balladry that finds Greene achieving a musical intimacy that resists easy comparisons. A multi-instrumentalist featured on organ and piano as well as a variety of guitars, Greene benefits from the musical support of bassist Davey Faragher (Cracker) and drummer Pete Thomas (Elvis Costello's Attractions) and empathic production by Steve Berlin (Los Lobos). As a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, he's more than the sum of his very good influences. --Don McLeeseAmerican Myth features multi-instrumentalist Greene on vocals, guitars, dobro, piano, harmonica, and percussion. He is also joined by a top-notch band of Pete Thomas (drums, percussion, trash can), Davey Faragher (vocals, bass), both of whom are members of Elvis Costello's longtime group, The Imposters; and Val McCallum (vocals, guitars, banjo, slide guitar, baritone). Steve Berlin also contributes with turns on mellotron, vibes, and percussion, and the whole group is joined by a number of guest musicians including a slamming horn section on four of the album's tracks.

From the swamp-like feel of the anthemic opener "Hollywood," the record rolls right into the rollicking "So Hard to Find My Way." Greene shows off his range by cranking it up on the in-your-face "I'm So Gone" and the heartland rock of "Farewell, So Long, Goodbye" and dialing it back on the album's meditative "Love Song 2 a.m." and the wistful "Never Satisfied."

Greene's inspired songwriting, mastery of wordplay, and flawless composition technique are showcased throughout American Myth. Nowhere is that more evident than on the exquisite "Supersede," a catchy, melodic epic. Other standout tunes on the album include the powerful blues-soaked rocker "Cold Black Devil/14 Miles" and the plaintive "When You're Walking Away."

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