I'm late to the party once again.
I dismissed Jackie Greene's records for years based on a few half-assed spins. Not sure what it was I heard that turned me off, but I've since become a fan, courtesy of recurring high praise from my friend Jeff. K.
But that's not why I'm here. Not really. I'm here because the aforementioned Mr. K. has also piled it on high about The Skinny Singers, Jackie Greene's big fun side project with Tim Bluhm, leader of The Mother Hips, another band that did nothing for me the one or two times I gave an ear.
Together, Greene & Bluhm, (not to be confused with the law firm on Nostrand Avenue), have put together a collection of what they themselves call "garage blues." That's pretty accurate. Call it what you want, the record is a blast. You can listen to some of it over at their My Space page, or all of it on Spotify.
I've been enjoying these two videos from their record release party a few years back especially the fab cover of "Sugaree" with Phil Lesh.
7 comments:
I've never heard of Jackie Green, but based on the videos, I'd say he has more music in him than most.
He sings and plays good.
The Mother Hips has to be one of the worst band names ever. Back in the '90's I bought two of their cd's out of the crates from Sal, "Part Timer Goes Full" and "Shoot Out". Both of which are almost entirely great.
I'm not sure what they sound like these days. I didn't follow up.
I'm surprised Sal didn't like them in that they have elements I know he likes. Rootsy with a little Brian Wilson in evidence.
Sometimes it's all in the timing.
Wow Buzz. I don't remember the MOther Hips sounding like that at all. I have a vague memory of thinking they sounded like Blues Traveler. (Maybe I was listening to Blues Traveler.) I must go back and listen.
Anyone that can play guitar and keys well enough to solo like that, and sing to boot, gets my attention.
That's talent.
Sal, I'll see that you hear the right pair of Mother Hips tunes.
There's an excellent Gov't Mule concert from Halloween 2009 featuring Jackie Green at Tower Theatre. Over two hours of Rolling Stones' covers. Outstanding listening experience!
The Skinny Singers cat is out of the bag but it does my aching heart good. A fantastic album, but now you have me singing "My Baby's Got a Mustache" and I can't get it out of my head.
Jackie Greene is the great unknown Americana artist. His albums are uniformly the kind that will stay on the CD pile for years. He's also on my short list of musicians whose music I will buy on day one of release, no questions asked. It's out, I want it. There are maybe a half a dozen others for me who are on that list (which used to be much longer).
Jackie has sang the National Anthem at Giants' baseball games. There is almost a melancholy to the understated way he sings it and plays his guitar.
Post a Comment