CD Review: “Giving Up the Ghost” by Jackie Greene

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

By Aaron Davis

The first thing that struck me about Jackie Greene’s new release “Giving Up the Ghost” (429 Records, 2008) was the tremendous production value. The only thing I knew about Greene before buying this album was that he’s based out of San Francisco and recently joined Phil Lesh and Friends. For certain, his solo work is no Grateful Dead spin-off, but it’s obvious why Lesh enlisted his talent.

At just 28 years old, this is Green’s sixth studio release. By 23, he had released three albums, a DVD and had a busy performance schedule. First dubbed a blues prodigy, the Northern Cali native moved in the folksy direction and now seems to be on a path of classic Americana - blues, country, rock and a dash of pop. The more I read about him, the more I realize his Dylan comparison. He’s a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, who writes music and doesn’t care if someone like me attempts to categorize it.

This album sounds really “big,” but you won’t get that feeling from a pair of iPod earphones. Do yourself a favor (at least on the first listen) and give it a proper spin on a good stereo. Co-produced by Greene and Steve Berlin of Los Lobos, the album interweaves great keyboards sounds, horn arrangements, acoustic tones, and smooth vocal reverbs and delays.

The first few lines of album opener “Shaken” make you wonder why he lives in his home state: “California is the place to be/I should warn ya about the things I’ve seen/You don’t fit in, you don’t belong/Your so-called friends will all be gone.” But he reconciles by giving it all a second chance. It’s the most thought out arrangement on the album with some pro layering and mixing.

One of the album’s best tracks is the acoustic, yet bass-heavy “I Don’t Live in a Dream,” with personal but thought-provoking lyrics. “Another Love Gone Bad,” where an accordion accompaniment sounds out of place, is one of the few oddities on what is otherwise an enjoyable album that has both instant satisfaction and depth.
The head-bopping “Don’t Let the Devil Take Your Mind” grew on me the most, with a really fun chorus lined with full horn section to push the groove.

The atmospheric “Prayer for Spanish” surprisingly dips into soft pop, while “Follow You” gives the album a late pick-me-up. An upbeat riff rocker, “Ghosts of Promised Lands” closes the album with a definite summer time, windows-down kind of vibe.

If you also dig the songwriting of Ryan Adams, you’re going to like this album on some level. I, for one, will be digging into the rest of Greene’s discography.

Courtesy photo

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CD Review: “Giving Up the Ghost” by Jackie Greene | Planet JH News Article: General Music Arts and Culture

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