Customer Reviews

American Myth

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'd like to preface this review by saying that I've been playing music for about twenty years and I own about a thousand CDs. And up to this point in my life I've written exactly one other CD review. That's how strongly I felt about this artist and this record.

Just when I was getting ready to lose faith in American music, along comes a Jackie Greene in the nick of time. The late Duane Allman once said "you can never sound exactly like someone else, so you might as well not try." What he was saying is that while it is necessary to learn from and copy others to learn how to play, write and sing, ultimately it will be an artist's responsibility to create their own sound lest they fade into obscurity. Jackie Greene has done that so well that I stand in awe. Throughout this album you will hear echoes of dozens of great R&B, country, blues, rock, pop and soul artists from the past, however, the sound is Jackie Greene throughout. I was amused by the Amazon review that states "This young Californian has apparently suffered from a case of mistaken artistic identity in his attempts to forge his own" as if someone said "Jackie Greene, in this life thou shalt be a blues player." That notion is absurd. An artist with the talent of Jackie Greene would never be content with that. He is gifted enough to explore songwriting, melody and harmony far beyond the stretches of a single genre. This is music that makes you glad you are alive; music that will find you driving down the road and make you think of life in a way you haven't thought of before. Perhaps most importantly, this is decidedly American music: A wake up call in a time where our homogenous, wal-mart, Clear Channel culture is destroying us from the inside out.

As to the music itself, despite the predominant use of major keys and major scale based melodies, this is a dark album. The opener "Hollywood" sets the haunting tone and the album never really deviates from that. The playing is as relaxed as a Sunday afternoon in Georgia, yet intense as a '67 Mustang going through the gears on a dark curvy road. The musicianship is first rate and Steve Berlin's stellar production adds an ethereal quality to it all. But the real star is the material itself. Twenty-five year old Jackie Greene writes with the wisdom of someone who has lived three lifetimes. The range of emotions and images he manages to conjure up within the span of a single record is just stunning. Honestly, I can't imagine where the guy comes up with this stuff. I cried tears of joy when I heard in "So Hard To Find My Way" where he proclaims "She turns heads whenever she's walkin, she never speaks, she lets her body do the talkin, She's daddy's little baby girl, but she ain't living in daddy's world." And "Supercede" is without a doubt the "Desolation Row" of a generation that will never hear Highway 61. ***Every song on here is a winner.*** What's even more amazing is that Jackie sings these songs with the voice of a two pack a day 20 year roadhouse veteran. This is the CD that I've been waiting for an American artist to make for years now. In a world of remakes, re-issues, copycats, manufactured talent, auto-tune, and American Idol, you will be refreshed and relieved to know that Jackie Greene is the genuine article. This may be the best pop/rock album of this decade to date.

I sincerely hope that Jackie can keep his life under control and stick around a while. Artists this good tend to die early. Especially the geniuses. Jackie if you read this, try to stick around man. We need more people like you, not less. I can't wait to see what's next.

Like another reviewer, I've been an amateur player a long time (40 years), although I've never written a review before.

I went to an Elvis Costello (with Allen Toussaint) concert last night at the Montreal Jazz Festival, and didn't even know there was an opening act. I believe that he was actually introduced as "Jimmy Green". I'd never heard of him, and out strolls this kid who looks 18 years old. I prepare to sleep for half an hour.

WRONG!!! This kid has serious talent. The first thing that goes through my mind is: a young Bob Dylan (but with a voice). His songwriting is that good. Then, after a couple of songs, I'm thinking: a young Bruce Springsteen, because he works so hard at weaving many influences and styles into his music. Finally, after a couple of (all-too-brief) turns on the B3, it's: a young Steve Winwood, because he's just so smooth and soulful.

Later on (the next morning), after researching this kid on the 'net, I find out that he's got about 4 albums out already, and I've never heard of him! Maybe that's what comes from living in Canada. Anyway, I also realized that you can't pigeon-hole a budding musical genius like Jackie Greene. Just listen to him, and revel in his musicianship. I'm going to run out and buy American Myth today!

I've been following Jackie Greene for about three years now, watched and listened as he played Sacramento clubs, bought each album he made and wore it out. There's always the possibility that an artist will stay too long in a certain style and become dull and predictable, but then again, if that artist strays too far from where he started, he might lose his fan base. This album is proof that neither is going to happen to Jackie Greene. American Myth is the best Jackie Greene recording I have ever heard, and that, to me, anyway, is saying something. This album rocks you, seduces you, challenges you to meet it at its own level. The musicianship, as always, is superb, and Greene's songwriting skills make for some of the most intelligent and thought-provoking lyrics you are likely to hear. I have so many favorites that it's ridiculous to list them. Not one dull song, no disappointments anywhere. Just the joy of listening to a performer who is pretty much standing alone among his contemporaries. And he's standing on very high ground.

No doubt about it. I saw that this guy was playing with two bands that I love (Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, and BoDeans) this summer, so I figured I'd buy his album and I was blown away. I bought "gone wanderin' and this American Myth, and right away loved ALL songs on both. That just doesn't happen that often, so I instantly bought his other two cd's and his DVD. And then I saw him live and was even more impressed. He can rock out, he can play soft, he can do it all. Can't wait to see him at summerfest in a week. He's also taper friendly, which is huge. I love live, and Jackie Greene and his band live were awesome. I wish I could travel more to see some shows! Anyway, buy this. You won't regret it

as a longtime fan of jackie i was really looking forward to this and it does not disappoint at all - in fact quite the opposite. it is really wild to me how good this kid is as a songwriter and musician.....unlike some others who'd like to freeze him in timei have been hoping for him to have an album that more reflects his live shows (his band is a reall rock & roll thang) and this is it . . . put it in, crank it up, rinse & repeat

Jackie has released an awesome album here. His ingenious song writing coupled with the amazing Imposters(Elvis Costello) band has ended in an absolute success. Anyone that says this album has too much pop influence needs to open their eyes. What Jackie has done is captured the essence of American rock & roll and then present it to us in a variety of forms. One of my personal favorite songs is a re-release of an older song, Never Satisfied. So Long, Farewell, Goodbye and I'm So Gone showcase both the unbelievable talent of Jackie Greene and of the Imposters. This album is a new chapter in the Jackie Greene legacy, but let us not think of it as much of a change from the past. Jackie has continued to stay close to his roots; deeply buried in the heart of rock & roll. For fans that long for Jackie to don his porkpie hat and harmonica rack once again, this record should not be a dissappointment, but should incite them to rekindle their love for this unbelivable musician. Besides, if you can't grow with an artist, then maybe you don't truely love their art.

I've been a fan for over a year now, since seeing Jackie live. I just got this record in the mail...and it totally rocks! It's a much, much different sound for him but I personally think it suits him fine. I don't think it's poppy at all, actually quite the opposite. I read an interview where he talks about how the record was made, and it was made using all real instruments and old equipment. That doesn't like a pop-style record to me....and I think perhaps the last reviewer missed the point of "Supersede" entirely. Personally, I think it's a great idea for a song. How many songs can you name that even use the word "suersede", let alone the title?? GREAT WORK JACKIE!!!

I just recently went to a concert in Kitchener Canada to see Buddy Guy. We did not know if there was an opening act, but when we arrived we all were pleasantly surprised to find Jackie Greene up on stage. He would go from the piano to the guitar while playing the harmonica. Absolutely amazing to see live. I would strongly recommend seeing him in concert.

I purchased American Myth from the performance that I saw that night. As I was buying it, Jackie came out to greet all his fans and to sign the albums. It was a really genuine act from him.

The car ride home from the concert we were listening to this album the whole way. It is a fantastic album. His ability to play and song write are not seen often these days. I would strongly recommend purchasing this album and if possible, seeing him live in concert. He is the next Bob Dylan of our time.

"American Myth" by Jackie Greene is a terrific CD that combines strong songwriting with creative performance & arrangement. My favorite track, "So Hard to Find My Way," zoomed to #1 on my personal top ten last autumn & was on my "Soundtrack to 2006" compilation of favorite tracks. Greene hits a catchy groove complete with Stax-like horn chart & Jackie's vocal swagger, "She turns heads wherever she's walking, she never speaks, she lets her body do the talking, & she's daddy's little baby girl, but she ain't living in daddy's world." It's an upbeat gem, a classic track. "Just As Well" is another diamond with a slower pace and Greene's hushed voice -- part purr, part persuasion -- set amidst Pete Thomas' delightful percussion, "So tell me sister, what's the use; Ain't nothing but a singer, got my head up in the noose; Somebody cut me loose!" "Love Song; 2:00 AM" is a pretty track backed in folk fashion with acoustic guitar while "Cold Black Devil/14 Miles" thunders like Cream-era electric blues-rock. "Farewell, So Long, Goodbye" perks addictively as Greene cops an attitude with bold vocal bluster, "I jumped right out of your window & I fell right on the ground; I wish you would have told me that your man was still in town." Other tracks like "I'm So Gone" are also strong. This CD builds on the strengths of "Sweet Somewhere Bound" and promises much to come from this superb singer. "American Myth" sticks in your ear while it tickles you pink! Enjoy!

Jackie Greene simply shines on this album. He took two steps forward, no steps back, and turned out a collection that is as varied and layered as his influences seem to be. His voice is noticibly stronger and more refined than on his previous efforts, and the musicianship on this album is top-of-the-line. True rock'n'roll fans rejoice: with this album Greene proves that there is at least one young artist making creative and inspired music even as the artistic standards of the mainstream music industry crumble around his feet. I only hope Greene finds a large enough audience that recognizes quality when they hear it, so we can continue to enjoy the evolution of a truly rare talent. In short (just in case it didn't go without saying), I highly recommend this album to any thinking music fan.