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Alastair Greene - "Standing Out Loud" - Ruf records 2024 - www.rufrecords.de / www.alastairgreene.com

The Nashville Sessions - Co-produced by JD Simo / Alastair Greene - guitar , vocals / Todd Bolden - bass / Adam Abrashoff - drums and percussion

The Austin Sessions - Produced by Alastair Greene / Alastair Greene - guitar and vocals / Mark Epstein - bass / Kevin Hall - drums

 

"......""........at the end of the day ,this kind of music , however you  want to label it - blues rock - that music comes from blues, which was created out of a lot of feeling . And I think that's what draws so many people into that music because it makes you feel something . I try to honor all those people that came before. And at the same time, I just try to be true to myself and what I am trying to get across as a musician..." - Alastair Greene

 

 

         Alastair Greene -  Along comes another blues guitar shredder  that is far from the blistering  , ear-shattering . head-throbbing fret monster that one might expect from the genre . Raw , stripped down and naked , this is no bull-shirt, electric blues-rock that is a throwback to some of the best guitar-based music of the 60's and 70's . Without the gimmicks , overproduction , and auto-tuning Alastair Greene delivers a guitar driven album that rocks in every sense of the word , embellished with lyrics that people can relate to , and a voice that is soulful and passionate.. Alastair hurls his guitar licks with the ferocity of  Zeus tossing out his lightning bolts, a melodic mix that is  enthralling , thrilling, and eye-opening . " I dug into some Rolling Stones and early ZZ Top before making this record . I wanted to make an album that sounded like it was recorded in the early 70's , not just the songs but also how the record sounds sonically."

        Alastair has been a successful, and in-demand sideman, with such classic rockers such as "Starship" featuring Mickey Thomas and Alan Parsons . He has enjoyed spending time performing with Walter Trout , Sugaray Rayford , Coco Montoya , Savoy Brown , Eric Burdon , Debbie Davies , John Nemeth , and many more . Alastair is appearing on the RUF Records 2024 Blues Caravan with Katarina Pejak and Eric Johanson . 

        His influences run the gamut between classic British blues rockers , iconic  blues players , and rock guitar shredders and this is reflected in his playing : Gary Moore , Peter Green , Leslie West, Jimi Hendrix , Stevie Ray Vaughn , Robin Trower , Cream and Eric Clapton , Jimmy Page , Eddie Van Halen , the Allman Brothers , Lynyrd Skynyrd , Albert Collins , Stevie Ray Vaughn , Ronnie Earl , Mitch Kashmir and  "The Three Kings" - B.B.; Freddie and Albert . 

        Listening to "Standing Out Loud " is an exercise in musicology - you can enjoy the songs while reflecting on familiar sounds that catch your ears , track by track - a bit of "Exile" over here , some "Allman Joy" over there , whetting your taste buds with a bit of "Cream" , or being embraced by some "Southern Soul" . His dynamic solos take a  flight into the netherworld , compact studio cuts that showcase his powerful electric and acoustic fret work . " ....I want to be more melodic and not just feel like I'm firing off rapid fire finger exercises but actually trying to play in the moment."

      Heading to Nashville in January , 2024 , to record with JD Simo , co-producing with Alastair , engineering the tracks in his own House of Grease studio  , 8 of the album's 11 tracks were recorded with an excellent rhythm section.  There were 3 tracks recorded "live in studio " in Austin, Texas , Alastair's adopted hometown , including a blistering performance of the classic "Bullfrog Blues" . 

       "Standing Out Loud " is a first-rate showcase for guitar virtuoso Alastair Greene . He has shown tremendous growth as a songwriter and storyteller , sharing with all of us some pretty interesting things that have been seen , keen observations , and thoughtful and moving stories set to music.Alastair reshapes licks in such a way , with extraordinary versatility and raw emotion , that you think that you are hearing these riffs for the very first time . There is a deeply felt emotional connection to the music that is shared with the audience . You FEEL this music! You embrace the connection between the guitarwork , the vocals , all the musicians , between yourself and this outstanding band collaboration. Whether Alastair is strumming , picking , finger-picking , or using a guitar slide his performances are fantastic displays of incendiary fretwork that resonate with pure joy . There are amazing players on this record that deserve thunderous applause, everyone in the pocket , in the groove , a tight unit delivering instrumental excellence while having a wonderful time playing together . 

        "Standing Out Loud"   delivers from start to finish,  a newly vintage sound that crackles with excitement and explodes with adrenaline . A rollicking , lively album that deserves to be heard , enjoyed , and played over and over and over again. Crank this one way , way , way up! 

            Right now I am on my deck , Alastair is on my retro boombox , and the neighbors are really enjoying "Standing Out Loud"......they are yelling their encouragement....

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