2020 – Whiskey Bayou Records
By Phillip Smith; Feb. 13, 2021
I’ve been a fan of Alastair Greene since reviewing his 2017 release Dream Train. That album came to fruition soon after his lengthy gig of playing with Alan Parsons. Hearing his latest album, The New World Blues, only made me more of a fan. Greene is rocker rooted in blues, and a bluesman rooted in rock. His songs are solid as hell, and his guitar prowess is absolutely stunning. Tab Benoit, cofounder of Whiskey Bayou Records produced the album, and took on drums, with bass player Corey Duplechin rounding out this paramount power-trio.
“Living Today” gets this eleven-track record off to a ripping start, with Greene reminding us to let our love shine through this world gone mad. The song is quite powerful. Benoit throws down a monster beat as Greene absolutely tears it up on guitar. Greene pours a jug-full of delta grease into “Bayou Mile” a ballad of reflection. This one puts a smile on my face and makes me think of home. Things heat up when Greene breaks out a big ol’ case of Texas-style blues on his instrumental “Back at the Poor House”. This one evokes the fabulous sounds of Stevie Ray Vaughan. Sitting atop a delicate framework, is this beautiful and melancholy song called “Heroes”. It totally captivated me, both lyrically and musically. When I heard the harmonized vocals, I was instantly reminded of one of my favorite bands in the nineties, The Meat Puppets. The album comes to a walloping finish on title-track “The New World Blues” with Greene doling out heaping helpings of swampy electric slide. It sounds so damn good.
“The New World Blues” is definitely among the best albums I’ve heard this year. It’s surely one blues-rock fans will want to grab.
For more information about the artist, visit this website : https://agsongs.com/
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