JACKIE GREENE > Giving Up the Ghost

Jackie Greene, the California wunderkind hailed as both the latest “new Dylan” and Americana’s answer to Prince, takes such hype head-on with Giving Up The Ghost, produced by Los Lobos’ Steve Berlin. The multi-instrumentalist Greene adroitly maneuvers the crannies of blues, folk, rock and soul with an impressive songwriting toolbox that uses a wide palette to express his simple, but not simplistic, tales.

Label: 429
[Rating: 3 STARS]

Jackie Greene, the California wunderkind hailed as both the latest “new Dylan” and Americana’s answer to Prince, takes such hype head-on with Giving Up The Ghost, produced by Los Lobos’ Steve Berlin. The multi-instrumentalist Greene adroitly maneuvers the crannies of blues, folk, rock and soul with an impressive songwriting toolbox that uses a wide palette to express his simple, but not simplistic, tales. Harmonica powers the blustering “Follow You”, horns slink to the soulful “Don’t Let The Devil Take You Down” and a plaintive pedal steel sweeps through “Shaken.” Whether it’s the ballsy rocker “Like A Ball and Chain” with its irresistibly gritty guitar riff and chorus, or a tender ballad like “Prayer for Spanish Harlem,” Greene is comfortable, confident and competent, hype be damned.