Music Review: Jackie Greene, Back To Birth

By Melissa Bratcher

Jackie Greene has quite the pedigree. He’s toured with The Black Crowes and Phil Lesh and Friends, played with Levon Helm, and was in an acoustic trio with Chris Robinson and Bob Weir, called WRG. An enormously talented multi-instrumentalist, Greene aspires to be the whole package; musician, songwriter, singer, and on his latest, Back To Birth, he nails it.

The songs on Back To Birth run the gamut, from hushed, heartfelt ballads to loose-limbed quirkiness, to straightforward Americana. Greene’s lyrics are honest, searching, thoughtful and Greene’s voice is marvelous. He’s got a soulful richness, which he displays to its fullest on “Hallelujah” (not the Leonard Cohen one that’s been covered by everyone, but his own creation that cries out to be a new classic). It begins as a lovely ballad, an intimate piano song with Greene’s fine, easy tenor joined by a quiet chorus of backup singers, before erupting into a full-blown gospel number, complete with church organ and handclaps while the choir swings along. Greene’s voice transforms with it, richer, looser, glorious. It’s a fantastic performance, and one I can’t stop listening to. “Motorhome” is another track that’s burrowed into my brain.

The Southern rock-tasting opening track, “Silver Lining” is an excellent kick off to the varied Back To Birth. A song about the hustle to make it in the music business, it’s a “I’m not complaining, but it’s harder than you think” sort of lyric, and Greene’s relaxed, easy performance is a treat. The hooky guitar riff is familiar and sticks in the brain. The Laurel Canyon feeling of “Light Up Your Window” could be a companion piece (about a touring musician coming home). It has a nice dash of harmony and an arresting, nimble guitar line. It’s a charmer.

Charming, too, is “Now I Can See For Miles.” There’s a throwback feel to the track, if throwing back to 1990s indie-with-a-hint-of-psych rock is a thing. With smart harmonies on the chorus and a tasty chunky guitar on the verses, it’s catchy and radio friendly and relentlessly hummable. The loping, quirky “Motorhome,” extolling the virtues of being able to pick up and go, is frankly delightful. “Where The Downhearted Go” is an understated, bluesy wailer. It’s oddly quiet, like a band playing secretly. Greene’s vocals are amazing here, sinuous and sensual. It would probably be terrific live.

“A Face Among The Crowd” is a sweet and moving tribute to, I presume, Greene’s father. A lovely ballad with acoustic guitar and mandolin by Paul Rigby, it’s sensitive and thoughtful with a laid-back vocal from Greene. The title track is touching (and one might argue, prone to causing tears in public so don’t listen to it if you don’t want to explain why exactly you’re crying) and bears another wonderful vocal.

Jackie Greene’s Back To Birth is an excellent album. Personal and honest lyrics coupled with Greene’s gift of melody and his way with a hook, make the tracks compulsively listenable and Greene’s voice is a treat.

Back To Birth was released by Yep Roc Records on August 21.

Tour Dates:
August 22 – Full Tilt Boogie Festival – Pownal, VT
September 5 – Wente Vineyards – Livermore, CA
September 8 – Bing Crosby Theater – Spokane, WA
September 9 – Neumos – Seattle, WA
September 10 – Wonder Ballroom – Portland, OR
September 11 – Rogue Theater – Grants Pass, OR
September 13 – Russian River Jazz & Blues Festival – Guerneville, CA
September 18 – Americana Music Festival – Nashville, TN
September 20 – Brighton Music Hall – Boston, MA
September 22 – The Hamilton – Washington, DC
September 24 – The Gramercy Theatre – New York, NY
September 25 – World Café Live – Philadelphia, PA
September 26 – Levon Helm’s Studio – Woodstock, NY
September 27 – Port City Music Hall – Portland, ME