Jeremy Green with Keith Carlock: Standing Eight

Standing Eight is Canadian guitarist Jeremy Green’s first full length album, collaboration with drummer Keith Carlock (Steely Dan, John Mayer, Toto, and many others). The guest list alone is worth the price of admission, but let me assure the music lives up to the names on this disc. The opening “No Jacket Required� feature the talents of Mike Stern and Jimmy Haslip, clean tones and riffs kick the song off and the grooving begins. Stern and Haslip both get a chance to solo, and I’m rocking in my chair. “Ain’t No Chevy� brings out the funk with Robben Ford, Will Lee and Mark Levron (horns), and again the clean tones infuse this track. “Michael and Me� continues the funk groove with Victor Wooten and Chase Baird (saxophone), and I really dig the unison lines being played by Green and Baird. All the guests get a chance to shine; Green opened the songs up and has given his guests freedom to cut loose. Carlock is so tight, and seems to really lock in with Wooten here, and during Green’s solo, they shine underneath. Oz Noy guests on the aptly titled “Land of Oz�, a tight funky chord progression propels the music, and this one features some of my favorite guitar soloing on the record. “Big Shoes� takes on a Rush sounding chord progression, and tricky quick riff that is repeated. Bassist Tim Lefebvre is featured (Black Crowes, Tedeschi-Trucks) and things get a bit spacey in the middle of the track. "Mr. Beast" is my favorite track; it opens with killer riffing, and features Billy Sheehan. Sheehan’s bass really has a distinctive tone, it growls and rumbles and really stands out. Green shows off some fine playing and phrasing of his own in some of the softer sections. Talk about some fine playing, Carlock is on fire during his featured solo. “Close with the Jab� and “Car Rock� close the CD in the same fashion, great playing, interesting changes and infectious grooves that constantly having your rocking. “Car Rock� is the longest track, again featuring Oz Noy, and may have the catchiest melody of the entire disc, and fiery soloing.

As a guitarist it is interesting to listen to Green with these great players, hearing the different tones and phrasing that make each one player unique. I am a sucker for guitar based fusion, you get great playing on this one, and a stellar cast, hopefully Jeremy Green gets some attention for this CD, he certainly deserves it.

Track Listing
1) No Jacket Required
2) Ain’t No Chevy
3) Michael & Me
4) The Land of Oz
5) Big Shoes
6) Mr. Beast
7) Close with the Jab
8) Car Rock

Added: December 4th 2021
Reviewer: Eric Porter
Score:
Related Link: Artist Website
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Language: english

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