Summer 2009: Featuring Jackie Greene

It’s funny to me just how fast summers can fly by. It’s certainly said too much, but its just so damn true. For me, summer 2009 has been no exception and in the whirlwind of softball, cottage weekends, late nights, grilling, and evenings at the terrace that have ensued it has been quite sometime since I have put forward any meaningful contribution to the blog. With that I’d like to give a big thanks to Nate and Stew for keeping the ball rolling with a few really stellar posts in the last few weeks.

For me certain artists, albums, and songs are tied strongly to certain points or events in my life. For instance, whenever I hear the Roots “The Seed” I instantly think of pre-game football parties. Whenever I hear Jurassic 5 “Power in Numbers” I think of sophomore year of college, whenever I hear O.A.R. I think of playing Beirut (Beer Pong) in Sellery Hall, and whenever I hear Weezer I think of High School. I’m sure that this phenomenon is at least somewhat familiar to each of you.

Although it’s hard to look into the future and tell what songs or artists are going to evoke memories, I suspect that music of Jackie Greene will embody Summer 2009 for me (Although seeing Phish at Alpine Valley was certainly the biggest show of the summer). Greene played the Memorial Union Terrace (I know I bring this place up a lot) on the Thursday before July 4th and absolutely blew me, and I think most others in attendance away. It was just one of those perfect nights. Good friends, great music, lots of laughs, perfect weather, cold beer. Jackie’s music that night might as well have been one long anthem for summertime in Madison. It was a hell of a way to kick off an All-American weekend. I have been spinning his most recent offering “Giving up the Ghost” ever since.



It is no secret that Greene is searching for a hit, and this is clear in “Giving up the Ghost”. The songs are catchy and simply constructed; I mean this in the best of ways though. To those of you who are unfamiliar with Greene, he has been around for some time. Although he is only 28 years old he has been making music since age 14 and in the last couple of years has turned out some well received albums in the Folk-Rock/Americana genre. In addition to his strong solo work he has toured with Phil Lesh and Friends who I sure you’re all familiar with. He has toured with a number of other well known artists, many of which are blues, and also played a good number of music festivals. If you want to check out his music right now, his website will stream a number of songs of his most recent album. If you like them you should go buy it, or download it if that’s your thing. Either way be sure to check out his show next time he’s in your area.

Jackie's Kickin' Website

I’d like to conclude with this thought. Since many of us contributors have fallen off in the last few weeks I’d like to call each of you out to contribute something from your summer of music. Perhaps you’ve got an artist or show that might embody your summer?. And to anybody following along out there, comment your summer music in here. Lets hear it!

Rock and Roll

Ben.

**This last vid definitely rocks**