ALASTAIR GREENE: Standing Out Loud
Product no.: RUF 1310
Description
Release date: May 2024
With Standing Out Loud (his 11th solo record), Greene set out to create an honest, no-nonsense record that recalls the spirit of his favourite music from the 1960s and 70s. For that purpose, he headed to Nashville in January 2024, knocking out eight of the album's eleven songs. His partner in this endeavour was Nashville stalwart JD Simo, who co-produced with Greene and engineered the tracks in his own House of Grease studio.
"I knew JD was into making old-school-sounding records, and I wanted to see what we could create together," explains Greene. "He brought in an excellent rhythm section to make the record with me. We got a lot done in a short amount of time and captured some fantastic moments." Greene packed his explosive electric guitar fretwork into tight, neatly constructed songs like the hard-driving blues-rock opener “You Can't Fool Me” and the mid-tempo rocker "Slow Burn."
"I dug into some Rolling Stones and early ZZ Top before making the record," Greene recalls, "I wanted to make an album that sounded like it was recorded in the early 70s, not just the songs but also how the record sounds sonically." This approach also meant keeping his songs concise and to the point. It's a refreshing aspect of Standing Out Loud that distinguishes Greene's new album from other contemporary blues-rock releases.
Greene continues: "Look at the studio version of “Little Wing” by Jimi Hendrix; it's two minutes and twenty-five seconds long. That was something I wanted to accomplish. I want the songs to speak for themselves." This does not suggest he held anything back at the Nashville sessions; Greene's solos on Standing Out Loud are nothing if not dynamic. Yet, like his favourite classic rock-era players, he integrates those solos into compact studio cuts.
Three more "live in the studio" tracks stem from a session in Greene's adopted hometown of Austin, Texas. Greene lays it down here with some powerhouse performances, including a cover of the classic “Bullfrog Blues,” which he uses to showcase his acoustic and electric guitar skills. "I feel fortunate to have worked with so many amazing players on this record," he declares.
With Standing Out Loud completed and due for release in late Spring 2024, Greene is itching to hit the road. His 2024 tour schedule will include festival and club dates across the U.S. and over 40 European dates. "I've toured Europe many times as the guitarist with the Alan Parsons Live Project, and I'm excited to be bringing my music to the people."
TRACK LIST
001
YOU CAN’T FOOL ME 00:02:33
002
SLOW BURN 00:02:48
003
ONLY DO 00:03:03
004
IN TROUBLE 00:02:57
005
THE LAST TO CRY 00:03:42
006
TROUBLE BLUES 00:02:58
007
AM I TO BLAME? 00:03:42
008
STANDING OUT LOUD 00:03:56
009
TEMPTATION 00:03:09
010
RUSTY DAGGER 00:05:52
011
BULLFROG BLUES 00:04:12