These days you miss out on hundreds or even thousands of great melodic CD’s, because they don’t reach Europe. GREGG D HOLLISTER is far too unknown over here, but some of you may have his first solo CD “Watching The Time Go” (Indie 1999, USA). You’re probably glad if you do, since it’s a very good Westcoast CD in the vein of BILL MEYERS or the more commercial side of BILL CANTOS and LOU PARDINI. Anyway, the years went by and Gregg has mainly been playing for other artists. Well, up until now that is. All of a sudden he released this 2nd solo CD in the end of 2006. The style has changed dramatically, so now we’re talking melodic rock with quite a rootsy approach. This strong CD totally reminds me of great artists like TOM PETTY, HUEY LEWIS & THE NEWS, ERIC CLAPTON and even VENICE at times.
Before I continue I should add that I’m not used to listening that much to this kind of down to Earth melodic rockers, so don’t look too closely on my Grading. However, I recognise a good singer and a good songwriter when I hear him. So I’m not totally off-side here. So onto the songs, shall we? The fourth track “Libra Son” has a lot of Huey Lewis and later Venice in it. Same goes for the opener “Baby’s Arms” which shall be appreciated by any fan of Tom Petty. Also check out the eighth song “Goodtime”, since it has a lovely up-tempo and something like CHICAGO horns in it. Hey, occasionally Gregg D Hollister even has some Bill Champlin in his voice, even though it’s not all the time. Personally I also find one or two songs which are not my cup of tea, but maybe yours? One is “No Turnin’ Back” which drives away too far into the country and jazz direction for my taste. Strangely enough, one of the top songs of the CD even has some mandolin playing – and I like it. The song I am referring to is “4 Winds”. Sure, I would gladly have switched the mandolin (or whatever instrument it is) to a regular guitar, but whatever. It’s a very fine song. So I really like this CD, even though I am not mormallty the best guy to review melodic rock. Being a fan of westcoast pop, I wouldn’t be surprised if Gregg still has some demos from the early 90’s… dare I wish for another CD in that music style, pleeeease?
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Melodic Net Comments
Jeff
Very Roots orientad songs...stripoped down from "Watching the Time Go" CD
