There are few things better than the Monday blues. Supporting his eleventh solo release and first on German label Ruf Records, American blues rock singer, songwriter and guitarist Alastair Greene stomped out the doldrums and kickstarted the week for those fans in attendance at the intimate live music venue in Evanston, Illinois known as SPACE.
Released in May of this year, Standing Out Loud is Greene’s homage to the rock music of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s that he says served as the gateway to his discovery of the blues. Sounding as if it was recorded in the ‘70s, but pulsating with modernity, it is with good reason that the album debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard Blues Chart. It is a refreshing reminder that blues rock is alive and well in 2024.
From the funky title track “Standing Out Loud” to the emotive “Rusty Dagger” – a song that slowly builds to an eruptive guitar solo highlighting Greene’s range and virtuosity on the guitar – there are numerous standout tracks on the album, including “Slow Burn,” “In Trouble,” “The Last to Cry,” “Trouble Blues,” “Am I to Blame?” and “Temptation.” It is tough to choose a favorite, but the fans at SPACE were treated to many of them, as well as a few from Greene’s 2020 release, The New World Blues, and some tasty covers such as “Lawdy Mama” and Johnny Winter’s “Mean Town Blues.”
If every Monday was as good as this, we might all actually look forward to the start of the work week. More than that, though, Greene is a testament to the power and importance of live music. For more information on Greene, Standing Out Loud and his upcoming tour dates, head to his website here.
All images: © Derek Smith / High Voltage Concert Photography for American Blues Scene
