GREG CLIFFORD by Greg Clifford – EP review by Tony Floyd Kenna
GREG CLIFFORD by Greg Clifford.
Greg Clifford is a talented, multi-instrumentalist from Dublin. Greg’s style is an amalgamation of singer songwriter with rock, blues, jazz and folk. A BA in Music and a masters in contemporary composition audibly augment his undoubted abilities as a guitarist. On this self titled EP Greg also extends his talents to bass, piano and drums.
As the former front man of the sadly now defunct rock band Elavator, Greg had
plenty of scope to paint on a big musical canvas. But even though this EP may
not be the ‘stadium’ rock style of Elavator it does not lack for colour, depth or interest. Describing this as ‘one of the most liberating and rewarding musical experiences’ of his career Greg is perhaps flexing his musical freedom from the inherent compromises of a band, and enjoying making some new music totally on his own terms.
His biggest influences are quoted to include such greats as The Beatles, Pink
Floyd and Rory Gallagher but let there be no doubt….Greg Clifford sounds like
Greg Clifford.
There are four tracks on this disc, a precursor to an album planned for late
2012.
The opener is the awesome ‘Revolver’. It has a smooth groove, thoughtfully
arranged and playing that is full of life. Beautiful stabs of trumpet fill out the full but uncluttered sound and nicely compliment the easy vocals. And of course I love the ‘just right’ bass gently pulling it all together. Is it a song of life, a song of death? Listen carefully and see if you can answer.
‘Wasting Away’ starts off with a gentle guitar and vocal. ‘What’s it gonna be,
what’s it gonna take..when you just spend your life wasting away..’. A moment
to reflect. A nice ‘heavy’ touch seamlessly takes us through the middle section. Reminiscent of Oasis for a minute. I wonder whether the song is autobiographical
or an observation from the outside? We all come to reflect at some stage in life, to take stock, to wonder is this it? George Harrison could very easily have written a song like this for ‘All things Must Pass’, his solo release following the Beatles break up. Greg is here post ‘Elavator’ and perhaps feeling a bit like George….
‘When You’re Gone’ is pretty much as it sounds, a boy – girl song of love lost.
Delivered simply and with feeling, vocals and guitar carry this nicely.
The final track is ‘On The Road’. ‘I can’t wait to find out where the road will lead us next’. It carries the story in a slightly understated way. Tasteful, relaxed playing building but not to a cresendo rather to us wanting more. Quite clever really, the message gets thru’ and we want to know where Greg’s road will take him next.
T.F.K.
Regular MT readers and viewers will already be familiar with Greg from Ciaran’s
Music Ladder features and of course the Elavator CD review last year. It’s worth following the links below to check these out.
Greg’s MT channel http://musicianstogether.com/user/gregcliffordmusic
Music Ladder http://musicianstogether.com/video/DH46G1N1O3NH/The-Music-Ladder–Episode-10–March-2012–Special-Feature
Elavator http://musicianstogether.com/magazine/2011/10/18/who-do-you-think-youre-fooling-ep-elavator/
Elavator MT channel http://musicianstogether.com/user/Elavator
Category: CD Reviews
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