Born in Sleepy Hollow in 1970 to his single, Cuban-immigrant mother, the young future singer/songwriter, Greg Jacquin, began playing his stepdad’s guitar just as soon as he was strong enough to pick it up. Growing up listening to icons such as Cat Stevens and The Beatles, Greg wasted no time and was performing in bands by high school, and recording albums by the early ’90s.
Though years spent raising a family and a career in law-enforcement temporarily separated he and his music, now retired, the music has returned once again. Currently, his team of Hudson Valley, NY-based music-makers includes, Paul Griffin (singer/songwriter, keys), Rich Berta (singer/songwriter, guitar), Lalit Loomba (bass), and Peter Wilson (drums).
Previous recorded work includes 2002’s Free the Freak, as well as 2018’s Live at Silvana’s,—which is essentially a live version of his latest EP, Hudson River, an emotional and intimate collection in the folk/Americana tradition, which we found to be both complex and touching.
HERE’S WHAT WE DUG MOST…
With an accessible piece of songwriting, Jacquin gives sonic testimony to the immense—and often under-spoken—difficulties of living a modern life in a world where multi-tasking has simultaneously become the norm—and the detriment, in the EP’s opener, The Station. A filled-out sound of strings, keys, guitars and percussion gives song to this busy style of living, its affect on one’s mind, and one’s ability to simply be themselves…
“I forgot what I was saying
I forgot where I was going, again
I didn’t mean for things to get so out of hand
I didn’t mean to lose my way…”
OUR FAVORITE TRACK…
In the same vein as its predecessor, Floating, honors the human condition of disconnect that occurs in the aftermath of life’s intensity. With a beautiful, ambient melody built on layers of vocal harmonies and violin tones, this song feels like some fantastic 80’s groove throwback.
A full horn section tastefully accompanies Jacquin as he continues to exorcise his demons on, Scratches & Bridges.
“I got some scratches on my back
And I got bridges to cross”
—Scratches & Bridges
Yesterdaze is our close second favorite. The track opens with a wave of vocal melodies, strings and guitar, as Greg holds nothing back in this confessional of sorts, whereby the desire for change can be just as painful as its cause. This is a wonderful track…
“I’m drunk and defeated
Pretending that everything’s OK
I’m lying to myself
And I’m lying to my friends all the time…”
IN CONCLUSION…
Regret and hope. Despair and fortitude. Greg Jacquin’s latest EP, Hudson River, is no less than a deeply personal and emotive examination of a life led, decisions made, and consequences experienced. Musically, every track brings a deluxe array of dreamy, ambient tones and textures; mixing keys, strings, layers of vocal harmonies, guitars, horns and more into rich and vast compositions—song after song.
Unapologetically a touch dark in content, there’s a subtle and playful thread throughout (for example in, Yesterdaze: “I need a time machine, to get back home to you. But then I remember, time machines aren’t real.”), which lets in just enough light so as to deliver an entirely enjoyable and relatable experience. All in all, this collection of songs represents a fine collaboration of skilled, artistic players who’ve created something which fans of the singer/songwriter, folk, acoustic, and Americana genres can appreciate, many times over.
WHOSE LOVECHILD…?
Cat Stevens meets Keith Morris…
BELOW: Listen to Greg Jacquin’s EP, Hudson River, and connect with his website and social media platforms. Please support Greg Jacquin by visiting him online, and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing his music, or attending a live show! And, as always, thank you for supporting real music!
Listen to HUDSON RIVER by GREG JACQUIN:
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