Jackie Greene – The Dig Years 2001-2005

‘Dig Music’ originally signed Jackie Green and like major labels used to do, they nurtured this wonderful young man, not only supporting, but challenging him as well ... giving him the time and space necessary to develop his signature sound and musical style. “The Dig Years 2001 - 2005” is a fantastic overview of Jackie Greene, with tracks from his first three outings and some special tasty unreleased numbers for you collection.

Small labels have a way of just doing things correctly from the get go, and that is never more evident then right here. The production of Jackie’s music is well done, clean and bright; they chose the songs on this album from those his audience loves the best. I know this sounds like a greatest hits, but it’s not, it’s just a very satisfying release of his best numbers, designed to showcase Jackie's talents and musical styles. And once you sink your teeth into these tunes you’ll be out there scoring the discs from which these tracks came.

His guitar work is flawless, there are no screeches on the strings as he moves from one note to the next, just listen to ‘Mexican Girl’ to hear what I mean. But he doesn’t stop there, he can do finger picking with the best of them, play the harmonica, and arrange all of this in a clean manner that sets your toes to tapping, your head to nodding ... mixing blues, rock and whatever else is in his kitchen sink to smack you upside the head. Just dig ‘Down In The Valley Woe, it will take you back to what John Mayll quite doing because it took too much effort for him. His magic on the keyboards is no less amazing, and I can hardly contain myself hearing him move from one instrument to the next, with a style and grace so seldom seen or heard, even from those who’ve been in the business forever.

Currently Jackie is touring with Phil Lesh & Friends, where Phil’s support of Jackie’s talents is displayed by giving Jackie a slot to perform five of his own numbers during each show. When Jackie was speaking with my good friend Jeff Hughson, Jeff asked him how the gig was going, Jackie said, “Fine, but man, those guys play for four hours!” Everyone laughed saying, “Welcome to the big time Jackie.”

This artists is a star on the rise, you can hear him solo, or you can hear him with Phil Lesh ... but one thing is certain, you will be hearing him for years to come.

Review by Jenell Kesler