Lately I've been listening to Jackie Greene. He grew up and started his musical journey in my old neighborhood, and a drummer friend of mine who I played with back in the 80s is playing in his band. They did the Conan show in April, for the second time. He's being touted as "the prince of Americana," his style being popish folksy countryish rock (heh). Not normally a favorite genre of mine, but I like his stuff. He's travelling a tough road, off the beaten path of today's popular music.

I'm away from "home" now, and perhaps that's why the lyrics from one of the songs in particular appealed to me. It's titled "Shaken," and you can listen to it here if you want (load the site and it will start playing, followed by other tunes from his current album, Giving Up the Ghost). The part about friends also hits home. I miss Cali, and my so-called friends.

I was blue and walking down K Street Mall alone late at night back in 2003, just before I was forced to leave the old digs. I heard this music coming from a bar, and it was good. I stopped and listened outside, peering in through the window. The singer/guitarist was practically a kid, but he obviously has an "old soul." I was moved by what I heard; not much could move this heavy old stone at that time. Then, he was just another dream kitten scratching by; now, he's on the verge.

He's also fronting Phil Lesh's tribute to the Grateful Dead now. Curious to know what people here think about him. Probably not much, but he might appeal to a few. I find his stuff to be pretty real.