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ELDER CREEK

Jeff Green

Neo-Prog


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Jeff Green Elder Creek album cover
3.85 | 59 ratings | 2 reviews | 18% 5 stars

Excellent addition to any
prog rock music collection

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Studio Album, released in 2014

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Theseus Falls (8:18)
2. Elder Creek (5:09)
3. Our First Meeting (7:53)
4. Point Blunt Light (6:25)
5. Gordian's Knot (6:30)
6. Loops And Threads (4:19)
7. A Long Time From Now (20:05)

Total Time 58:39

Line-up / Musicians

- Jeff Green / Lead and Rhythm Electric Guitars, 6 and 12 String acoustic guitars, Mandolin, Guitar Synthesizer, Lead and Backing Vocals, Programming
- Mike Stobbie (ex-Pallas) / Keyboards
- Pete Riley (Guthrie Govan, Wetton & Downes Icon, Keith Emerson) / Drums
- Andy Staples / Bass
- Garreth Hicklin / Lead and Backing Vocals
- Imogen Hendricks / Backing Vocals
With:
- Phil Hilborne (Brian May, Glen Hughes, Keith Emerson, Steve Vai) / Guitar
- Alan Reed (ex-Pallas) / Vocals on A Long Time From Now
- Sean Filkins (ex-BBT) / Vocals on Elder Creek

Releases information

Label: Festival Music (F2)
February 18, 2014

Thanks to mbzr48 for the addition
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Buy JEFF GREEN Elder Creek Music



JEFF GREEN Elder Creek ratings distribution


3.85
(59 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(18%)
18%
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(42%)
42%
Good, but non-essential (37%)
37%
Collectors/fans only (4%)
4%
Poor. Only for completionists (0%)
0%

JEFF GREEN Elder Creek reviews


Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by kev rowland
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Reviewer
4 stars Five years on from his debut solo album, 'Jessica', American guitarist Jeff Green has returned with his second, which this time is credited as a project. When one sees who has been involved this time, it is probably a fairer way of crediting it. While Jeff provides most of the guitars, mandolin, guitar synth and much of the vocals, he is also joined by He is joined by Pete Riley on drums (Guthrie Govan, Wetton & Downes Icon, Keith Emerson), Mike Stobbie on keys (Pallas and a renowned prog producer), Sean Filkins (Big Big Train, Lorien) provides lead vocals on the title number, Alan Reed provides lead vocals on 'A Long Time From Now' (Pallas, various Clive Nolan projects, solo), Garreth Hicklin provides lead and backing vocals (Illegal Eagles), Phil Hilborne guitar (Nicko McBrain's touring Clinic, has played with Brian May, Glen Hughes, Keith Emerson, Steve Vai), with Andy Staples (bass) and Imogen Hendricks (backing vocals) completing the line-up. Out of all of these, the one name that may seem unusual to progheads is that of Garreth, until one realizes that Jeff is also a member of Illegal Eagles.

'Elder Creek' explores the concept of memory, its loss and the part it plays in our lives, the lives of loved ones and society in general. Using both anecdotal and mythological subject matter, the album raises the question; if memories define who we are, then who indeed are we without them. Many lyrics were based on poems written by Jeff's father. Jeff may have lived in Ireland for more than a dozen years, but it his American roots that come through, especially when he is playing acoustic guitar, as that combined with the harmonies leads the project more into the area of Crosby Stills and Nash as opposed to IQ or Pallas. But, the prog influences are also there throughout and the result is a crossover album that is beautiful, with soaring vocals and great keyboards that accentuate the guitars. This is all about songcraft as opposed to showing just how clever all those involved are when it comes to playing their instruments. They have nothing at all to prove, and this feels incredibly relaxed as it draws the listener in to it's heart and soul.

There is a depth and real presence with this album, with some wonderful arrangements and the clever use of repeating melodies on different instruments to provide additional dynamics while staying within the same theme. Immediate, impressive, one can only hope that it doesn't take five years for the next one, as anyone who enjoys great songs with great singers, especially if they enjoy their classic Americana, will find a great deal here to enjoy. www.progrock.co.uk

Review by Windhawk
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
4 stars US born, UK based composer and musician Jeff GREEN first appeared as a recording artist back in 2009, with his self released album "Jessica", a conceptual creation revolving around his late daughter of the same name. An emotional and possibly cathartic creation. Five years later he returns, now with more of a band based effort, and possibly due to that opting to use the moniker Jeff Green Project for his second album "Elder Creek", which was released through UK label Festival music at the start of 2014.

While I've never been one to focus all that much on the lyrics, those with an interest in such matters might note that Green once again have chosen to create a concept album, although I wouldn't be all that surprised if he stated that the concept chose him. One of the blessings and curses of having a creative mind is, after all, that ideas will take over and demand to be given an outlet. The concept this time around revolves around memories, and especially the loss of them from what I understand. Which is a nice change from all the fantasy, horror and science fiction based concepts more traditionally explored by musicians.

In terms of music, this is an album that is somewhat hard to pinpoint though. This is a guy that has a deep affection for music from the 1970's, and there are multiple references to music from that decade throughout. A recurring feature are vintage oriented, jubilant keyboard escapades. What at least sounds like old keyboards and the good, old organ takes turns with the guitar to produce both soaring, elegant and majestic solo passages, and as far as the guitar solo parts go those who enjoy the style of guitarists like Andrew Latimer and David Gilmour should find Green's blues-tinged guitar solo runs to be a sheer joy. That he's also capable of some more modern style shred-like antics is also showcased on a select few occasions though.

While Camel and Pink Floyd can and probably should be referenced, there are alos other dimensions to this production. A subtle element that sticks throughout is what I'd describe as an American vibe. The lead vocals, accent and some of the vocal harmonies is a part of that picture, and some details here and there that possibly points in the direction of The Eagles isn't as farfetched as it may sound due to Green's involvement in tribute band The Illegal Eagles, and there are also some detours made into pastoral, Irish tinged folk-inspired territories as well as to funk-flavored archetypical 1970's AOR, but also occasional detours into landscapes closer to 1980's neo progressive rock.

When that has been said, this isn't at all a fragmented affair. The individual songs and the album as a whole has a strong feeling of cohesion throughout, there's nothing that sounds out of place and none of the compositions can be described as being of a markedly different style than the others. So while this is an album that covers a fair bit of stylistic ground, it does so in a well thought out manner, and one that won't demand it's listeners to have an extensive and broad taste in music.

Personally I found this disc to be an enjoyable one. As there's a strong 70's sound going on, a fairly liberal use of keyboards but also an undercurrent of what I'd describe as Americana sounding elements, I'd guess that those who enjoy the works of bands Camel and The Eagles on a fairly equal level might be pretty close to the ideal audience for this album.

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