Alastair Greene: Through The Rain By Craig Hartranft

New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ LeRoi Records) Versatile rock and blues guitarist Alastair Greene doesn't seem to slow down or sit still for any length of time. Coming off this side gig as the lead guitarist for The Alan Parsons Live Project as well as playing several blues festivals, Greene has found time to record this third solo album, Through the Rain. While generally recognized for his exceptional blues work, he take these licks and blends them with his love of classic hard rock.

Certainly, Through the Rain accomplishes this goal. Through the Rain, By the Way (Ty Tabor of King's X helps out on guitar), Madman, Stoneroller, and You Will Remember are only several examples of gritty and edgy blues laced hard rock. Sometimes the songs have a definite Southern feel as on Get Your Evil On or Take Me With You, a song with an historic Allman Brothers feel. T'other Way offers a quick pace with a more traditional rock n roll sound. For more traditional blues, this arrives in All of This Time.

Greene's guitar credentials are undisputable throughout, making this a delight for the fan, peer, or the next aspiring fret star. Two short examples apply: the simple earthy electric blues shred at the start on Before the Storm, and the fine acoustic work of Dearly Departed.

With Through the Rain, Alastair Greene applies his daredevil blues guitar work to his hard rock influences. The result is some blistering rock, with fiery fret work. Recommended.