Greta's Summer 2009 Tour with Raul Malo
Greta's touring with Raul Malo in July! » Check Tour Dates
Greta Gaines Appears on Good Morning America
Greta appeard on ABC's Good Morning America on November 7th. Watch it now!
Whiskey Thoughts is available! Buy it now or listen to/download the title track.
BOSTON GLOBE (Boston, MA)
New Releases CDS - COUNTRY/ROCK
Greta Gaines
Whiskey Thoughts (Justice)
Pioneer snowboarder, sportscaster, fish catcher and singer-songwriter, Greta Gaines has already had a dizzying career. But if the fierce and funny songs on her new CD are anything to judge by, she is just getting started musically. The daughter of a novelist/screenwriter and a former Miss Alabama, Gaines has blazed new territory for women since growing up in New Hampshire in the 1980s riding prototype snowboards, and later hosting MTV's Sports and Music Festival and performing in Lilith Fair. "Whiskey Thoughts" is the album she says she has always wanted to make: "a real hippie, country, psychedelic, southern rock record," according to her website. Add to that "a witty and rollicking ride."
Read the Review
RIVER CITY READER (Davenport, IA and the Quad Cities)
Greta Gaines - Whiskey Thoughts (Justice) breaking the album down to a "drivin' side" and the "cryin' side," this self-described "hippie-country" is mighty pleasing, with guests Ian Moore, Bobbie and Willie Nelson, and Raul Malo in the hesitant duet "Love Is Twisted"...
NASHVILLE CITY PAPER (Nashville, TN)
GRETA GAINES
Singer/songwriter Greta Gaines loves disproving conventional notions about many things, particularly music.
Hosting fishing shows and being a former world champion snowboarder are just a small part of her very colorful background, and Gaines is also someone who finds working in the urban music arena just as enjoyable and challenging as doing Americana, country or blues.
But while she’s still heavily involved in a brand of music that she calls “hick-hop,” Gaines’ new CD Whiskey Thoughts (Justice) is “the record that I’ve wanted to make in Nashville for many years, but never got the opportunity before."
“I’ve been [making music] over 20 years and doing a lot of other things as well, but since my two children were born I decided that I really wanted to concentrate on music and really make the music that satisfied and made me happy," she said. “Randall [Jamail, the label head of Justice] told me that I was one of only five artists that they were signing to a deal, and for me to make the record that I really wanted to make.”
Whiskey Thoughts highlights Gaines’ booming, soulful voice and songs whose lyrics range from spicy (“Dirty Blonde,” “I’m High”) to edgy (“Love Is Twisted,” “Armageddon Love Song”) and features outstanding musical contributions from many topflight musicians. Regular band members include Daniel Tashian, Eric Fritsch, Jim Bosios and Bucky Baxer, and guest stars include Raul Malo, Willie and Bobbie Nelson, Ian Moore and Kenny Vaughn.
“This is kind of my Southern rock, my country, and my Americana record wrapped up into one project,” Gaines said. “We did it in an organic fashion as much as possible, because I think I do things better with fewer takes rather than several. A lot of the vocals are live, and the band was fantastic.”
The disc is split between what’s called “Drivin’ Songs” and “Cryin’ Songs,” with the latter including “The Willie Waltz” that matches Gaines’ leads with guitar and piano support from the Nelsons. “Love Is Twisted” pairs Gaines with Malo (who also plays guitar on the track), while all the numbers were either singly or co-written by Gaines.
She'll perform cuts from Whiskey Thoughts Wednesday night in a show at The Basement (9 p.m., 1604 Eighth Ave. S., 254-8006, $7).
“I really enjoy working in multiple formats,” Gaines said. “I’m working on a project now with two rappers that’s very beat-driven, and I really enjoy singing in a different way for that style. It’s more in a ska or reggae-inflected mode, while the singing on Whiskey Thoughts is clearly not in that fashion. But I think both are great, and I really love doing music in both styles.”
TOLEDO BLADE (Toledo, OH)
Whiskey Thoughts
Greta Gaines (Justice Records)
Gaines brings an unusual list of accomplishments to her career as singer/songwriter/television host. She became a world-champion snowboarder and well-known fly fisherman by day while she honed her singing skills in the evenings in bars in Jackson Hole, Wyo. Later, she was the host of shows on MTV and ESPN2, using her own musical creations as theme songs.
Now she's placing the emphasis on her singing career, dipping deep into an extensive repertoire of her own songs. Gaines describes her music as hippie country, Southern rock, and that pretty much covers it. Her voice moves from smooth and sultry to a smoky growl, mixing rootsy blues with the country and the rock.
The dozen numbers here don't fall neatly in any sort of traditional category. They're quintessential Gaines, which means unique and completely non-establishment. It's those qualities that make it worth a listen. You can pour a shot of "Whiskey Thoughts" in stores this week. —KEN ROSENBAUM
Greta featured on TuneJar:
Watch the interview and performance
“Whiskey Thoughts” reviewed in the latest Vintage Guitar Magazine: “One of 2008’s best records, with an invigorating mix of country, rock and R&B. Songs are incredibly well-written, vocals airtight and playing near perfect. And this stands out as one of the year’s biggest surprises. Not bad for a woman who’s done everything from being a pro-snowboarder to hosting her own fishing show on ESPN 2.” —JH
“Whiskey Thoughts”
will be available May 20, 2008