Greene stays true to country roots

Robin Greene’s “Point Comfort” is classical folk music at its best with a very catchy feel best described as instantly contagious, especially when those harmonica solos kick in.

I also like the simple percussion that accompanies Greene’s rhythmic acoustic stylings. On “Breathe Me,” the opening track, Greene sings: “If promises grew on trees, I’d plant an orchard in my front yard.”

On “Hidden Wealth,” Greene reminds me a little of Joni Mitchell, perhaps one of her influences. Greene writes these epic songs that seem to have been born from the heavens above. There’s definitely an element of country in her style, but old country, back before the genre was bombarded with that cotton-candy sticky-sweet nonsense currently spewing on country radio — if it could even be designated “country” anymore.

In “The River,” Greene’s angelic voice delivers melody of true love and magic. Just the way it develops with a few simple chords, yet wrapped into this very savory, very palatable portion, it is evident that Greene’s songwriting craft is quite evolved.

“Ghost of Point Comfort” is a pleasant melancholy, very sentimental and visual with a haunting harmonica solo. Ever the narrator of her own adventures, Greene develops the narrative as she sings: “A violent storm of gusting winds arose …”

I picked up this gem in Anchorage at a little side street cafe known as Side Street Espresso on G Street, right downtown, who also now carries my debut, Familiar Walls “False Flag.”

Incidentally, I now have a new e-mail address that directly promotes my musical endeavors, so please send your future inquiries to familiarwallsband@yahoo.com.

Josh Cole is a local musician and CD connoisseur. For a possible review of a new release, e-mail Cole at familiarwallsband@yahoo.com or at Myspace.com/familiarwalls.