CD:
The Greg Crockett Musical Cake
By
Larry Buford
No,
I did not say Betty Crocker cake. Self-taught musician Greg Crockett
has baked an eclectic musical cake with the finest mix of artists,
writers and musicians. His new self-titled CD, which dropped October
2017, is a testament to the brilliance he's known for as a top-shelf
producer. Mentored by none other than Motown founder Berry Gordy who
knighted him as a musical genius, Greg was born and raised in
Oakland, California. He was introduced to the guitar at age 7 and
started performing at age 12. He is credited on the soundtrack of
“Berry Gordy’s The Last Dragon.”
At
age 18, Crockett – guitarist, bassist and pianist – was playing
on professional recordings that included The Pointer Sisters, for
whom he wrote and played all instruments on the title cut “Serious
Slammin’,” George Clinton, The Bar-Kay’s, Rocky Robins, and
Charles Earland. He also wrote, produced, recorded and/or played
back-up guitar and/or bass for Marvin Gaye III, The Bar-Kay’s, TV
Mama, LC Good Rockin’ Robinson, Freddie Hughes, Jesse James, Lenny
Williams, T-Bone Walker, Bobby Womack, GC Cameron (former lead singer
of the Temptations and Spinners) Etta James, Lowell Folsom, Big Mama
Thornton, John Lee Hooker, Zakiya Hooker, Jeannie Tracy, The Two Tons
Of Fun (Weather Girls), Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, Freddie
Hubbard, Joe Henderson, Harvey Mason, The Four Tops, Tower Of Power,
Sylvester, Lou Rawls Jr., Rockwell, Rance Allen gospel group, Michael
Jeffries, Harvey Fuqua of the Moon Glows, Nikita Germaine, Brian
McKnight, Jimmy McCracklin and so many other entertainers. He has
played on most of the major labels, and has been an ASCAP member for
47 years.
His
new CD, published by Jamisha Publishing, showcases and even magnifies
his talent. I particularly like the grind and pizazz of track 3,
“Golden Gate,” but there’s so much more! He does a cover of
Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On,” and a tribute to Michael
Jackson – “Love To The King” – sung by our good friend and
songwriter Sharon Barnes. Though he does not showcase his own vocal
talent on this CD, Crockett’s voice comes through on his
instruments – especially the guitar. Listen to him on “Just Being
Me” that he wrote. You’d think he was playing words, not notes.
Across
the Atlantic, London music critic Mike Willcocks says, “I love the
sonic clarity of ‘Golden Gate’. I am familiar with Greg's musical
journey and the multitude of artists he has worked with and his
production/musical/composing contributions over the decades. I
also see that he has worked across the soul and funk genres and is
creative and adept in all of those genres…
I think this album
could do very well indeed! All those different
sounds/instrumentation/percussion/ are ear treats.”
Then
there’s “You’re All I’ve Been Looking For,” and “Mueve
Las Caderas” featuring fabulous vocal performances by Michael
Jeffries. Willcocks says he was “struck” by those vocal
performances.
Just
as cake is sweet, the sweet sound of Crockett’s guitar is dominant
throughout the entire CD. He seems to never play the same thing
twice, but adds just a little spice for a lasting flavor and
after-taste. His arrangements and movements can take you to a place
whether on the seashore, in a hotel lobby, at an outdoor cookout, or
just about any damn where you please – the music will “bake you
happy!” I highly recommend this CD. It could very well be on par
with the Quincy Jones’ concepts of “Body Heat” of the 70’s,
and “Back On The Block” of the ‘80’s. Ray Charles’ daughter
Raenee Robinson McClellan says, “I really like the rendition of
‘What’s Going On’!”
As
a songwriter, I have worked with Crockett, so I know of his talent
firsthand. As all of the new songs are growing more and more on me, I
predict that by the summer of 2018, “Golden Gate” will be the
chart topper like Grover Washington Jr’s “Mr. Magic” did so
many years ago! In his copy of Berry Gordy’s book “To Be Loved,”
Gordy wrote: “To Greg Crockett – a great talent, a great friend,
and a great protégé…” Go Greg…Go Greg!!
Greg Crockett | Album Discography | AllMusic
Email: gcgregcrockett@gmail.com
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