​Greg Loiacono (from Giving It All Away

​Greg Loiacono (from Giving It All Away

​Greg Loiacono (from Giving It All Away available on Blue Rose Records) (by Lee Zimmerman)
 
Best known up until now as a co-founder of the West Coast outfit The Mother Hips, Greg Loiacono shares his versatility courtesy of his third solo offering, Giving It All Away. Heavily influenced by the strains of classic Soul circa the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, the album consists mostly of original songs that find a steady groove and a steady sway. Loiacono sings in a convincing falsetto that underscores his archival intents, while adding a sweet, seductive allure all its own.
 
As a result, even the slower songs — “Can’t Forget,” the Mother Hips’ original “Del Mar Station”, and “And Not Cry”, in particular — maintain their reliable rhythms, bringing to mind the iconic influences of Gladys Knight and the Pips, Marvin Gaye, and Al Green in equal measure. “Mister G”, “What Can I Say”, and “You’ll Lose a Good Thing” takes the trip through time back even further, recalling the classic sounds of doo-wop and the seminal sounds of R&B as filtered through the echoes of Motown and Memphis. Like those early recordings, the subjects of the songs embrace love and longing yet still cling to a decidedly optimistic overview. So too, a take on the Genesis standard “That’s All” finds Greg Loiacono playing off the perky rhythm of the original and adding a light-hearted touch of his own.
 
Greg Loiacono’s devotion to that singular style is so convincing in fact, that longtime Mother Hips devotees may find themselves scratching their heads and wondering how he managed to undertake such a seemingly radical transformation in tone and treatment, especially as compared to the West Coast Rock sound with which he’s otherwise associated. Nevertheless, Giving It All Away comes across as both credible and convincing, a return to simpler times when an effusive embrace was all that was needed to win over fans and followers regardless of origin or ethnicity.
 
Clearly, it would be wonderful to unite behind some common cause these days. (By Lee Zimmerman)
 
Listen and buy the music of Greg Loiacono from AMAZON
 
For more information and purchase options, please visit Greg Loiacono website