JEFF GREEN
Questions asked by Jon Wilde, added to Rock Realms 18th May 2011.
UK independent progressive rock artist Jeff Green has released an album, entitled "Jessica", about the still birth of his daughter in 1996. The album has already received great reviews from Classic Rock Prog magazine, The Classic Rock Society, Fireworks Mag and more, so we thought we'd catch up with Jeff and find out more.
Hi Jeff, thanks for taking a moment to answer these questions. Hope you are well?
Jeff: Very well thanks, my pleasure!
What’s your musical history? How and when did you get into playing, and when did you realise you had a real talent for it?
Jeff: I started off playing the recorder at the age of 7 and then I moved on to the clarinet a few years later. I’d dabbled with piano for a while until the guitar bug bit me at about 13. I suppose I realized that I had some musical ability when the school conductor had me play first chair clarinet with the older kids at school.
Do you come from a musical family?
Jeff: No. In fact, my Dad to this day still wonders where my “musical gene” came from!
Who were your early influences? Who do you really rate these days?
Jeff: Rick Wakeman, Yes, Pink Floyd, Rush, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Kansas, Alan Parsons, The Beatles among many others. Currently, I’m really into Porcupine Tree, Dream Theater, Transatlantic, Spocks Beard, Neal Morse etc…
Are you a progger through and through, or do you enjoy dabbling with other styles of music too?
Jeff: Well, Prog is certainly my main passion. But I enjoy everything from Jazz-Classical, Country Rock-to Metal. As long as it’s played well and for the right reasons I’m open to it!
Your new album “Jessica” tells the sad story of your daughter’s still birth back in 1996. Why was now the time to create the album, and what actually inspired you to turn your memories into music?
Jeff: I actually started writing it in 1997, but due to various issues like the subject matter, time constraints, finances etc., it ended up taking 11 years to finish. Because of the nature of the album, I adopted the attitude that it will be finished when it’s finished as I didn’t want to rush anything. I’ve always felt that music is one of the most effective ways of expressing oneself and I also felt that it would be a fitting tribute to my daughter as well as creating some awareness of stillbirth.
Proceeds from the album are going to charity. Can you tell us more about that?
Jeff: Yes, all the profits will be going to the upkeep and maintenance of the bereavement room in Southend General Hospital in Essex (UK) . The room didn’t exist when I went through my experience with Jessica. Basically, it’s a place for the parents and family members to go when a tragedy like this strikes, away from the actual maternity ward.
Was this a hard album to make, or was it a surprisingly cleansing experience?
Jeff: Both... Sometimes the emotions would become so overwhelming that I would have to leave it for a while. Other times it was a very joyous almost spiritual experience. Now that the album is completed I feel very grateful for being in a position to be able to share this music. The album has certainly purged a lot of grief.
Are there any particular tracks you’re especially proud of, or is it all brilliant?
Jeff: Well, I never describe anything I’ve done as brilliant, but I’m very proud of “Woman With Child” the song seemed to write itself and I think its some of my best guitar playing on the album.
How did you get the various guests involved in the project?
Jeff: They were all people that I had worked with in various bands over the years. When the time came to start recording what I had written, they were all very happy to come on board. I was very fortunate in that regard!
Is there anyone else you’d love to work with on a future project?
Jeff: See question 4: All of them!!!
Any question you love being asked that I’ve missed? If so, what’s the answer?
Jeff: What am I up to next?... which is ‘My latest project is called “Elder Creek” and should hopefully be released late Summer 2011’
What are you up to once you’ve finished answering these questions?
Jeff: A spot of lunch and then back in the studio!
Anything else you would like to mention?
Jeff: I’d just like to say a big thanks to you and everybody at Rock Realms for giving me this opportunity and for the great work you’re doing for independent artists like myself! Plus I cannot stress enough about the cause the profits from Jessica will be going to help.
Thanks again to Jeff for his time. And make sure you buy his album! (See the link below)
http://web.mac.com/jeffrgreen/Jeff_Green/Jessica.html
