When Greg Tressel decided to take another crack at making an album he assembled a fine group of friends to help him lead by producer and drummer, Gary Mallaber who has worked with Van Morrison, Steve Miller and Bruce Springsteen. They rounded out the rhythm section with bassist James “Hutch” Hutchison (Bonnie Raitt), guitarist Jeff Pevar (Ray Charles, Crosby, Stills & Nash) and Barry Goldberg (Bob Dylan, Paul Butterfield) on piano and Hammond B-3 organ. The result is The Hard Way, a collection of twelve strong tracks written by Tressel covering all the genres he loves and honoring all the songwriters who have influenced his life.
The album kicks off with the Tulsa styled title track ,with Tressel joined by backing vocalist Marcy Levy, best known for singing with Eric Clapton, with whom she co-wrote his classic hit “Lay Down Sally.” From there you are treated to Tressel’s easy going baritone leading the way on a trip back to the seventies and an A.M radio playlist of country, roots rock, honky tonk blues, and folksy pop. Each song has an easy familiarity, with just enough cornball sentimament and truthfulness that you instantly find yourself singing along. Tressel sums it all up with the great song “Three Chords and the Truth,” an homage to Woody, Elvis, Dylan and Lennon, delivered with love and respect. If he had only put out this one tune it would have been enough, so the rest is all gravy, and some tasty stuff indeed.
more info go to: http://www.gregtressel.com
Rick J Bowen.
