Greg Trooper and Band Up On The Bandstand (CD)

(New Shot Records) 15 tracks - digisleeve

Greg Trooper: a majestic singer-songwriter who deserves 12 times as much attention as he's gotten

I met Greg Trooper one night in Sesto Calende, Italy, where he was booked to play with his former band, the same band that is featured on this CD, that same year, 1997. Gentleman promoter Mr. Carlo Carlini was there, of course, and rigorously spoke only Italian, supplemented by hands and body language. Greg was amazed, but the two of them understood each other perfectly. You can't help but marvel at this situation. As we left the restaurant and made our way to the venue, Greg and I walked side by side for about 10 minutes. 10 minutes of intense conversation (in English) was more than enough for me to realize how truthful, genuine and kind this man was. He was humble, quiet and reserved. He laughed when I told him he was one of the best out there. And he laughed even harder when I told him how much money I spent at the Colony Records store on Broadway (in NYC) to secure a used copy of his first album "We Won't Dance" from 1986.

On his website (still online), the introduction to the biography reads, "Trooper, a New Jersey native, is a superb character actor who draws marvelous portraits of people in good times and bad. His matter-of-fact style - both as a singer and songwriter - lends a sense of realism to the stories he tells. His music straddles the intersection of Memphis soul, Greenwich Village folk and Texas troubadour. As a live performer, he has been described as articulate, quick-witted, extremely musical, outrageous, compassionate and kind." I wholeheartedly agree, if I may say so. Sometimes biographers tend to exaggerate the good... not in this case!

The music world has praised him to the skies. Steve Earle once declared: "Greg Trooper writes great songs, including one of my all-time favorites, 'Little Sister'. And then there's his voice - an instrument I've coveted for 15 years." Renowned journalist Dave Marsh wrote: "Greg Trooper is a songwriter and artist who deserves about 12 times as much attention as he's gotten so far. He knows how to play off rock against country and folk, pitting the pressures of adulthood against the yearning for youthful freedom."

As a music lover, enthusiast and avid collector, I have tracked down many of Greg's live recordings around the world over the years. I always felt there was something about the November 15, 1997 show in Chiari, IT that deserved an official release. For one, there are no live discs in our man's catalog with the full band. Secondly, the sound quality is fantastic, and the quartet is tight, well-rehearsed and delivers a super-solid performance. Thirdly, Greg's vocals really shine. When Jack Trooper, Greg's son, heard the master, he instantly liked it and shared my sentiments. As a result, he kindly authorized its release and, as befits a gentleman, asked for no advance credit. Therefore, these will be paid on the basis of actual sales figures. I would like to thank Jack for his kindness and for his kind words regarding both the recording and the artwork.

As fate would have it, Greg Trooper, the singer-songwriter I love so much, is waiting.... WE love him so much, is no longer with us on planet earth. He died on a Sunday, two days after his 61st birthday and less than two years after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I maintain, I sense, that he would have blessed this release too, had he had the opportunity. Be that as it may, his musical legacy remains, it will be with us for a lifetime and hopefully beyond.

Renato Bottani, October 2003