May. 12, 2010 - Issue #760: The Meat Issue

Prevue

A feel for the street

Busking mainstay releases instrumental album

If you've spent any amount of time at Churchill Square, then you've likely heard the clean, floating guitar sounds of busker Breezy Brian Gregg, who is in his third season of popular lunch-hour performances.

A mainstay on the southwest corner of the busy intersection, Gregg received so many requests for recordings of his work that he decided finally to put his gentle craft to tape and offer it up to happy passers-by; the aptly-titled Street hits the streets this Friday.

"I'd always wanted to do an instrumental album. After people started asking for recordings, I decided I'd do it," the Edmonton music veteran laughs. "Also, people forget what a beautiful sound an electric guitar through a tube amp is, just by itself. It's a very pure sound."

To mark the event of his CD release, he'll be taking up his usual spot at Churchill Square from noon until 4:30 pm, with the album available nearby at Tix on the Square. Later that night, you'll be able to catch him with some of his favourite players at the Rossdale Community Hall, where $15 admission gets you a free copy of the CD.

The CD is comprised of 20 instrumental guitar tracks—13 originals and 7 cover songs—and reflects the mixed crowd that Gregg enjoys playing to. There's something for everyone, he offers, as the songs range from pop, blues and rock to classical.

"Downtown is good because you get all kinds of different people," Gregg says. "I've been doing this a long time, and I have a feel for the street. You can hear me for a block and half, and most people like it."

The single unifying theme is the context of the street, which Gregg smartly pays honour to on the record by including a constant backdrop of street noise, recorded from the very spot he busks from. Part concept record, part homage, Street is Gregg's gift back to the city he hopes to help revitalize. V

Fri, May 14 (12 pm – 4:30 pm)
Breezy Brian Gregg
Southwest corner of Churchill Square, free

Fri, May 14 (8 PM)
Rossdale Community Hall, $15 (includes a CD)

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