[Cover photo credit to Stacie Huckeba]
Philly-based singer, songwriter and guitarist Greg Sover is set to release his newest album, HIS-STORY, on July 21st, 2023 on Grounded Soul Records. The LP features Blues, Roots, and Rock-tinged tracks and Sover is joined by Band of Gypsies bassist Billy Cox on Jimi Hendrix’s seminal “Manic Depression” and rarity, “Remember.”
The album was recorded in Sover’s hometown of Philadelphia, co-produced by Sover and Jim Salamone, and includes bass player Kenny Aaronson (Bob Dylan, Rick Derringer, Billy Idol, Joan Jett, Hall & Oates) and drummer/podcast host David Uosikkinen (The Hooters).
Sover shares:
It’s all about crossing these boundaries and bringing everyone together, whatever your race, religion or nationality.
HIS-STORY follows Sover’s 2020 EP, The Parade, and takes its name from the album cover art . On the art, Sover appears with his red Stratocaster in front of a building on Jefferson Street in Nashville that prominently features the words, “Support HBCU” (Historically Black College or University) written on its side. Sover chose the spot since it was the site of a guitar battle that Jimi Hendrix lost by default and it highlights his connection to both Billy Cox and Hendrix.
Sover comments:
Jimi is a huge influence on me. The first song I learned on electric guitar was “Purple Haze. When Billy and I first discussed working together, he wanted to hear me playing the Hendrix songs, so he looked at my YouTube live videos before he agreed as he wanted to make sure that the songs were infused with Greg and not an imitation of Jimi. He was really impressed with our version of ‘Remember.
A first generation American of Haitian descent, Greg Sover is a part of the local Philadelphia music scene. He has performed locally and at festivals with the likes of David Uosikkinen’s In The Pocket, Yardbirds, Jeffrey Gaines, Jimmy Vivino, Tommy Conwell & the Young Rumblers, Walter Trout, Sonny Landreth, Popa Chubby and the Marcus King Band.
Sover and his band made the semifinals for two consecutive years at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis and won the 2015 Hard Rock Rising competition at Philadelphia’s Hard Rock Cafe in 2015. He has made appearances at Philadelphia Folk Fest, and Lancaster Roots and Blues Fest, amongst others.
Greg Sover will make select appearances in support of HIS-STORY including June 17th’s one-off tribute, “A Night of Jimi Hendrix” at the Newtown Theatre and September 2nd at the East Petersburg Blues Festival.
