Greg Neufeld - Greg Neufeld-EP - Album Review

Greg Neufeld, of Canadian Idol fame, is now pursuing a solo career, after being in a band called Dimarco for a few years. He has an EP out, with 7 beautiful songs, two of which are completely new. You want to purchase it? Come to a show, or drop Greg a line! His band album is also available on iTunes, under Dimarco (Dimarco - EP).

A mix of Dave Matthews meet John Mayer meet Damien Rice, the songs simply are amazing!


1. You Came With a Kiss
The album opener is a good one! Reminiscent of John Mayer's "My Stupid Mouth", this song has a great intro with the guitar. The bridge, with the harmonica, leads in to the chorus very well. Greg's vocals are beautiful and very well supported by the drums and the guitars.

I'm not a ghost, getting to close to me, that's what they see...


2. At Your Door
This song is so good live, with just an acoustic guitar and velvety vocals. The harmonica at the top gives it a nice little mellow feel.

You, you were an angel, just waiting to fly, So why, did you think that this was a joy ride, just waiting to collide, at your door, at your door, at your door...


3. Chase These Clouds
Great, great song. The beat is addictive, the chorus is catchy... The lyrics are beautiful. One of two new songs.

I never wanted this rain to fall but I
Guess it's alright if your at the door and I'm
Hoping you might be the one to
Wave your hand and
Chase these clouds away...


4. Rewind
Another song that totally rocks live. The guitar is so great on this, wow! With a Dave Matthews feel to it, this song allows Greg's gritty vocals to soar in the chorus and bridge. Can't help but groove to this one!

You scream just to know that your heart still glows...


5. Fire
Beautiful acoustic guitar, gorgeous velvety vocals, well thought out lyrics. Simply fantastic.

I ran through the fire
But the rain came down and washed us away
But I ran with my head in my hand
Well I guess you can blame me for this too
If you only knew...


6.Courtyard
Somehow the guitar at the top reminds me of Matchbox 20. But then the funky, jazzy guitar and bright drums kick in and it just feels like a Dimarco song. Great groove, sexy guitar, love the lyrics

And it got me thinking...
Don't be afraid to call my bluff
Don't be afraid to call my bluff
Don't be afraid to call my bluff
Coz I, I am bluffing...


7.Powerless To Change
Gorgeous acoustic guitar, plaintive cello, emotional, smooth vocals... What's not to love? Just close your eyes, let the music penetrates you...

Come find your way
Into this place
I won't breath a word
I just need your faith
Sometimes I don't mean
The words that I say
We are only human
And that's ok

There's no one else
To blame
No one else to blame
We're just powerless to change

Once in a while I feel like
Maybe I know
Why you cry at night
Broken in tongue
I'd find a way
To get up and go
If I could see your smile
From out on the road

There's no one else
To blame
No one else to blame
We're just powerless to change
We're just powerless to change

There's no one else
To blame
No one else to blame
We're just powerless to change
Powerless to change
Just powerless to change
We're powerless to change

If you have not done so, go read my review of the Berkeley Church Show and check out some really nice pictures!

Greg Neufeld and Andrew Austin - The Berkeley Church - December 29th 07 - Show Review

The Berkeley Church is a beautiful Toronto venue with wonderful acoustics. It is an old church that has been converted into a great event venue. Weddings, receptions, fashion shows, music shows, you name it!

On the bill was Andrew Austin and Greg Neufeld. Not only were they playing both a set, there also was a DVD being shot to be added to Greg's upcoming album as a bonus feature (the album will most probably be available late January, early February, but don't quote me on that).

Greg took the stage first, and was in great vocal form. He played a 10 song set:

Lazy Eyes
At Your Door
You and I Both (by Jason Mraz)
Daughters (by John Mayer)
So Far
I'm Ready (by Bryan Adams)
Learning song (with full band)
Sleep You Off (with full band)
Ever You (with full band)
Delicate (by Damien Rice)

Greg was in a playful mood and joked around with the crowd. "You probably heard me play this on a tv show called Canadian Idol... But you didn't vote for me...", he said, jokingly, as he was getting ready to play "I'm Ready". He had the crowd laughing with him. Greg played a mostly acoustic set, except for a few songs he did with a full band (Andrew Austin on guitar/piano, and Andrew's drummer and bassist). That was a nice change - although I absolutely adore Greg acoustic - and it made for a nice little set.

Greg really made my night by playing "Ever You" "Sleep You Off" and "Delicate". I of course enjoyed all of them - from the slow paced, melancholic "So Far", to the powerful "I'm Ready" to the bob-your-head-with-the-beat "At Your Door", I really do love them all! But I especially love those particular three. "Ever You" and "Sleep You Off" are new songs, not yet available, most likely to be on the upcoming album *fingers crossed* "Ever You" has such a great, catchy chorus that really shows off Greg's voice and range. He reaches for those high notes and get into the growl a bit... It's beautiful and gives me goosebumps every time. "Sleep You Off" is just so beautiful... It really shows off Greg's softer side and his velvet voice. The chorus is just amazing...

"If I can sleep you off
If I can close my eyes
And wake up like I forgot
If I can dream you out
Of all the things I've missed
Somehow dreams are different" (not too sure about this last line)

And Delicate... What to say about Delicate? Vocally, it's a hard song to sing, but it fits Greg so well... It really shows off his range and just how beautiful and textured his voice is.

So why'd you fill my sorrows
With the words you've borrowed
From the only place you've known
And why'd ya sing hallelujah
If it means nothing to ya
Why'd you sing with me at all?


Andrew was on next. He played a great set, maybe 10-12 songs? Full band, backup singers, the whole thing. He is so good live! I thought he was really, really good, much better than on the tv show. He's much more jazz influenced than what we saw - he played a long jam with his guitarist (who's quite nice) that was really freaking awesome! Songs he played included Gravity, Sunday Morning (I love this song for him) and many others from his own cd (Just The Way I Feel, Turn Me Over amongst others). Very nice, talented guy that I will most definitely go see play again.

As an encore, Andrew played "Let's Get It On", and it was really cool. Love all the jazz influences this guy has. Then he called Greg up to come sing with him, and they did a song they wrote together, called "Sleep", available on Andrew's album. Their voices harmonize very well together.

"This love will never come back
This love has run it's last lap
This love will never come back"

And here are a few pictures, taken by my friend Tammy:


Greg's set:















Andrew's set:







Encore: