Andrea Van Cleef’s ‘Greetings from Slaughter Creek’: A Transatlantic Americana Journey
Andrea Van Cleef’s new live album, ‘Greetings from Slaughter Creek,’ is an intimate yet expansive snapshot of a singular artist traversing the vast, often shadowed terrains of Americana through an unmistakably European lens.
Recorded in a rustic Texas studio on the cusp of 2025, this record captures a moment of connection between Van Cleef, his collaborators, and the stories etched deeply in the songs themselves. The album will be released digitally and on vinyl on June 26, 2025, via Rivertale Productions.
Van Cleef’s musical journey has been a steadily unfolding narrative, one marked by a fascination with American roots music, filtered through the rugged soul of his Italian heritage. His previous work, especially 2024’s ‘Horse Latitudes,’ received considerable acclaim for its evocative storytelling and brooding, southern gothic moods—an aesthetic that continues here, intensified by the immediacy of live performance. The choice to record at Smilin’ Castle Studio in Kyle, Texas—a place with its own aura—grounds the album firmly within the concept that have long inspired Van Cleef, while the presence of collaborators like guitarist Simon Grazioli and producer Rick Del Castillo adds layers of something fresh.
Tracks span his catalogue from ‘Sundog’ through to ‘Horse Latitudes,’ culminating in a great cover of Johnny Cash’s ‘Big River,’ a nod to the towering influence Cash casts over Van Cleef’s work. Yet, it’s Van Cleef’s voice, a gravelly, haunting timbre with a subtly European inflection that steers this ship…
Among the highlights, ‘Wrong Side of a Gun’ stands out not just for its musicality but for the weight it carries. Originally recorded as a duet with Patricia Vonne (who also appears on this live session), the song’s western metaphor speaks of vulnerability in the face of inevitable hardship, deeply personal with its subtext relating to Van Cleef’s mother’s illness.
What sets ‘Greetings from Slaughter Creek’ apart is its sense of place and collaboration. Van Cleef’s decision to tour Texas and work alongside seasoned session musicians—including Matthew Smith and Mike Zeoli—imbues the album with a palpable sense of community and shared reverence for the craft. The interplay between the players is tight yet loose, structured yet organic, capturing the spontaneous magic that only a live session can hold.
Andrea Van Cleef’s latest offering is a haunting, heartfelt journey well worth the ride.
Headline photo: Mark Del Castillo
Andrea Van Cleef Official Website / Facebook / Instagram / Bandcamp / YouTube
Rivertale Productions Official Website / Facebook / Instagram / YouTube
