Alan Freedman
New York Guitarist/Songwriter AKA “The Gator”

Forthcoming 2024 — 2 NEW CD Releases!

“The heart of the music is in the lyrics.”

Two NEW collections of all-original, compelling story-songs are coming soon from a vintage NYC rocker.

The personal tunes outline a point of view and philosophy with diverse subject matter such as relationships, social-crisis issues, and a cast of characters drawn from life’s experience.

“There’s a man of many chapters
Whose life’s an open book
It’s there for all to see
If you take a closer look.”
(Man of Many Chapters)

“Got her red shoes on, and
Caught deep in a trance
There’s an aroma of exotic perfume—
Roll back those tables and chairs
‘cause baby’s gone mambo—”

Both albums showcase a cross-section of today’s musical styles (alternative rock n roll, Latin, blues, world, folk)
“Protect the Constitution” is available on YouTube and is accompanied by a full video.

Protect the Constitution

A musical expression and social commentary about our volatile political landscape in 2020.
A call to vote for change…
“We need a leader, And not a fiasco—To save our country, To keep its soul”

 © 2020 Freedacres Music

AND—check out the recent Eco-Evolution CD which addresses climate change 

The solo debut of guitarist/songwriter, Alan Freedman explores a range of topics: Eco-Evolution, the title track, brings attention to the crucial subject of climate change and global warming in the world today; Back There in My Mind offers a special tribute to longtime idol, John Lennon; and They R Reggae Music toasts the pioneer stars of the reggae world.

Unique song-writing style, poetic lyrics, stinging guitar riffs, and catchy melodies—classic alternative rock and reggae from New York’s own journeyman.

Recorded at Freedacres and Big Twig Studios. Freedacres Music. BMI

Enjoy!

The solo debut of guitarist/songwriter, Alan Freedman explores a range of topics: Eco-Evolution, the title track, brings attention to the crucial subject of climate change and global warming in the world today; Back There in My Mind offers a special tribute to longtime idol, John Lennon; and They R Reggae Music toasts the pioneer stars of the reggae world.

Unique song-writing style, poetic lyrics, stinging guitar riffs, and catchy melodies—classic alternative rock and reggae from New York’s own journeyman.

Recorded at Freedacres and Big Twig Studios. Freedacres Music. BMI

Enjoy!

Purchase Options

Purchase Options

$15.00 CD special — signed by Alan, aka “The Gator”!

Buy Now

Available for sale digitally on Amazon, Apple iTunes, Google Play.

For your listening pleasure listed on popular music streaming platforms like Spotify.

And watch the video on YouTube.

$15.00 CD special — signed by Alan, aka “The Gator”!

Buy Now

Available for sale digitally on Amazon, Apple iTunes, Google Play.

For your listening pleasure listed on popular music streaming platforms like Spotify.

And watch the video on YouTube.

Preview Tracks

 1. Back There in My Mind (Song for John Lennon) 5:10
2. Fajardo 6:41
3. Keep On Where I’m Goin’ 4:57
4. Summer’s Luv Affair 4:44
5. Life’s for U 5:01
6. The New Age Blues 5:06
7. They R Reggae Music 5:15
8. ECO-Evolution 8:18
9. You Play with My Feelings 5:46
10. The One That Got Away 4:31

Preview Tracks

 1. Back There in My Mind (Song for John Lennon) 5:10
2. Fajardo 6:41
3. Keep On Where I’m Goin’ 4:57
4. Summer’s Luv Affair 4:44
5. Life’s for U 5:01
6. The New Age Blues 5:06
7. They R Reggae Music 5:15
8. ECO-Evolution 8:18
9. You Play with My Feelings 5:46
10. The One That Got Away 4:31

Featuring Back There in My Mind (Song for John Lennon)
Guitarist Alan Freedman reflects on the music rock scene in Greenwich Village and makes a special tribute to John Lennon. 

Photos courtesy of Ed Watkins. Click on thumbnails for larger images.

Visit the Photo Archives for more…

Photos courtesy of Ed Watkins. Click on thumbnails for larger images.

Visit the Photo Archives for more…

About Alan Freedman

In addition to his own music and projects, Alan has had a 45-year musical relationship with Garland Jeffreys as a longtime guitarist. Since helping Garland secure the Atlantic debut album in 1973, he has recorded and arranged on a dozen GJ albums, including the major Ghost Writer (1977) which earned Garland acclaim in Rolling Stone. He has performed as a duo and toured with bands in the US and Europe. (Garland, in turn, appears on two tracks of this album: #1 “Back There…” and #3 “Keep On…”.)

In the mid-’60s, Alan started playing the New York Greenwich Village club circuit, which led to accompanying Tim Hardin, Garland Jeffreys, Adam Miller, Big Jae Mason, Larry Johnson, Bev Grant, and Doris Abrahams. In 1974, he played an historic Bob Dylan event at the Bitter End with Dylan, Bob Newirth, and Patti Smith when Dylan was forming the Rolling Thunder Review. Other associations include Steve Forbert (“Jack Rabbit Slim”) and opening for Gordon Lightfoot “Southeast Sundown Tour” as a duo with Lynn Kellogg.

Alan’s writing includes the original music soundtrack for the film, Shadow Catcher by T.C. McCluhan—an award-winning film on the work of photographer Edward S. Curtis who documented the early twentieth century Native Americans—recording and producing the track on guitar with Jeremy Steig on flute and Chip White on drums.

In 2003, he accompanied Garland Jeffreys as a duo in the documentary The Soul of a Man, directed by Wim Wenders, which was the fourth installment of the documentary film series The Blues, produced by Martin Scorsese. The segment explored the musical career of blues musician Skip James.

Writing and arranging music and lyrics all these years (having penned more than 100 tunes), Alan has developed his own songwriting style. He continues to write, arrange, and play guitar in various projects, backing up many musicians as a freelance guitarist. This experience has culminated in the late fall 2018 publication of this first solo CD, Eco-Evolution.

Need more?  (click on + symbol to reveal timeline)

Alan began playing violin, and later viola, at age 9. He soon built his first guitar from a cigar box with resonating rubber bands. His first “real” guitar was a Stella acoustic. Born to Manhattan artist parents on July 4, 1947—in St Louis where his mother returned to give birth, he claims to have gained his first blues and rock (Chuck Berry) influence from the first three months of his life there.

Gator’s Music Chronology Excerpts & Timeline:

  • First band, The Variations, formed in 1961 at age 14 with trumpeter Bob Arthurs who, to this day, commands high regard in the jazz circuit, and drummer Carl Peachman
  • By 1963-66, Alan’s high school basement jam sessions were local legend and attracted the attention of a wide band of aspiring pirates including Alan Merrill, John Houseman, and dear friends since departed­—Carl and pianist Chris Ishii (Dobbs Ferry & San Diego)
  • During this time, his musical interests expanded: self-studies and appreciation of the great traditional bluesmen; jazz guitar including private studies with jazz guitarist Skeeter Best and, a few years later, with Jim Hall; classical guitar with Julio Prol
  • Mannes College of Music, then on Lexington and 74th Street in 1965—studies on viola with Violist Paul Doktor and on classical guitar with Leonid Bolotine

In the words of his mother, Louise, “Alan had a wonderful bowing arm—but he loved rock and roll.”

Early 1966: (Water Tower East) Alan was one of the original raga rock boys of the 60s playing open tunings with a Sitar pick. Alan Merrill (“I Love Rock & Roll”) then formed, with Carl Peachman, Water Tower West. (Both Alans are still friends and rockers.)
1969: (Tim Hardin) Met, and began playing with, folk songmaster, Tim Hardin, accompanying him on the July 1969 Schaefer Music Festival in Central Park on a co-bill with Joni Mitchell
1969–1975: Meets Adam Miller (who penned the song for Helen Reddy, “West Wind Circus”, and was a staff songwriter for Wes Farrell); plays out, and records. Recorded “John Wilkes” with Adam on Westwind Circus, Chelsea records
1971: JABLAC “Jazz-Rock Fusion Band” with Chip White, drums; Calvin Hill, bass; Les Lumley, congas; and Bill Chelf, keyboards.
1971: (“EL JIMS” Soul Band) USO Tour to Greenland with Jim Garrett, bassist for the Supremes
1971–Present: (Garland Jeffreys) Began long-term relationship with GJ and teamed as a duo as he landed first (Atlantic) record deal. in 1973. Tours, as a duo, included opening for Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side” and Jimmy Cliff’s, “Harder They Come.” Performed, arranged, and recorded 1971 to the present on at least ten albums on Atlantic, Arista, A&M, Epic, Sony, BMG.
1972: (Larry Johnson) Intermittent gigs with ragtime bluesman, Larry Johnson (Rev. Gary Davis protege)
1972–75: (Bev Grant “The Human Condition”) Met and accompanied social & political folk-rock artist Bev Grant. Performed on “Hard Times”.
1973: Garland Jeffreys Atlantic Records Debut; Recording/Arranging
1973: (Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee) Shared bill at Bitter End
1973–5: Doris Abrahams — Guitar accompaniment for singer-songwriter Doris Abrahams on the road and in the NYC clubs 
1974: Garland Jeffreys, “Wild in the Streets” Single; Record with Dr. John’s band
1974: (Bob Dylan & Bob Newirth & Patti Smith) Played historic jam event at Bitter End with Dylan when he was forming the Rolling Thunder Review
1977: Back up guitar for the English singer-songwritrer, Bridget St. John, at the legendary Kenny’s Castaway on Bleecker Street. Side note: the opening act for Bridget was Steve Forbert who scored a major review in the NYT on his arrival to the Big Apple.
1977: Elizabeth Corrigan, Maryland, singer-songwriter. “Elizabeth” at Max’s
1976: Big Jae Mason Singer/country blues – Village appearances
1976–77: Ghost Writer Garland Jeffreys Recording/Arranging
1977: Lynn Kellogg “Southeast Sundown Tour” — Duo opening for Gordon Lightfoot
1977: (Steve Forbert) While playing on the Village scene, met Steve on his “arrival.” Plays on Jack Rabbit Slim—“Complications”
1977: The Freed-Man Band Trio with Tony Mercandante, bass & vocals, (Street Kid & Chip Taylor), and Winston Grennan, the original Jamaican drummer (Toots & the Maytells and Jimmy Cliff–The Harder They Come).
1978: Formed The Provincetown Radiators
1979: American Boy & Girl Garland Jeffreys Recording/Arranging
1980s: Formed bands: Rockin, Reggae Rollers; The Thangs; American Heirs
1981: Escape Artist Garland Jeffreys Recording/Arranging
1983: Guts for Love Garland Jeffreys Recording/Arranging/Associate Producer
1985–1993: Formed The Troubleshooters, a major project, with Ed Watkins. Played out in East Village circuit: CBGBs, Pyramid, Tramps, Lonestar, Bowery, etc.
1987: Released ‘45 single “Cry Lament for Brian Jones” / “Mary High School” (available on request).
1992: Don’t Call Me Buckwheat Garland Jeffreys Recording/Arranging
1997: Wildlife Dictionary Garland Jeffreys Recording/Arranging
2006: Garland Jeffreys Duo Tour Italy, Paris, Brussels
2007: Garland Jeffreys Duo Tour England
2010: Max’s Kansas City Benefit event Bowery Ballroom with Garland Jeffreys and Lou Reed
2011: The King of In Between Garland Jeffreys Recording/Arranging
2012: Rubin Museum “Naked Soul” NYC duo with Garland Jeffreys
2016: Passim’s Cambridge, MA / Longfellows Portland, ME — Garland Jeffreys Power Trio
2017: 14 Steps to Harlem Garland Jeffreys Recording/Arranging
2018: Records and releases first solo album release: Eco-Evolution

About Alan Freedman

In addition to his own music and projects, Alan has had a 45-year musical relationship with Garland Jeffreys as a longtime guitarist. Since helping Garland secure the Atlantic debut album in 1973, he has recorded and arranged on a dozen GJ albums, including the major Ghost Writer (1977) which earned Garland acclaim in Rolling Stone. He has performed as a duo and toured with bands in the US and Europe. (Garland, in turn, appears on two tracks of this album: #1 “Back There…” and #3 “Keep On…”.)

In the mid-’60s, Alan started playing the New York Greenwich Village club circuit, which led to accompanying Tim Hardin, Garland Jeffreys, Adam Miller, Big Jae Mason, Larry Johnson, Bev Grant, and Doris Abrahams. In 1974, he played an historic Bob Dylan event at the Bitter End with Dylan, Bob Newirth, and Patti Smith when Dylan was forming the Rolling Thunder Review. Other associations include Steve Forbert (“Jack Rabbit Slim”) and opening for Gordon Lightfoot “Southeast Sundown Tour” as a duo with Lynn Kellogg.

Alan’s writing includes the original music soundtrack for the film, Shadow Catcher by T.C. McCluhan—an award-winning film on the work of photographer Edward S. Curtis who documented the early twentieth century Native Americans—recording and producing the track on guitar with Jeremy Steig on flute and Chip White on drums.

In 2003, he accompanied Garland Jeffreys as a duo in the documentary The Soul of a Man, directed by Wim Wenders, which was the fourth installment of the documentary film series The Blues, produced by Martin Scorsese. The segment explored the musical career of blues musician Skip James.

Writing and arranging music and lyrics all these years (having penned more than 100 tunes), Alan has developed his own songwriting style. He continues to write, arrange, and play guitar in various projects, backing up many musicians as a freelance guitarist. This experience has culminated in the late fall 2018 publication of this first solo CD, Eco-Evolution.

Need more?  (click on + symbol to reveal timeline)

Alan began playing violin, and later viola, at age 9. He soon built his first guitar from a cigar box with resonating rubber bands. His first “real” guitar was a Stella acoustic. Born to Manhattan artist parents on July 4, 1947—in St Louis where his mother returned to give birth, he claims to have gained his first blues and rock (Chuck Berry) influence from the first three months of his life there.

Gator’s Music Chronology Excerpts & Timeline:

  • First band, The Variations, formed in 1961 at age 14 with trumpeter Bob Arthurs who, to this day, commands high regard in the jazz circuit, and drummer Carl Peachman
  • By 1963-66, Alan’s high school basement jam sessions were local legend and attracted the attention of a wide band of aspiring pirates including Alan Merrill, John Houseman, and dear friends since departed­—Carl and pianist Chris Ishii (Dobbs Ferry & San Diego)
  • During this time, his musical interests expanded: self-studies and appreciation of the great traditional bluesmen; jazz guitar including private studies with jazz guitarist Skeeter Best and, a few years later, with Jim Hall; classical guitar with Julio Prol
  • Mannes College of Music, then on Lexington and 74th Street in 1965—studies on viola with Violist Paul Doktor and on classical guitar with Leonid Bolotine

In the words of his mother, Louise, “Alan had a wonderful bowing arm—but he loved rock and roll.”

Early 1966: (Water Tower East) Alan was one of the original raga rock boys of the 60s playing open tunings with a Sitar pick. Alan Merrill (“I Love Rock & Roll”) then formed, with Carl Peachman, Water Tower West. (Both Alans are still friends and rockers.)
1969: (Tim Hardin) Met, and began playing with, folk songmaster, Tim Hardin, accompanying him on the July 1969 Schaefer Music Festival in Central Park on a co-bill with Joni Mitchell
1969–1975: Meets Adam Miller (who penned the song for Helen Reddy, “West Wind Circus”, and was a staff songwriter for Wes Farrell); plays out, and records. Recorded “John Wilkes” with Adam on Westwind Circus, Chelsea records
1971: JABLAC “Jazz-Rock Fusion Band” with Chip White, drums; Calvin Hill, bass; Les Lumley, congas; and Bill Chelf, keyboards.
1971: (“EL JIMS” Soul Band) USO Tour to Greenland with Jim Garrett, bassist for the Supremes
1971–Present: (Garland Jeffreys) Began long-term relationship with GJ and teamed as a duo as he landed first (Atlantic) record deal. in 1973. Tours, as a duo, included opening for Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side” and Jimmy Cliff’s, “Harder They Come.” Performed, arranged, and recorded 1971 to the present on at least ten albums on Atlantic, Arista, A&M, Epic, Sony, BMG.
1972: (Larry Johnson) Intermittent gigs with ragtime bluesman, Larry Johnson (Rev. Gary Davis protege)
1972–75: (Bev Grant “The Human Condition”) Met and accompanied social & political folk-rock artist Bev Grant. Performed on “Hard Times”.
1973: Garland Jeffreys Atlantic Records Debut; Recording/Arranging
1973: (Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee) Shared bill at Bitter End
1973–5: Doris Abrahams — Guitar accompaniment for singer-songwriter Doris Abrahams on the road and in the NYC clubs 
1974: Garland Jeffreys, “Wild in the Streets” Single; Record with Dr. John’s band
1974: (Bob Dylan & Bob Newirth & Patti Smith) Played historic jam event at Bitter End with Dylan when he was forming the Rolling Thunder Review
1977: Back up guitar for the English singer-songwritrer, Bridget St. John, at the legendary Kenny’s Castaway on Bleecker Street. Side note: the opening act for Bridget was Steve Forbert who scored a major review in the NYT on his arrival to the Big Apple.
1977: Elizabeth Corrigan, Maryland, singer-songwriter. “Elizabeth” at Max’s
1976: Big Jae Mason Singer/country blues – Village appearances
1976–77: Ghost Writer Garland Jeffreys Recording/Arranging
1977: Lynn Kellogg “Southeast Sundown Tour” — Duo opening for Gordon Lightfoot
1977: (Steve Forbert) While playing on the Village scene, met Steve on his “arrival.” Plays on Jack Rabbit Slim—“Complications”
1977: The Freed-Man Band Trio with Tony Mercandante, bass & vocals, (Street Kid & Chip Taylor), and Winston Grennan, the original Jamaican drummer (Toots & the Maytells and Jimmy Cliff–The Harder They Come).
1978: Formed The Provincetown Radiators
1979: American Boy & Girl Garland Jeffreys Recording/Arranging
1980s: Formed bands: Rockin, Reggae Rollers; The Thangs; American Heirs
1981: Escape Artist Garland Jeffreys Recording/Arranging
1983: Guts for Love Garland Jeffreys Recording/Arranging/Associate Producer
1985–1993: Formed The Troubleshooters, a major project, with Ed Watkins. Played out in East Village circuit: CBGBs, Pyramid, Tramps, Lonestar, Bowery, etc.
1987: Released ‘45 single “Cry Lament for Brian Jones” / “Mary High School” (available on request).
1992: Don’t Call Me Buckwheat Garland Jeffreys Recording/Arranging
1997: Wildlife Dictionary Garland Jeffreys Recording/Arranging
2006: Garland Jeffreys Duo Tour Italy, Paris, Brussels
2007: Garland Jeffreys Duo Tour England
2010: Max’s Kansas City Benefit event Bowery Ballroom with Garland Jeffreys and Lou Reed
2011: The King of In Between Garland Jeffreys Recording/Arranging
2012: Rubin Museum “Naked Soul” NYC duo with Garland Jeffreys
2016: Passim’s Cambridge, MA / Longfellows Portland, ME — Garland Jeffreys Power Trio
2017: 14 Steps to Harlem Garland Jeffreys Recording/Arranging
2018: Records and releases first solo album release: Eco-Evolution

Album Notes

(click on + symbol to reveal notes)

Back There in My Mind (Song for John Lennon)

“Back There in My Mind, Song for John Lennon,” is my tribute to my longtime idol, the musician-artist whose unfortunate death occurred December 8, 1980 at the Dakota in NYC. The video reflects on the rock scene in Greenwich Village—as well as the impact of John’s life as a Beatle and beyond. Support vocals are by Garland Jeffreys and Joe Silva; harmonica, Van Hildreth.

Sample lyrics from the song:
Hey—I remember in
Early December a
Radio bulletin
John Lennon got murdered
Well, we held a special vigil<
Up in Central Park—
Salute a fallen hero
Whose fame-thought
Left its mark—

A fishing village on the east coast of Puerto Rico, inspired this tune—along with numerous Don Q rums and a succulent grouper dinner at El Galeon restaurant (in the company of a bodacious señorita).

As a rolling stone gathers no moss, we must move forward and keep our eye on the prize—seek life’s meaning and have an inner faith.

Got turned upside down by an ‘80s’ flame thrower-feline too hard to handle.

A certainly philosophic work, a keeper relationship. Ups downs rapture.

This is the modern age and crazy times, “take it as it comes”, trepidatious with uncertainty.

Sample lyrics from the song:
Hey—
2000 millennium blues
Rock ‘n’ roll’s still making news
World music everybody choose
Rock ‘n’ roll is the
Son of the blues—’cause
Everybody’s got…
The New Age Blues

They R Reggae Music: A toast to more than 30 memorable—and coolest reggae artists—that filled the airwaves with their unique contributions—their philosophies, political awareness, and righteousness.

My serious concern for our environment worldwide prompted the album title. Goal: spark concern; express awareness to climate change and global warming; organize as we watch the political machine tearing down environmental laws fought so hard to attain.

Reflections on a deep love affair; impressionistic, with my best shot at the old standard of songwriting.

Well, there are a few that got away in my search of romance and a mate. Perhaps I’m the one that got away!

Album Notes

(click on + symbol to reveal notes)

Back There in My Mind (Song for John Lennon)

“Back There in My Mind, Song for John Lennon,” is my tribute to my longtime idol, the musician-artist whose unfortunate death occurred December 8, 1980 at the Dakota in NYC. The video reflects on the rock scene in Greenwich Village—as well as the impact of John’s life as a Beatle and beyond. Support vocals are by Garland Jeffreys and Joe Silva; harmonica, Van Hildreth.

Sample lyrics from the song:
Hey—I remember in
Early December a
Radio bulletin
John Lennon got murdered
Well, we held a special vigil<
Up in Central Park—
Salute a fallen hero
Whose fame-thought
Left its mark—

A fishing village on the east coast of Puerto Rico, inspired this tune—along with numerous Don Q rums and a succulent grouper dinner at El Galeon restaurant (in the company of a bodacious señorita).

As a rolling stone gathers no moss, we must move forward and keep our eye on the prize—seek life’s meaning and have an inner faith.

Got turned upside down by an ‘80s’ flame thrower-feline too hard to handle.

A certainly philosophic work, a keeper relationship. Ups downs rapture.

This is the modern age and crazy times, “take it as it comes”, trepidatious with uncertainty.

Sample lyrics from the song:
Hey—
2000 millennium blues
Rock ‘n’ roll’s still making news
World music everybody choose
Rock ‘n’ roll is the
Son of the blues—’cause
Everybody’s got…
The New Age Blues

They R Reggae Music: A toast to more than 30 memorable—and coolest reggae artists—that filled the airwaves with their unique contributions—their philosophies, political awareness, and righteousness.

My serious concern for our environment worldwide prompted the album title. Goal: spark concern; express awareness to climate change and global warming; organize as we watch the political machine tearing down environmental laws fought so hard to attain.

Reflections on a deep love affair; impressionistic, with my best shot at the old standard of songwriting.

Well, there are a few that got away in my search of romance and a mate. Perhaps I’m the one that got away!

stay in touch

stay in touch

Get in touch with Alan at info@alanfreedman.net