Jackie Greene's vocals come alive at Golden State Theatre.

Sitting at the piano belting out his country blues anthem “Trust Somebody,” Jackie Greene drips both confidence and existential angst. As the singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist tours with a full band behind his album Back to Birth, “Trust Somebody” has already surpassed 1 million Spotify plays.

A self-taught pianist and guitarist, Greene is a NorCal-bred player whose life changed at age 14 when he discovered a cache of vintage rock and roll and classic R&B recordings in a box in the basement.

His first taste of critical acclaim came in 2002, for his second album, Gone Wanderin’, the title track which cast him as a Seeger-like troubadour. Many took notice, leading Greene to open for veterans like B.B. King, Buddy Guy and Mark Knopfler. His resume also sports stints with the Grateful Dead’s Weir and Lesh, and in 2013, he joined the Black Crowes as lead guitarist for a worldwide tour.

Produced by Los Lobos member and three-time Greene studio collaborator Steve Berlin, Back to Birth is Greene’s first studio release since 2010.

“We know each other well enough we can be blunt,” Greene says, “and he’ll tell me that I’m full of it if that’s what I need to hear.” The session features four other band members and Greene’s adept riffing on guitar, piano, organ and drums.

“I want the songs to come from a place that’s meaningful to me,” Greene says, “but I also want to keep them as direct as I can. I’m thinking, ‘What does this song feel like? What’s it saying?,’ so my goal is to find that emotional experience and convey that.”

This technique results in nearly visual songwriting with emotive lyrics. Consider the hauntingly beautiful title track and its deft guitar licks: “Lay me down for final sleep/ turn the music low/ whisper something I can keep/ and back to birth I go.”

Or the hook-laden, soulful “Trust Somebody”: “Did somebody hurt you/ did somebody lie/ if you’re out of your mind/ broken and blind/ look at yourself/ to turn it around you gotta trust somebody.”

But there’s also rowdy, full-fledged gospel here (“Hallelujah”), along with humor (“Motor Home”): “Don’t let your neighbors bring you down/ if you don’t like ’em/ you can just leave town!”

Greene’s world reflects a kaleidoscope of styles and emotions, unadulterated by the formulaic conventions of most modern songwriting – with verve. He doesn’t just sing songs; he delivers them.

JACKIE GREENE. 8pm Saturday, March 19. Monterey $33.50-$47.50. Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., Monterey. 649-1070, www.goldenstatetheatre.com