Titel

Life in Music inspired by Joe Henry


zaterdag 28 juni 2014

Joe Henry On Marriage And The Songs That Embody It

 Joe and Levon were a guest on NPR's Weekend edition.

On the NPR page you'll find the interview, full performances and 1 extra song.

Listen here : http://www.npr.org/2014/06/29/325530723/joe-henry-on-marriage-and-the-songs-that-embody-it



Here is an outtake :

Joe Henry & Don Gonyea on growing up Detroit 


Invisible Hour U.S. tour

The U.S. leg of the tour had 6 stops :
June 20, Great American Music Hall: San Francisco, CA
June 21, Largo: Los Angeles, CA (solo set and a full band set)
June 24, The Birchmere: Washington, DC 
June 25, City Winery: New York, NY 
June 26, World Cafe Live: Philadelphia, PA 
June 27, Brighton Music Hall: Boston, MA 

Dear readers who went to see 1 of these shows : feel free to share, what you want to share, about your own experience of this show. You can leave a reaction, or send me an e-mail.


June 21, Los Angeles 

You can find info about these shows over here.

June 24, Washington

From the Birchmere's Facebook page



 


June 26, Philadelphia



June 27, Boston

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

review by concertmanic

It’s rare that I walk out of a concert feeling outright thankful, but this was one of those. Thank you, Joe Henry, for coming to Boston, and thank you for writing these songs and letting us hear them.


une 20
Great American Music Hall: San Francisco, - See more at: http://joehenrylovesyoumadly.com/#sthash.ZsyoBpfG.dpuf




  • June 20
    Great American Music Hall: San Francisco, CA (w/ Dan Wilson)
  • June 21
    Largo: Los Angeles, CA (solo early set, full-band late set)
  • June 24
    The Birchmere: Washington, DC (w/ Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion)
  • June 25
    City Winery: New York, NY
  • June 26
    World Cafe Live: Philadelphia, PA
  • June 27
    Brighton Music Hall: Boston, MA
  • - See more at: http://joehenrylovesyoumadly.com/#sthash.ZsyoBpfG.dpuf




  • June 20
    Great American Music Hall: San Francisco, CA (w/ Dan Wilson)
  • June 21
    Largo: Los Angeles, CA (solo early set, full-band late set)
  • June 24
    The Birchmere: Washington, DC (w/ Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion)
  • June 25
    City Winery: New York, NY
  • June 26
    World Cafe Live: Philadelphia, PA
  • June 27
    Brighton Music Hall: Boston, MA
  • - See more at: http://joehenrylovesyoumadly.com/#sthash.ZsyoBpfG.dpuf





  • June 20
    Great American Music Hall: San Francisco, CA (w/ Dan Wilson)
  • June 21
    Largo: Los Angeles, CA (solo early set, full-band late set)
  • June 24
    The Birchmere: Washington, DC (w/ Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion)
  • June 25
    City Winery: New York, NY
  • June 26
    World Cafe Live: Philadelphia, PA
  • June 27
    Brighton Music Hall: Boston, MA
  • - See more at: http://joehenrylovesyoumadly.com/#sthash.ZsyoBpfG.dpuf

    donderdag 26 juni 2014

    Metro.us talks about Levon Henry's contribution

    on metro.us Joe talks mostly about his son Levon's contribution. Make sure to read that. It are nice words.


    Joe Henry on WFUV

    Yesterday's radioshow with Joe on WFUV is still online. (I don't know for how long.)

    Update : The show will be listed in WFUV's archives, and can be heard at anytime. 
    Thank you showhost Carmel Holt for this info.


    Joe plays a few songs and talks about 'Invisible hour', producing, choosing for your own label, his new 'New era guitar', using movies in making records, recording at home, tuning,......

    Listen to it on the WFUV website . There you also find some video footage of Joe playing 'Invisible Hour', 'Swayed' and  'Lead me on' in the studio.


    maandag 23 juni 2014

    June 21 : Largo, Los Angeles, CA

    Dear readers who where there : feel free to share, what you want to share, about your own experience of this show. You can leave a reaction, or send me an e-mail.



    Reviews

    Be sure to read David's experience on his Blog : God is in the details

    to see JH perform with some of his most trusted allies is nothing short of amazing

    hollywood reporter
    Words may matter, but Henry leaves the interpretation to the listener. As the lights came up, the crowd (half of whom attended both shows) knew their answer: pay attention, and you will fall in love.

    Setlist 

    source :  hollywood reporter

    (solo set)
    Odetta
    Like She Was a Hammer
    Eyes Out for You
    Grave Angels
    Invisible Hour
    Swayed
    Believer
    The Man I Keep Hid
    Our Song
    Monkey
    Sparrow
    God Only Knows
    Plainspeak
    _____
    Trampoline (w/Charlie Hickey)
    Slide

    (band set)
    Progress of Love
    Grave Angels
    Odetta
    You Can’t Fail Me Now
    Invisible Hour
    Eyes Out for You
    Swayed
    All Blues Hail Mary
    Monkey
    Unspeakable
    Every Sorrow
    Don’t Tell Me to Stop
    Sparrow
    _____
    Slide
    Plainspeak

    woensdag 18 juni 2014

    The Tom Robinson show

    Joe Henry was a guest in BBC6's 'Tom Robinson show.

     

    Today (June 18)  there are 3 days left to listen to it on demand.
    It starts on 35 minutes, 30 seconds.

    Over more then 1 hour, he talks about 'Invisible Hour', choosing for your own label, meeting Lisa Hannigan, producing, 'Richard Pryor adresses a tearfull nation', 'Furious Cool', influences, Solomon Burke, Billy Bragg, wearing suits, and so on....

    from the site :
    Tom chats to American singer-songwriter and producer Joe Henry, who's just released his 13th solo album Invisible Hour. He released his debut album Talk Of Heaven in 1986, and started producing in conjunction with T Bone Burnett. He's since produced albums for artists including Kristin Hersh, Jim White, Aimee Mann, Billy Bragg and Solomon Burke, for who's album he won a grammy.

    donderdag 12 juni 2014

    Joe back in the producers seat for Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell and Bettye Lavette

    In a Spanish (rtve) radio show, Joe was asked what his upcoming production work was.

    he explained that after this tour he's producing a duet album by Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell. Next August he's producing Bettye Lavette again. They already worked together in 2005 and he's really looking forward doing it again.
    (Thanks to my friend Laura for translating)

    listen here.
    The above part starts at 16:30 minutes. 

    read another post about this radiofragment here

    Spanish radio appearance

    Joe and Levon appeared on rtve.es.

    They were interviewed and played live.
    The show is in spanish, and the interview is overdubbed with the translation, so it's not that easy to follow for non-Spanish speaking people. (like me :-) ).


    listen here
    ('Plain speak' live at 9:18 minutes. )




    (Thank you Vladimir, for linking this info.)

    At the end he speaks about new production work. read about it here


    June 12 : BergenFest, Bergen, NO

    Dear readers who where there : feel free to share, what you want to share, about your own experience of this show. You can leave a reaction, or send me an e-mail.


    Review

    musikknyheter
    Joe Henry byr på vakker og sjelfull musikk, nakent og sårbart.
    Freely translated : Joe Henry offers beautiful and soulful music, naked and vulnerable.

    woensdag 11 juni 2014

    June 11 : DR Koncerthus, Copenhagen

    Dear readers who where there : feel free to share, what you want to share, about your own experience of this show. You can leave a reaction, or send me an e-mail.

    review :

    sydsvenskan.se
    Joe Henry själv är en fängslande, emellanåt lite bräkig sångare med en röst som snabbt fyller en salong.

    Freely translated :
    Joe Henry himself is a fascinating, sometimes a little rowdy singer with a voice that quickly fills a salon.

    A 2 day Joe Henry trip




    "Joe, you bring comfort to your listeners. It is a rare gift....."





    Now that I’ve written it, these musings have become a longer writing then I’d imagined up front.

    I went to see Joe play in Amsterdam and Gent. 
    It started with Joe’s little set in concerto record store. (He played together with Levon). Man it was hot. Sweat was floating on everyone’s forehead. You wiped it away, but a second later you were all sweaty again. And we were just standing and listening, what it most of been to play music….
    Afterwards he did a signing session, which gave me the opportunity to present myself. So that he can put a face, a person on this virtual place I have over here. It was nice meeting you Joe and Levon. Thank you again. 


    After dinner came the first concert of 2 I would see. It were two similar sets, but for me a different experience. That is the beautiful power of ‘Live music’. There are so many aspects that can make differences at a concert. For, or by every participant : whether it is artist, audience or co-worker.  
     People’s place Amsterdam and Handelsbeurs Gent are 2 totally different spaces, which give you different acoustics. Amsterdam was in a ‘club’ like room, while Gent was in a bigger room. There were songs that worked better for me at 1 concert then at the other or vice versa. But that’s a very personal thing, and it is different for every listener. 
    From opening song 'Odetta' on you can do nothing else then listen to this wonderful voice, and the equaly nice guitar playing. You just look and see the emotion Joe puts in bringing these songs, how he plays guitar and treats it not merely as an object, but as another friend or musician on stage. 
    @people's place Amsterdam

    After a couple of songs His son Levon joins him on stage to back him up with either saxophone or Clarinet. Although backing up is not the correct expression. Because without him, we would have heard totally different songs. No, we are watching here at a father and son bringing us together the most wonderful music. And so the concert switches between Joe Solo, and in duet with his son. 
     
    @ concerto instore
    In my album review I already pointed out the importance of Levon on this album, it is not different live. He brings that extra layer in the music that again lifts it up. Sometimes way up front there, sometimes as subtle to not notice it, but probably would miss it, if he didn’t play. Friends in Gent explained it as if he was gently whispering with his playing. They never heard anyone play reeds like that. They were full of amazement for him.
    He was more up front for example during ‘the man I keep hid’. This is absolutely a wonderful rendition we heard of this song. Just for that one I would keep returning I think. Absolutely amazing. It felt like Henry Mancini was in the room, and we were in New Orleans. It blew me away what they did with this song.
    Also when Joe and Levon do an instrumental part together, it is fascinating to see Joe handle his guitar. How he moves it back and forth from the microphone and manages his volume in the balance with Levon, without anyone touching faders on a soundboard. Such awareness of working with microphones is a rare talent. Amazing!

    To quote a friend of mine in Gent: “What one man can do with a voice, a guitar and a piano!
    We talked about that after concert. You don’t see that a lot anymore. An artist who just performs with an acoustic guitar, works with it, tunes it between songs and brings us the most amazing music.
    And yes, there were also songs where Joe sat at the piano. It was with ‘God only knows’ or ‘Our song’ from Civilians that the emotional strength of Joe’s work became undeniable. I looked around in the audience at that moment and you could see almost everyone a bit in prayer. Those songs addressed to the deepest emotions of every particular listener. Joe, you bring comfort to your listeners. It is a rare gift.
    The most beautiful thing I saw was a woman around I think 70 Years old.   She was standing in Amsterdam right in front of Joe. She had an arm of someone else on her shoulder, a woman around 50 (in my imagination her daughter). That little image of those 2 people, in their happy moment will stick with me forever. It told me that life IS beautiful. 

    The 2 encores gave us the (again) great playing together in ‘Slide’, and the powerful ‘kindness of the world’.
    They are now traveling to the north of Europe for the last steps in this European tour. I wish them good luck. And most importantly: “Enjoy yourself”.


    P.S. : Before I left for Gent I needed to drop my kids of at my wife’s parents. When I came in I noticed ‘Trans-atlantic’ by Colum Mccann on the table. When my father-in-law noticed my smile, I explained the coincidence. “Wow” he said, “and this Joe worked together with Column McCann ? Respect, because Colum McCann is a great writer”.......

    June 10 : Handelsbeurs, Gent

    Dear readers who where there : feel free to share, what you want to share, about your own experience of this show. You can leave a reaction, or send me an e-mail.


    Reviews

     nieuwsblad 
    Dat publiek genoot duidelijk van de vooral rustige akoestische muziek en doorbrak die rust alleen voor applaus.
    Translated : this audience enjoyed the mostly quiet acoustic music, and only broke that silence for applause.

    concertmanic
    Because it was a (near) solo gig this reduced the songs to their bare essence and proved the extreme high quality of songwriting that his songs have.

    Read my musings about this show here

    Pictures

    visit : nieuwsblad
    visit : flickr

    Trivia

    Belgian singer Frank Vanderlinden was playing at the same time at walking distance from the handelsbeurs in Gent. He said to his audience :
    "Thank you for coming over, but I don't understand. You could have also gone over to see Joe Henry. That's where I would have been, I wanted to go, but I have to be here."

    Setlist


    Odetta
    Like she was a hammer
    Eyes out for you
    Grave angels
    Invisible Hour
    Swayed
    The man I keep hid
    Our song
    Monkey
    After the war
    Lead me on
    Sparrow
    Stop
    God only knows
    Plain speak

    encores
    Slide
    Kindness of the world


    dinsdag 10 juni 2014

    Joe and Levon @ concerto, Amsterdam June 9, 2014

    Joe and Levon Henry played an intimate set in an extremely hot concerto musicstore. Afterwards Joe had a signing session.





    There are some pictures on the store's facebook.  






    Setlist

    Eyes out for you
    Lead me on
    Swayed
    After the war
    Odetta
    Short man's room
    Plain speak

    Read my musings about this show here.

    maandag 9 juni 2014

    June 9 : people's place, Amsterdam

    Dear readers who where there : feel free to share, what you want to share, about your own experience of this show. You can leave a reaction, or send me an e-mail.

    Pictures

    visit : peoples place

    Setlist



    Odetta
    Like she was a hammer
    Eyes out for you
    Grave angels
    Invisible Hour
    Swayed
    The man I keep hid
    Our song
    Monkey
    After the war
    Lead me on
    Sparrow
    Stop
    God only knows
    Plain speak
    encores
    Slide
    Kindness of the world

    Read my musings about this show here.

    zaterdag 7 juni 2014

    June 7 : Niemeyer Club: Aviles, ES

    Dear readers who where there : feel free to share, what you want to share, about your own experience of this show. You can leave a reaction, or send me an e-mail.


    Interviews + Invisible Hour Reviews.

    Hello,

    Lots of Interview and Album reviews around. God is in the details is doing a wonderful work in keeping you posted about them. Check it out !

    In a while I'll be posting also some links, but more focussed on Europe. But as you might have noticed, I'm currently putting most effort in documenting the current tour.

    Greetings,
    Stefan.

    Spanish Interview : blisstopic
    HansPeter Kuenzler : Selected interviews
    for the Brisbane festival (Joe will perform there) : an in-depth chat
    NPR Joe Henry on world cafe


    vrijdag 6 juni 2014

    June 6 : Escenario Santander: Santander, ES

    Dear readers who where there : feel free to share, what you want to share, about your own experience of this show. You can leave a reaction, or send me an e-mail.





    Review

    blog.rocklive.es
    un concierto intenso, con canciones capaces de sujetarse por si mismas a pesar de la sencillez del formato y donde su voz sonó rica y llena de matices.
    Freely transalted :
     an intense concert, with songs able to be secured for themselves despite the simplicity of the format and where his voice was rich and nuanced.

    donderdag 5 juni 2014

    June 5 : Luz de Gas, Barcelona

    Dear readers who where there : feel free to share, what you want to share, about your own experience of this show. You can leave a reaction, or send me an e-mail.

    Javier Mas Joined Joe and Levon on stage for a few songs.  Javier is best known for his work with Leonard Cohen.


    Joe Henry and Javier Mas

    I couldn't keep you readers from this one. It's not every concert Javier Mas joines in....





    (thank you Marissa, for the link.)


    Pictures

    visit : demotix.com
    visit : Getty images
    visit : barcelona music

    Review

    green bean sound
    Pero fue sin duda cuando Henry se sentó al piano cuando el asunto se puso realmente serio, se erizaron los pelos y pudimos disfrutar al artista en toda su magnitud con dos de las canciones de esa obra maestra que es “Civilians” (2007), la fabulosa “You Can’t Fail me Now” ..................... y por supuesto “God Only Knows” la belleza melódica y poética en estado puro .................................. Un verdadero lujo

    Freely translated
    (But it was certainly when Henry sat at the piano that matters became more serious. Our hairs stood up in the end and we could enjoy the artist in all its magnitude with two of the songs from that masterpiece that is "Civilians" (2007), the fabulous "You Can not Fail me Now" ............... and of course "God Only Knows" melodic and pure poetic beauty................................... A real treat.)

    barcelona music  
    elperiodico.cat
    culturaca.com
    Canciones poderosas y frágiles al mismo tiempo
    Freely translated
    (These songs are powerful and fragile at the same time)

    nuvol.com
     i cal immortalitzar-ho
    Freely translated : and you immortalised it.

    setlist

    visit : setlist.fm

    woensdag 4 juni 2014

    June 4 : Teatro Lara: Madrid, ES

    Dear readers who where there : feel free to share, what you want to share, about your own experience of this show. You can leave a reaction, or send me an e-mail.




    reviews

     fanonfire magazine
    ......El ambiente se vuelve más denso, su combinación entre guitarra y voz te va meciendo a un estado de somnolencia agradable. Sin abandonar jamás la vigilia, sientes la caricia de sus dedos en una cada uno de sus acordes......

    freely translated :
    .....The atmosphere becomes more dense, the combination of guitar and voice will rock you into  a pleasant state of dreaminess. Without ever giving into waking, you feel the touch of his fingers in each of its chords.....



    Crazyminds.es
    ...... Improvisando en cada instante vacío, con un estilo libre y despreocupado, Levon garantizó que el legado musical de los Henry está en muy buenas manos...... 

    freely translated
    .....Improvising in every empty moment with a free and carefree style, Levon ensured that the musical legacy of Henry is in very good hands.....

    mondosonoro.com

     J-musind
     era la noche del genio, era la noche de un grande.  

    Freely translated
    (it was the night of genius, it was the night of a big one.)

    entradas agotadas (must read)

    setlist (source : J-musind)

    Odetta
    Like she was a hammer
    Eyes out for you
    grave angels
    stop
    swayed
    monkey
    after the war
    lead me on
    sparrow
    the man I keep hid
    short man's room
    Every sorrow
    plainspeak
    Set List:
    Odetta
    Like she was a Hammer 
    Eyes out of you
    Grave angels
    Stop
    Swayed
    Monkey
    After the war
    Lead me on
    Sparrow
    Man I keep Hid
    Short man's room
    Every Sorrow
    Plain speak - See more at: http://j-musind.blogspot.com.es/2014/06/joe-henry-teatro-lara.html#sthash.LK7OHqg3.dpuf

    Note the little difference between setlist and picture. 






    Set List:
    Odetta
    Like she was a Hammer 
    Eyes out of you
    Grave angels
    Stop
    Swayed
    Monkey
    After the war
    Lead me on
    Sparrow
    Man I keep Hid
    Short man's room - See more at: http://j-musind.blogspot.com.es/2014/06/joe-henry-teatro-lara.html#sthash.LK7OHqg3.dpuf
    Set List:
    Odetta
    Like she was a Hammer 
    Eyes out of you
    Grave angels
    Stop
    Swayed
    Monkey
    After the war
    Lead me on
    Sparrow
    Man I keep Hid
    Short man's room
    Every Sorrow
    Plain speak - See more at: http://j-musind.blogspot.com.es/2014/06/joe-henry-teatro-lara.html#sthash.LK7OHqg3.dpuf

    dinsdag 3 juni 2014

    June 3 : Teatro Central Sala A, Sevilla

    Dear readers who where there : feel free to share, what you want to share, about your own experience of this show. You can leave a reaction, or send me an e-mail.



    Review

    Blisstopic


    If you happened to be wandering in the streets of sevilla.....

    To celebrate the release of his new album, Joe uploaded a video of him performing the title song, in the streets of Sevilla. He is currently there for his European tour.



    Win tickets for the Amsterdam concert.

    platomania is offering the chance to win 2 tickets for Joe's concert in Amsterdam, June 9th.

    You can submit until June 6th.
    Go to the platomania website
    click on the link :'Joe Henry actie' and give your email the subject : Joe Henry actie. 
    (You will be receiving the concerto instore newsletters)

    Concerto is a musicstore were Joe will be doing an instore concert + signing. Also June 9th (16:00h).




    Good luck !

    JH @ Americana Music festival, Nashville

    Joe Henry's official facebook page anounced that Joe will perform on september 18th, in Nashville at the Americana Music festival.

    The complete line up for this festival will be anounced during the summer.




    maandag 2 juni 2014

    Invisible Hour : Blog Review



    I hang ready to be swayed…




    ‘Invisible hour’ is Joe Henry’s 13th album. He said on previous occasions it are songs about marriage. And with this knowledge I find the opening of the album even stronger than it already is without this fact. 

    “It wasn’t peace I wanted, it wasn’t peace I found” are the opening lines of ‘Sparrow’, Opening track of the album. These are, no less than the opening words of a very good book. This 1 line makes you want to listen further, you want to hear his story. At the same time I can completely relate to them, when it comes to having a family.  On top of the words, ‘Sparrow’ is a very beautiful melody. We are being spoiled from the very first chord on. 

    Although this is Joe Henry’s album, I’ll probably remember it as Joe’s album which Levon Henry is lifting  way up there. Maybe here we are also witnessing Joe Henry, the producer. I off course don’t know how it all evolved, but Levon has a major contribution to this album. Sometimes his clarinet surprises you, with a subtle and beautiful interaction, f.e. ‘Grave Angels’, ‘Water between us’ or ‘slide’ . Other times he brings us a wonderful solo. For example, His playing in ‘Sign’ together with the sublime ‘Jay Bellerose’ is really a conversation of 2 people who truly understand each other. All over the album we get spoiled with his beautiful playing. 

    Listening to the swinging ‘Grave Angels’ or ‘Lead me on’, it is hard to believe that they recorded this album just in a few days. Oh,… it must have been a fun time….. The joy of all these musicians is really seductive. ‘Lead me on’ brings us also the warm and beautiful voice of Lisa Hannigan. It’s like receiving a warm hug in this album. You have the wonderful Mandola of John in ‘Slide’, and when you hear ‘plain speak’ or ‘Every Sorrow’…. How to begin with giving enough applause to those who well deserve it.  All of you made this album to what it is. Josh Hurst wrote in his review: “Truthfully, he could have self-titled it and none of us would have raised an eyebrow.”  But I’m willing to bet he agrees with me that these musicians are all a part of Joe Henry. 

    All there is left to say here is : Joe, Jay, Jennifer, Levon, Greg, John, David, Kenneth, Joey and Lisa : I thank you all for bringing this wonderful music.

    I already envy those, who will be hearing these songs performed by the full band. It’s an amazing Chemistry.
     Joe : After your solo tour. Please come back with a ‘full band’ tour ?

    The album is dedicated to the late Irish poet Seamus Heaney. But there are more Irish influences on this album. Off course there is the presence of Lisa Hannigan, but also poet Colum McCann, who co-wrote the title track. Today we find out in a German interview that Colum McCann is also of great importance for the wonderful track ‘sign’.  'Sign' has for me a definite Irish feel, but musically, I think this is most clear on ‘Every Sorrow’.

    Joe manages to bring us songs about marriage, without falling into the trap of anecdote. His lyrics are pure poetry. They hold lots of truth in them. It is indeed ‘plain speak’ when you say : “I want nothing more, then for you to sway me now”. It is something we think a lot, but most of us never speak it plainly.

    He brings us again a different album, in comparison to his previous work, but at the same time it has the mark Joe Henry all over it. How do you do that ? I wonder.
     ‘Invisible Hour’ is truly a masterpiece. Something to be genuinely proud of.  Every now and then an album hits the surface that is absolutely perfect. This one fits right in.

    And like any good book, it ends it with some wonderful closing words which we can hear in ‘Slide’ :

    “….We’re Learning more then we intended…..”


    Greetings,
    Stefan