Ron Miles (1963-2022)

 American Jazz trumpeter Ron Miles passed away on march 8th. We send all our strength to everyone close to him. 

Ron Miles played on Joe's album Tiny Voices. I'll honor him with this clip made by the late Steve Lippman.

Joe expressed his love for Ron on twitter .

I’m heartbroken at this loss, to say the least. The man offered so much to me in the moment to which you refer (Tiny Voices); but he taught me lessons that have extended far beyond that project…about love, decency, generosity, and the soul that rides the wave those things create. (JH)

 

 And I must leave you with a clip from Ron Miles, Brian Blade and Bill Frissell.

 

Much Love and keep safe,
Stefan and family

UNSPEAKABLE: The Collected Lyrics of Joe Henry, 1985–2020

 Dear all, 

I don't know whether I'd call it exciting news, wonderful news, great,... . I find it definitely not 'just' news. I'll go for beautiful news. 

Joe has announced the release of a book collecting 182 of his Lyrics.

Unspeakable: The Collected Lyrics of Joe Henry, 1985–2020, is a compilation of lyrics that, when “raised by the waters of melody,” created a body of work that established the American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer as an American creative force. The volume features lyrics to 182 songs from Henry’s fifteen albums produced between 1985 and 2020, and nineteen additional songs written for, and with, other artists, such as Roseanne Cash, Mose Allison, and Billy Bragg. The volume also includes 18 black-and-white photographs made by the artist during this same time period. (source)

 

Beautiful news in terms of poetry, life's work, human-being, life, art, and so much more. Joe himself explains :

I found it surprisingly emotional to gather these songs ––to consider them now as a unified body of work. Every one of them, after all, and for a time in my life, was my all-consuming occupation, carrying within it not only my aspirations for it as a singular incantation, but standing each to represent a pilgrim’s progress: the state of my so-called artistry, for better and worse, richer and poorer. Until the next one came along.

The most startling thing for me to witness now from this vantage point is how uniformly these songs all grapple with the things I am still speaking to: our shared humanity as it is thrown into relief by both hope and suffering, and the redemptive power of love over every aspect of our lives. (Joe Henry via the official website) 

Besides the 'standard' version you can also purchase a limited edition (250 copies, signed and numbered) in a custom cloth slipcase. 
pre-order it at nazraeli press . At the same webpage you'll find also some more previewed pages. 

 

Everyone who has been following Joe's work over the years, knows that lyrics are only a portion of his creative writing. Besides wonderful interviews, written conversations there are wonderful essays, poems, and so much more. 

I, for one,  am pleased that his writing is getting the deserved spotlight, and I'm looking forward to more possible future publications. 

Much Love,
Stefan 

 

 

The Wexford Carols (Volume 2) Centuries reaching out to each other

Stange Wonders

The Wexford Carols Volume 2….

 

Photography on these 2 albums bu Laelia Milleri

In 2014 Caitriona O’leary recorded her first album of these Wexford Carols; Produced by Joe Henry, and featuring guests Rosanne Cash, Tom Jones, Rhiannon Giddens. The album consisted of 12 Carols. But there are 22 Carols, and so this second album completes the list …Volume 2.
(Some more info on these Carols you’ll find here)

I personally tend to call this album Chapter 2. In Chapter 1 we got to know the characters, and now it is time to dive deeper into their existence. I must say I was deeply moved in hearing these songs, and I hope in future times we can hear them sung live backed-up by a choir and the accompanying musical instruments relating to the 17th and 18t Century.  

For me, once more, music goes so much further than song. Immediately with the opening seconds of ‘Ye son of Men’, subtly carried by a harmonium drone I felt like entering sacred grounds; ... a strange tension, ‘Strange Wonders’....
The voices, the singing, the music, … it is all performed/sung with so much respect without trying to force it all. I am in deep respect for everyone involved in these songs.

Besides the musical beauty, these 2 albums have a much bigger importance. These songs are important Irish Heritage (And I’m not even Irish). Caitriona O’leary is historically examining these Wexford Carols. Giving us an understanding of them in its time, and at the same time, bringing these songs in our age back home. Centuries reaching out to each other. We must embrace this, and I can believe she is not finished in her quest yet. I have the greatest respect for your journey into this Caitriona.

I believe we will hear more about this, even after these 2 volumes with 23 songs.
Twenty-three ? I hear you oppose. You started saying there were only 22 Carols?
Indeed. But Both albums end with the same ‘The Enniscorthy Christmas Carol’.

I am looking forward to the future story of this all, and perhaps We are fortunate enough one time to enter that sacred ground in real life, and listen to the Choir, the musical history, the Carols, … performed by these wonderful artists.

Stay safe everyone,
Stefan

The Wexford Carols Vol. II Strange Wonders

 Late in the game, but I stumbled on this news. I know what I need to get... 

Caitriona O'Leary has released volume 2 of the Wexford Carols. The first album, produced by Joe, dates from 2014. 

Volume 2 is produced by Ethan Johns and Dom Monks. It features Seth Lakeman (voice, viola), Clara Sanabras (voice, baroque guitar), John Smith (voice, guitar), Stile Antico (Choir), Alison Balsom (trumpet), Olov Johannson (nyckelharapa), Simone Collavechi (lute & renaissance guitar), Deirdre O’Leary (bass clarinet), Mel Mercier (percussion) and John Hearne (bassoon).

find it on heresy records

 

Strange Wonders, The Wexford Carols Vol. II, is the highly anticipated sequel. It features a further 11 carols from the tradition that focus on the spiritual and mystical aspects of the Christmas story - Gabriel’s visitation to Mary, the humble stable, the meeting of Herod and the Magi, the Fall (of Lucifer and of Adam, the Mystery of God as Man - as well as less familiar aspects of this narrative including carols to the saints whose feast days fall within the 12 days of Christmas (24^th December – 6^th January). These includes carols for St. Stephen, St. John, St. Sylvester and the Holy Innocents.classicalexplorer

Come Journey in to the common ground

Mark your calender for 1-11 July, 2022. 

in Those 10 days, Krista Tippett, Padraig O Tuama, Rhiannon Giddens, Francesco Turrisi and Joe Henry welcome you on the Greek Island Patmos. 

We’ll meet with these five luminous cultural creators near the slow rhythms of the Aegean Sea, take time to explore the sacred island of Patmos, swim (and float) in salty waters, venture on the sea by boat, share bread around common tables, and build & bond a community of enriched souls for the journey ahead. There will be plenty of time to be on your own to reflect and explore, as well as moments to connect with a diverse range of other wonderful humans. goodworldjourneys.com.

 

What to expext of these days :

For ten days in July 2022, You’ll come together for an extended conversation that asks: how can we speak to each other in a way that moves us all, individually and collectively, to growth, learning, creativity and change? ... You will delve into eternal spiritual questions and sacred stories and tap into the wisdom of poetry & song.

Register on goodworldjourneys.com .

Age of Apathy by Aoife O'Donovan

 Age of Apathy is th title of Aoife O'Donovan's upcoming record. It is produced by Joe. 

The album will be released on January 21, 2022 

Produced by fellow GRAMMY-winner Joe Henry (Bonnie Raitt, Rhiannon Giddens) and featuring guest appearances from Allison Russell and Madison Cunningham, Age Of Apathy finds O’Donovan’s gift for poetic imagery and unconventionally alluring melody in full bloom as she confronts the sense-dulling barrage of the digital age. Amid symphonic arrangements that reveal a stunning mastery of her craft, Aoife puts forth a statement of defiance and radical love — one that reaffirms her as one of our most vital songwriters today.

O’Donovan recorded Age Of Apathy through a unique arrangement with Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL, logging daily hours on-site at their studio with GRAMMY-nominated engineer Darren Schneider (Deep Purple, Koryn Hawthorne, Trivium) - who also mixed the album - all the while collaborating entirely remotely with Henry. While her previous albums were composed and recorded in an adrenalized rush between tours, the creation of Age Of Apathy was more deliberate and methodical — a rare silver lining amid the stillness of COVID living.

O’Donovan found the routine freeing. Remote collaborations — particularly with bassist David Piltch and drummer Jay Bellerose — introduced unexpected rhythms and textures into the architecture of the songs, allowing O’Donovan to bend her sound into more expansive shapes. And with the expert guidance of Joe Henry, she was able to develop the dreamy, richly orchestrated — but never overwrought — soundworld that gives Age Of Apathy its distinct and enveloping aesthetic. (aoifeodonovan.bandcamp.com)

 Listen to a wonderful version of 'Prodigal daughter' eaturing Allison Russell. 

Aoife O'Donovan Collaboration

 Aoife O'Donovan has recently released 2 new song: "More Than we know" and "Captain's Clock". (source)

Both songs are produced by Joe, and more songs will follow.  "More Than we know" was co-written by Joe, and features the Milk Carton Kids as special guests. 

During AmericanaFest;  Aoife O'Donovan and Joe Henry will be joined by Darren Schneider to discuss this project. (For more details : follow AmericanaFest)

And now for something completely different...
Yesterday Joe confirmed that after this 1,5 year pandemic it is finally happening : Joe's concert at City Winery is (re-)scheduled for November 14.

Enjoy it all !