[FM] FAMEReview: Jim Henry - The Wayback written by Roberta B. Schwartz

[David N. Pyles]

The Wayback
Jim Henry
SIG1243

Signature Sounds
P.O. Box 106
Whatley, MA 01093

http://www.signature-sounds.com

A review written for the Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange by Roberta B.
Schwartz (rschwartz@oeb.harvard.edu)

Jim Henry is one of the great, largely unsung talents on the acoustic music
scene today.  Perhaps it's because he lives in the western Massachusetts
enclave of musicians which includes the likes of Dar Williams, Cliff
Eberhardt and the Nields.  Or perhaps it's due to the fact that four years
have passed since his debut recording, Jacksonville, was released.  But he
has not been idle during those years.  He has toured extensively, often in
the company of Maria Sangiolo.  He has made an instrumental recording with
Brooks Williams, and he has provided the Burns Sisters with extraordinary
backing on guitar.  Jim Henry is a man of many talents.

And so it is with a great deal of excitement and anticipation that we greet
the release of Jim Henry's second recording on the Signature Sounds label,
"The Wayback."  The recordings on the CD are all live and unedited.
Richard Gates on bass and Doug Plavin on drums both appeared on Henry's
first recording.  The Burns Sisters, Annie and Jeannie, appear here
providing stellar backing vocals.  It all comes together with Jim Henry's
warm, comfortable, smooth as butterscotch voice and outstanding
musicianship on guitar.

No one celebrates old-fashioned love of family and the places of one's
childhood like Jim Henry.  The recording opens with "Drive-In Movie Picture
Show," which describes the simple pleasure of taking off with your family
one summer night to enjoy the latest film offering at the neighborhood
drive-in theater.  "Ruby (The Girl with the Flyaway Hair)" is an
instrumental tribute to Henry's small daughter.  And "We Think We'll Keep
Him" is a fun, joyous, upbeat tune which is really a love song to Henry's
little boy.

Something about the timbre and inflections of Jim Henry's voice, and the
nature of his melodies provide a country feel to much of his music.
"Leaving Time," with it's tortuous tale of love gone wrong, accompanied by
some fine work on guitar, and "Restless," with its upbeat melody and
country-flavored guitar, are just two examples of Henry's ability to cross
over into the country music genre.  And, you can do a perfect two-step to
"Texas."

 Jim Henry hails from the midwest.  His love of this part of the country
shows in one of the recording's best cuts, "Sound of the Whistle Blow."
It's all here: Henry's warm, smooth vocals, the beautiful melody played out
on both acoustic and electric guitars, and the stunning harmonies of Annie
and Jennie Burns.  This is a near perfect song.

"The Wayback"  is Jim Henry's way back into recording and performing his
own original music.  With his warm, accessible baritone celebrating love of
home and family, and his extraordinary skill on guitar, his presence on the
music scene has been sorely missed.  So, do find your way to Jim Henry and
"The Wayback."  Jim Henry is back and that's a good thing, for sure.

Track List:

Drive-In Movie Picture Show
Leaving Time
Restless
Eddie and Pearl
Ruby (The Girl with the Flyaway Hair)
Sound of the Whistle Blow
Texas
1967
Doc's Rag
We Think We'll Keep Him
Lay Your Head Down
Last Call
(Hidden track: An instrumental piece)

Edited by  Jonathan Colcord (absconc@grolen.com)

Copyright 2000, Peterborough Folk Music Society and Roberta B. Schwartz.
This review may be reprinted with prior permission and attribution. 

================
David N. Pyles
Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange
P. O. Box 459
Brattleboro, VT 05302-0459
(802) 257-0336 Mon-Thur 9:30am-4:30pm
http://www.acousticmusic.com/frames
http://www.acousticmusic.com/frames/fame.htm
=====================
fast and loud, that's the world we live in
fast and loud, always in your face
trouble is 
with almost everything
that means anything
quiet is the volume
slowly is the pace

Grit Laskin "Fast & Loud"