[FM] Concert Review: Jim Henry with Mark Erelli in Londonderry, NH

[Roberta Schwartz]

Friday, November 24
8 p.m.
The Muse
Londonderry, NH
http://www.musegraygoose.com

Jim Henry with Mark Erelli on guitars and Richard Gates on bass

Southern New Hampshire's finest folk venue hosted western 
Massachusetts' Jim Henry and friends for an outstanding 
post-Thanksgiving show on Friday, November twenty-fourth.  Jim Henry 
is one of the great unsung heroes of the thriving western 
Massachusetts acoustic music scene.  Known for his expertise on any 
number of stringed instruments, for joining the Burns Sisters on 
tour, and being a frequent touring companion of Maria Sangiolo, Jim 
is a fine singer/songwriter in his own right.

Arriving with an array of stringed instruments too numerous to 
enumerate individually, Jim took the stage with his bandmates for the 
evening - Mark Erelli, up and coming singer/songwriter on acoustic 
and electric guitars, and Richard Gates on bass.  Mark has made a 
name for himself by touring throughout the area and by releasing his 
first self-titled recording on the Signature Sounds label.  He's been 
generating a lot of well deserved excitement.  Richard Gates is an 
accomplished bass player, having worked with the likes of Dar 
Williams, Suzanne Vega, Catie Curtis and Patty Larkin, among many 
others).  Jim put together one heck of a backup band.

As if to show off their musical credentials, the band opened with an 
instrumental piece called "I Think It's Gonna Work Out Fine." with 
Jim on electric guitar.  That was followed by a tune called "One 
Horse Town," a song many of us who grew up in small towns can 
identify with.  It was a tribute to the first town Jim lived in when 
he moved to Massachusetts.  One of the things you notice right away 
about Jim Henry, besides his obvious instrumental skills, is the 
smooth, soothing quality of his voice, which can reach into the 
higher ranges as well as the low ones, but mostly maintains a middle 
ground.  It's one of those voices that you can't help but like as you 
feel comfortable to go with it wherever it leads.  You feel that Jim 
is someone whom you already know, or can get to know quite easily. 
It's a good feeling.

Other highlights from the first set included a Doc Watson blues tune 
called "Deep River Blues" which found Jim on a vintage electric 
guitar.  "Restless," from Jim's latest CD, THE WAYBACK, had Jim's 
fingers flying on a winning guitar solo.  This upbeat and lively 
piece also had a bit of a country feel to it, with  the requisite 
traveling analogy.  "Home to Me" was my personal favorite, a lovely 
celebration of the Pioneer Valley which Jim and the many musicians of 
western Massachusetts call home.

Jim and company opened the second set with another instrumental piece 
titled "20th of January," which demonstrated Jim's versatility on 
mandolin.  Then, Mark Erelli performed one of his "hits" from his 
self-titled CD, called "Do It Everyday," about the trials of those of 
us who work the nine to five routine.
Mark is a wonderful songwriter, lyricist and singer with a vocal 
quality somewhere near Ellis Paul's.  He has an extraordinary range 
of musical styles and is simply one of the most musical performers I 
know.  Do give him a listen.

"Into the Blue," from Jim Henry's first recording, was one of the 
highlights of the evening.  Mark Erelli accompanied him here on an 
otherworldly-sounding lap steel guitar.  And Mark treated us with 
another of his tunes called "Fool Number One," inspired by the music 
of Hank Williams.

All in all, it was a memorable evening.  I lost track of how many 
instruments Jim pulled out, but I do remember a couple of electric 
guitars, a handmade acoustic guitar, a new mandolin and a Dobro.  It 
was a treat to hear this man play so well on such a range of 
instruments.

One word about the venue.  It's one of the best places in New England 
to hear acoustic music.  Picture a barn built for the purpose of 
holding a stage and an audience.  Fill it with many individual tables 
lit by candlelight, and arrange antiques, country-flavored 
memorabilia, antiques, flags and wreaths all around - cozy and 
comfortable.  Also treat the audience to an array of hot and cold 
drinks, hors doeuvres and pies and cakes - all included in the price 
of the show.  Check out their schedule at the website above.

Roberta Schwartz



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Roberta B. Schwartz
rschwartz@oeb.harvard.edu
Staff Writer, Music Matters Review
http://www.mmreview.com
Reviewer and Review editor, FAME
http://www.acousticmusic.com/fame/famehome.htm
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