Album of the Month, Sept 09 – Joe Henry ‘Blood from Stars’

I hope, for those who have visited my blog over the short few weeks that it’s been live, have noticed that I don’t favour any particular type/genre of music – I just like great music. Last month’s song of the month was Bruce Springsteen ‘Working on a Dream‘, the album – Scott Matthews Elsewhere; CDS reviews include Faust, Bell X1 and Aynsley Lister. What do these artists have in common? Nothing really except when I hear the music I go “mmm – I like that” – simple but effective.

So this month’s Album of the Month is Joe Henry’s `Blood from Stars’, a truly wonderful collection of songs that although a wee bit dark brings hope – hope that music as good as this is still being produced, still being enjoyed. Even though it probably won’t be well marketed, probably won’t zoom to the top of the charts (do they have still have charts?), it has made me content, jovial, cheery, joyful, exultant, on cloud nine (OK I’m running out of adjectives) but you get my point – the album is good.

I came across this album on Andy Gill’s page in the Independent (UK newspaper) – I like this guy, his taste in music is similar to mine (although he does like his rap) – so when he gives a new album 4 or 5 stars I normally buy it regardless of who it is. Most of the time this works as Andy does not give 4 or 5 stars easily; he appreciates good music, is very hard to please, always appreciates the music nothing else.

So the album, well it’s kinda classed as a bluesy, but I don’t agree with that – it has if anything a more earthy, rootsy feel to it. I hear Americana, folk, jazz, Memphis, Delta, Tom Waits and all that is great about the independent, unconventional music that so often comes out of America. It’s basically a good singer/songwriter doing what he does best – singing songs.

Backed by a terrific band including Marc Ribot (Tom Waits, Elvis Costello) on guitar, renowned session bassist David Piltch, Jay Bellerose on drums and much-admired jazz pianist Jason Moran, you can’t help being swept away by the quality of the music – I would eat a finger to see these guys live. You have to remember the pedigree of this guy, apart from several excellent solos albums he’s produced the likes of:

* Elvis Costello / Allen Toussaint 2006 – The River In Reverse
* Solomon Burke 2002 – Don’t Give Up on Me (Grammy)
* Ani DiFranco 2004 – Knuckle Down
* Rodney Crowell 2008 Sex and Gasoline (Grammy nomination)
* Loudon Wainwright III 2007 – Strange Weirdos

So, is it worth buying? Good question – only you know how you will spend your hard earned cash – but yes if you like my blog and the small sample of music presented here, then YES, buy it.