The blues is one of the most spiritual of all musical styles. No other genre bemoans the brokenness and suffering of the world or longs for redemption from evil quite like the blues. So it was only a matter of time before Joe Henry, a songwriter for the soul if there ever were one, would craft an album deeply rooted in the blues tradition. The result, Henry’s eleventh studio album, Blood from Stars, is a rich and complex listen on which Henry drinks deeply from the wells of blues and jazz while considering the relationship between suffering and redemption.
Henry takes the spiritual themes of the blues to their logical conclusion on Blood from Stars. He has crafted an album on which the music is as deep, dark, and mysterious as its themes, and yet its conclusion is one of hope reminding us that though shadows and fear cover us, so does love and grace. These are not new themes for Henry, but have been with him throughout his lengthy career showing up noticeably on his 2003 album, Tiny Voices. Although that record could be considered a more impressive work, Blood from Stars may be a better – and indeed, the best – Joe Henry album in that it showcases his wide array of talents better than any single disc in his oeuvre.
One of those talents displayed prominently on Blood from Stars is Henry’s skill as a producer. Already 2009 has seen two Henry-produced records: Ramblin’ Jack Elliott’s A Stranger Here and Allen Toussaint’s brilliant The Bright Mississippi. If there was any doubt, it’s clear now that Henry’s role as producer is fueling his creative fires as a songwriter and bandleader. On Blood from Stars, Henry incorporates some of the rugged blues folk of Ramblin’ Jack Elliott and some of the New Orleans jazz of Allen Toussaint into his own recording.
Of course, it’s easy to incorporate the sounds of these other artists since Henry uses the same band for all the records he produces and records. This group of musicians, who play together like a well-oiled machine, includes David Piltch on bass, Patrick Warren on piano, Tom Waits collaborator and all-around terrific musician Marc Ribot on guitar, and the inimitable Jay Bellarose who seems to be able to conjure thunder with his drums. This record is distinct in that it becomes more of a family affair as Henry’s own 17-year old son, Levon, plays saxophone and clarinet on many of the tracks including a romantic instrumental number, “Over Her Shoulder,” which Henry wrote specifically to showcase his son’s saxophone playing.
As terrific as the music is on Blood from Stars, it provides the perfect compliment to Henry’s unrivaled lyrics. He is as skilled at writing lyrics as he is pinpointing the great truths of the universe, so it’s significant that he seems to begin things backwards on Blood from Stars. Most blues songs begin with the narrator decrying the evil that’s been done to himself and in some cases, the singer eventually realizes that ultimately they’ve brought some of their hardships upon themselves. However, Henry begins his blues album, not by lamenting the evil that exists outside of him, but by bemoaning the evil within.
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Article comments
1 - Rolf de Jong
I make a deep bow for your suberb review! Its for me, as a foreigner, sometimes rather difficult to understand the lyrics of J.H., I, agree with you Blood from Stars is a Masterpiece, but I don't think it will be the great breakthrough. Joe Henry stays the best kept secret.
2 - Gavin Breeden
Thanks, Rolf.
I agree with you. I kinda think Henry's music will exist under the radar forever. He's so talented but people are just unaware that he exists. I think right now his music spreads due to word of mouth from fans. We'll see what happens!