God Is In The Details

Joe Henry on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert

UPDATE:  iTunes download of the video here, audio here.

You can watch JH perform several songs from Reverie over at NPR's Tiny Desk Concert.  Follow the link, or simply watch below...

Joe Henry on World Cafe & Fresh Air

Joe Henry's solo performance and interview was aired on WXPN's World Cafe yesterday.  You can listen to it here.

UPDATE:  Also check out this interview with Terry Gross on NPR's Fresh Air.

Joe Henry on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic

Joe Henry appeared on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic today.  The audio rebroadcast is available here (hopefully, the video broadcast will be available over the next day or so).

UPDATE:  And here ya go...

Joe Henry interview w/ Paris DJ's (and other updates)

Nicholas Ragonneau at French music site Paris DJ's has posted a pretty awesome interview with JH.  Quite a few enlightening answers to questions of the "Name your favorite..." variety (Wes Anderson!)

Also upcoming:

• Performance on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic, Nov. 3
• Performance on NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts, Nov. 17
• UPDATE:  Appearance on WXPN's World Cafe, Nov. 8
• Serveral 2012 tour dates in Toronto, Ann Arbor and NYC

Joe Henry @ Largo (October 11, 2011; Los Angeles)

Well, I thought a little time and distance might reflect some objectivity on my part.  Alas, I suppose you should no more expect a "show review" here any more than you might expect an "album review."

However, I think an objective observer would agree that the Coronet Theatre - Largo's current home - is undoubtedly one of the finest listening rooms in North America (or the world?), much as the old Largo location was.  The staff is courteous and professional, while reminding everyone that chatter and photography are not welcome.  At around 150 seats, the Coronet still qualifies as ridiculously intimate, and what better venue could possibly host the live premiere of Reverie in its entirety?

The rough edges of the new record shone through in the live performance, though with world class musicians like Jay Bellerose, David Piltch and Keefus Ciancia in tow, one could hardly expect anything less than stellar.  Having never seen Joe Henry live before (no, seriously), I was perhaps a bit surprised how animated and energetic he was as singer and guitarist.  But otherwise, the evening was predictably beautiful and revelatory, and - for an event that can now be marked off my personal bucket list - absolutely exceeded all of my expectations.

The trip was all the more memorable since I got the chance to meet and hang out a bit with fellow blogger Josh Hurst of The Hurst Review.  We got to chat with both Joe himself and Jay Bellerose, who seems to me a quiet and thoughtful guy, not necessarily traits you would expect in such a monster drummer.  Of course, Jay is in such a class of his own as a musician, one should probably expect the unexpected.  I'm also pretty sure he owns the world's biggest tambourine.

I hope it goes without saying that if Joe Henry makes it to your town, jump at the chance to see him.

Joe Henry at Great American Music Hall (Nov. 1, SF)

JH will be appearing at San Francisco's Great American Music Hall on Tuesday, November 1. Tickets will go on sale later this morning.

'Reverie' album release show @ Largo, October 11

Joe Henry will welcome the release of his new album Reverie in high style by performing the album in its entirety at Largo's Coronet Theater in West Hollywood.  The show will take place on the release date of October 11, and tickets are on sale now via Largo's website.

Here are a few words from JH about the show:

My new album, "Reverie," will release on October 11, and as such, I have been invited to perform that very evening at the historic Largo/Coronet Theatre in West Hollywood; and I have accepted. It is my plan to perform the new album in its entirety --all 14 songs, none of which have I ever sung from a stage-- and with the core musicians with whom it was brewed, bottled, and corked.

I have no ambition to recreate the album in performance, but rather will scheme to use it as a point of departure. I learned a lot about the songs from committing them to 'tape,' and hope that they will speak for themselves and at least as expansively in the blazing light of darkness that is the Coronet Theatre. I am, after all, at their service; and tremendously excited to see what will happen when my brothers and I put match to their cracked and dry tender.

I hope you will join us. Semi-formal attire is requested of all attending but will not be furiously enforced. We are, suffice to say, trusting each other, aren't we?

And, yes, I'll be there.

Pre-order Over The Rhine's 'The Long Surrender' - download immediately!

Over The Rhine recently sent fans who pre-ordered The Long Surrender back in April a download link for the new album.  Now everybody can pre-order the new record and receive immediate access to the album digitally.

The Long Surrender was produced by Joe Henry at his Garfield House studio and features a number of Joe's regular players (Greg Leisz, Jay Bellerose, David Piltch).  Obviously, it has my highest recommendation.  The physical album should start shipping in December.

Don't forget also that JH will be joining OtR for two very special hometown shows in Cincinnati on December 17 & 18.  On the 17th, the band will play the entire album at a smaller venue, followed on the 18th by a full-blown show at the Taft Theater.  On Sunday, December 19, the band will play an intimate acoustic show.  You can purchase tickets for all three shows for $200 here.

JH at Calgary Folk Festival

Joe will be appearing at the Calgary Folk Festival, which runs from July 22 to July 25.  The official schedule has JH performing at 4:30pm alongside The Swell Season and Robin Holcomb.  However, High Road Touring lists him for July 25 at 10:30am.

Probably trust the official schedule - I'll try to verify.

(Thanks to regular reader Stephane for the tip!)

UPDATE:  It appears that your best bet is Friday, July 23, on the Main Stage at 6:55pm.

JH headed to Spain & London

Those lucky Spaniards are getting another visit from Joe Henry.  While across the pond, Joe will stop through London for Richard Thompson's Meltdown.

• June 4 - Barcelona
• June 5 - Las Palmas (Festival Arrecifes)
• June 8 - Madrid (Teatro Lara)
• June 9 - Alicante (Palacio de Congressos)
• June 10 - Elche (L'escortxador)
• June 12 - London, UK (Purcell Room)