God Is In The Details

Wild Edges anticipation builds

Duke University's Independent Daily has a little more backstory on this week's Wild Edges performance at the Hayti Center in Durham, as well as some information on what may happen with the live recordings.

Also, check out Karin and Linford's photo feed for some behind-the-scenes pictures of this week's rehearsals.

Autumn Joe Henry update

Well, we've had several nights in the 50's here in Houston, which must mean the rest of you in the Northern Hemisphere are enjoying between seasonal and frigid conditions.  As such, I apologize for the lack of posts recently and hope this will catch you up on a few recent JH happenings.

• Furious Cool: Richard Pryor and the World That Made Him, by David Henry and Joe Henry, has just been released by Algonquin Books.  The hardcover recently shipped and the e-book should be out any day now.  Brothers David and Joe will be doing a few signings around the country, if you can catch them.  This is at the top of my reading list - can't wait!
• JH will be delivering a few more acoustic performances in December, following his rousing sucess at Largo this past July.  Dates are as follows:  Dec 3, Minneapolis; Dec 4, Chicago; Dec 5, Ann Arbor; Dec 7, Seattle.  Not to be missed if you are nearby.
• UK duo Chas & Dave have just released their new record That's What Happens, produced by JH at Abbey Road Studios.  It is available at Amazon UK (still awaiting delivery of my copy).
• Divided & United: The Songs of the Civil Warwas released yesterday by ATO Records.  This unique project celebrates a unique period in American and American music history.  JH contributes several productions by artists like Taj Mahal, Chris Hillman, John Doe and T-Bone Burnett.  He is also backed on a track of his own by The Milk Carton Kids (you can hear the whole record over at Garden & Gun).
• Speaking of whom, I had the great pleasure of seeing The Milk Carton Kids at their sold out Houston show last night.  They'll be heading back to LA and hosting a revue at Largo next Tuesday, Nov 12.  Who knows who might turn up?  They'll also be back at Largo on Saturday, Nov 16.
• Close JH friend Sam Phillips will also be at Largo this weekend for her only solo shows of the year (Nov 9 is sold out, Nov 10 is on sale).  She will be backed by JH cohorts Jay Bellerose, Jennifer Condos and Greg Leisz.
• Over The Rhine will wind up their fall tour on the West Coast in the coming weeks.  They will continue to be backed by Jay Bellerose, Jennifer Condos and Eric Heywood, who contributed their talents to their double CD Meet Me At The Edge Of The World.  Dates here - I can't imagine who might turn up at The El Rey!
• You might recall that New West Records auctioned a number of 7-inch singles to benefit Replacements guitarist Slim Dunlap earlier in the year.  On Nov 12, they will release a compliation of the tracks, which feature a number of production contributions from JH as well as his excellent take of "Taken On The Chin."  The 2 CD set will feature tracks not previously available.
• Glen Hansard will release an EP on Nov 25, featuring his epic cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Drive All Night".  The track features vocals from JH and Eddie Vedder, plus sax by Jake Clemons (nephew of Clarence Clemons).  The track was recorded at Garfield House and produced by JH.  You can hear the song over at Rolling Stone.

That's about all I know for now.  I know of at least one artist who has recently graced the basement of Garfiled House, and I would expect to hear about that project in the coming months.  And, of course, all indications are that we'll be hearing about a new JH album any day now.  Fingers crossed!

Joe Henry to be included on (really cool) Civil War compilation (updated)

This fall will see the release of a very intriguing 2-disc compilation of Civil War-era tunes, recorded by some fantastic artists.  Joe Henry will contribute "Aura Lee" -- and maybe some production work on the other tracks?

Read more about Divided & United and hear Loretta Lynn's contribution here.

UPDATE:  A bit more info (from The Man himself):

• "Aura Lee" features 3-part harmony courtesy of The Milk Carton Kids
• JH also lends production duties to tracks by Taj Mahal, John Doe, Carolina Chocolate Drops and Chris Hillman (plus assistance on the Sam Amidon track)
• And in a neat twist, JH also produced the track from T Bone Burnett, who was Joe's production mentor

Latest 'Songs For Slim' release features Joe Henry & Jakob Dylan

You may recall that Joe Henry has played a significant role in a string of vinyl and digital releases benefitting ex-Replacements guitarist Slim Dunlap.  JH and much of his regular wrecking crew have already contributed to tracks by Steve Earle and Lucinda Williams.

The latest Songs For Slim release features not only two JH productions but a track by Joe himself.  Here's the description from the SFS website:

This month we’re excited to announce a single with fantastic tracks from Jakob Dylan of The Wallflowers and Joe Henry. Dylan and his crack band of A-list LA session players (Jennifer Condos, Jay Bellerose, Greg Leisz, Keefus Ciancia and Val McCallum) offer up a rollicking, bluesy interpretation of “Ain’t No Fair (In A Rock ‘N’ Roll Affair),” a classic Slim rocker and crowd favorite. Recorded in North Hollywood and produced by Joe Henry, “Ain’t No Fair” also features a guest appearance by John Doe (X, The Knitters) on backing vocals. Speaking ofJoe Henry, his work over the last three decades has made him a favorite of discriminating music fans worldwide, distinguishing himself both as an ever-evolving solo artist and an in-demand producer. He’s also been a key part of the Songs For Slim project; his contributions as producer for several of the SFS releases have been invaluable. This month he takes center stage for an impassioned reading of “Taken On The Chin,” Slim’s mournful journey to the dark side of life. Henry delivers a stunning vocal performance as he and a slightly different batch of fab session-eers (David Piltch, Jay Bellerose, Val McCallum, Greg Leisz, Patrick Warren and his son Levon) masterfully create a piece that hits the listener straight in the gut with an emotional wallop that won’t soon be forgotten. It’s brilliant on every level.

The auction for this latest vinyl release is now closed, but all of the mentioned tracks are available digitally on iTunes (link, link, link).  Next month will feature a John Doe track, which I strongly suspect will feature JH behind the boards once again.