All The Eye Can See
ear, 2023
9/10
The 3 time Grammy Winner Joe Henry brings us his most personal record to date, which was recorded in his own home, where he took on the producer role and welcomes his son Levon Henry on saxophone and clarinet, guitarists Bill Frisell and Marc Ribot, bassist David Piltch, pianist Patrick Warren, Daniel Lanois on organ, and singer Madison Cunningham.
“Prelude To Song” opens the listen with an atmospheric instrumental that’s calm, mysterious and warm, and “Song That I Know” follows with much focus on piano, as Henry’s eloquent imagery unfolds with a sophisticated and inimitable version of Americana.
Further on, “Near To The Ground” showcases Henry’s husky voice amid pretty guitar and much attention to mood, while “God Laughs” emits meticulous picking and poetic singing in the bare but impactful song craft.
Deeper into the listen, “Pass Through Me Now” offers an intimate duet that’s filled with agile guitar and touching lyricism, and the album highlight, “Red Letter Day”, from the Downtown Owl soundtrack, exits the listen with a distinct dreaminess that’s rugged yet tuneful.
An extremely stirring body of work that’s lyrically moving and musically delicate, Henry has always found a sound entirely his own, where blues, rock, jazz, country and folk are all important pieces to the very literate and thoughtful, artistic qualities that have surrounded his lengthy career.
Travels well with: Giant Giant Sand- Tucson; Grant-Lee Phillips- All That You Can Dream