essential recording
Seven years after his first album, singer and songwriter Joe Henry finally hit his stride. His second album for Mammoth, released in 1993, appeared at an auspicious time for alternative country’s “no depression” resurgence. The Bottle Rockets released their debut, Uncle Tupelo offered their swan song Anodyne, Blue Mountain formed, and growing interest in the Jayhawks’ masterpiece Hollywood Town Hall helped build the genre’s audience. Kindness of the World cle [Read More...]
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For me, this and Short Man’s Room are his best - the lyrics and musicianship on each are stunning, and each time I listen to one of the two, I decide it’s his best, until I listen to the other one again. But any of his later recordings - up to and including this year’s Tiny Voices - are also stunning - more challenging musically and lyrically, but with sonic landscapes that are in a class of their own. And Joe’s website - now http://www.joehenrylovesyoumadly.com - is articulate, moving, and well worth a visit. Thanks Joe. Any chance of a tour to New Zealand one day?
Joe Henry starts out “Kindness of the World” with the words “One day when the weather is warm I’ll wake up on a hill” and sets the tone of the whole album. There are some upbeat tunes on the album, and fantastic guitarwork and backing vocals by the Jayhawk’s Gary Louris, but for the most part, Joe Henry lays out some decent mellow Minnesota-style alt country with great lyrics and swell music.
If you’re into the whole Uncle Tupelo, Jayhawks, Gear Daddies alt-country type sounds, this is a good album for you. It goes well with the first Wilco and Son Volt CDs.
A true diamond in the rough made during a time when indy labels were on the ascent. Every song is produced with a deft touch. The musicianship is superb. This album is one of the best, if not the best, alternative country albums ever made.
Joe Henry has moved on to more adventurous terrane since this album, but this one might have been able to garner a mainstream audience had it been on a major label and promoted properly. The eerie back up vocals of Victoria Williams fit Joe like a glove. The lyrics are smart and enigmatic. The hooks linger in your head for a long, long time. Put this one on your shelf under the label, “Obscure classics.”