In our perfect world....

Music has dynamics.
Songs have meaning,
and that meaning is shared.
Art is valued and
innovation is the norm.
Genre boundaries are meaningless.
Music is art,
and I am an artist.

Stand back,
listen,
and make the most of the short time we have together.

Taking a break, walking a way....

I'm stepping away from the keyboard, the band and life in the electronic universe for a while. I'll be back after January 5th with more blues and stories, and more regular posting. For now I need to get out and play in the snow.

It's been an interesting and challenging year, with some real highs and lows. To my good friends that were there to get me through the low spots, and shared in the high spots all I can say is thanks- I wouldn't be here with out all your help. Daily, I remember that I'm forever in the debt of the Seven Sisters of Mercy in Rayong, and the arms of the Universe (whatever your concept of God is) that caught me when I fell and was second-chance-reborn with the dawn of 2010.

And so, with the close of the year, it's finally time to go away and think (or re-think) the music. Somehow it's become hard work, like walking the same ground over and over again. Different, urgent, personal, new, challenging are words I need to apply honestly to this again. How to get there? Moving. Different. How to get there?

I suppose that the simple answer is that it is time for change of instrumentation. More pedal steel. More something and less something else. That's too simple, however. It needs to be more transformational than that. I need some unstructured time to write and think and be, and emerge from this metamorphosis with something worth taking on the next few miles of the journey, as short or as long as this may be.

See you in the new year with something worth sharing.

Namaste

On the fine art of selling downloads....

So, can you really get rich from selling music on the interwebs? Here's an analysis ofg how much you need to sell to hi the US minimum wage in a given month....

Click here to read

Changes in Son-Henry-Land

Well, my year-long adventure into the land of big band blues has come to an end. Given the pressures of the economy we've made the hard choice to drop back to a smaller more compact format. It's always hard to say goodbye to good players like Chris and Dave, but (and you may have heard me say this before) change is always good.

I had a chance to road-test the new line-up on Friday at the Globe Inn here in Aberdeen. How'd it go? Well, we settled right in and had the room jumping from the start. It's all that old-school stuff that I love that works so well in a guitar-driven format; John Lee Hooker, Guitar Slim, Lightning Slim and my own tunes. All works. And you need to see it to experience it!

And really, my measure is just this. I like it, its the perfect line-up for where my head is at these days. And on Friday we played well past the closing bell for a large group of women that just didn't want to stop dancing. There's all the proof I need.

See you soon-

How to tour...

OK, someone finally said it. How to tour with a band. Everything you need to know in one place, it's simple, honest and should be read by everyone. Thor Harris, you nailed it.


Click Here to read it

New Press Kit available!

Hey all-

Promoter? Festival? Venue?

Drop me an email at info@sonhenry.com. IF you get me your address, I'll get you a press kit!

Son

Fall mini-tour....

Thanks to all of you that joined us for our quick trip down south! We had a great time, and we'll be back soon.

Although we missed the horns (and wish them well with their family crisis) this trip reinforced for me just how much I love to play the guitar. Especially when I get to play blues with a great rhythm section that can go with me when I abandon the set list early. Friday night we did away with the set list altogether and managed to cover a lot of ground- from old Texas shuffles, to some Gulf Coast Slim Harpo style, as well as a big chunk of original tunes and a bunch of steel guitar.

One of the changes that is coming from this trip came out of a conversation at a late night coffee session after that gig. We've been working up new tunes that are based on my pedal steel playing, rather than a straight lap steel (or lap steel/guitar combo) like we do now. It'll open some harmonic doors for us, give us some new challenges. All in all, a great choice.

So, looking ahead through the rest of the year, we have a few more gigs before we call an end to 2010, but we'll be filling the time writing and recording, booking 2011 and still arguing about where to get the best pizza on the road.

OK, I've got to unload the van. Cant put it off an longer.....

Off on the road again...

Taking the band down to play the fantastic High Barn in Essex this week. If you're n the area, stop in and say hello.

Click Here to learn more about High Barn!


And then, it's off to Nottingham for the first Anniversary of the Nottingham Blues Society.

Read more here...

So, see you there!

Booking information for 2011!

If you're reading this, tell your friends, tell your local blues society and blues clubs that they should be booking this band! Help a starving artist, point them this way!

There is a complete press kit on the band web site and you can get there by clicking here

and, as always, thanks for your support!

Son

Did you read that right?

Last solo gig ever?

Well, forever is a long time but yeah, for a bit. The solo material is getting moved into the normal set instead of taking a break.

In Newark, with Sean Webster....

Mooring's Residency coming to an end...

This coming Friday is it. The end of a month of mayhem and madness with all the denizens of the Moorings Bar, the best live music pub in Scotland....

So, we're going out in grand, blow-down-the-walls style. Special guests, things to give away, and an even longer show- Flash the owner says we can play as long as we want. Is he ever going to regret saying that! So don't miss it, it won't happen again this year, and there's not a snowball's chance in Mexico that you'll ever have this much fun on a Friday night.

Pictures to follow. You may end up in one too. That's a good thing....

Mooring's Residency coming to an end...

This coming Friday is it. The end of a month of mayhem and madness with all the denizens of the Moorings Bar, the best live music pub in Scotland....

So, we're going out in grand, blow-down-the-walls style. Special guests, things to give away, and an even longer show- Flash the owner says we can play as long as we want. Is he ever going to regret saying that! So don't miss it, it won't happen again this year, and there's not a snowball' chance in Mexico that you'll ever have this much fun on a Friday night.

Happy 50th Alan!

Happy 50th Alan! All the best, and fingers crossed that the effects of all the tequila were minor.....

Some photos from Newark...

Thanks Rob and Anne! They sent me these pictures, and they're right- this is one happy lap steel player.

Who says guitar players only pull tough-guy faces?

what can I say but thanks to all of you!

the new one on the bandstand

Well, we could use this to play country (and I do, BTW). It's an old triple neck Fender Stringmaster- 24 strings, 6 pickups, 4 legs and a very heavy case. Right now it's tuned to C6, A6 and E13, not sure if I'll stay with these or switch to some others.

It's a great guitar though, and opens a few harmonic doors for me and the band- in the E13 tuning I can play big fat chords like a horn section. Expect to see this and hear some new material where we push the steel boundaries in blues and in the band. It's time, and this big bit of lumber is the key!

You read it here first---

Not sure if it'll really be forever, but at last for a long time I'm taking a break from solo gigs.

We need to focus on getting this next band CD out, and really getting behind it with a serious tour or two in 2011. There's just no way to prepare for both the band tour

Every Friday in September- the Moorings!

It's true. Trio starts around 9, all September long.

The last time we were there it was an amazing party, with too many shots of tequila. We'll probably go for a repeat performance on all fronts. Heres what the party looked like last time...

Moorings Bar?

Hey, we're back at the Moorings Bar on Saturday the 17th....

I'm taking the trio in for a loud set, mostly of some new lap steel stuff. And yeah, we're running every Friday night there in September too.....

British Blues Awards 2010-

Once again, thanks to all of you that voted for me during the nomination process!

You can find out more here:

http://www.britishbluesawards.com

Please cast a vote!

Recording on Tuesday...

Demos are done, rehearsals are winding down and we're off to the studio starting Tuesday. Finally, we're back in the studio.

The plan is to record a mixed bag of stuff- some vintage T-Bone Walker, a Guitar Slim cover, and a bunch of originals that span a range of styles. All in all this is going to be a pretty varied record, and it'll be the first time we've done one that way- the others have each focused on a narrow range of styles, one per record. But that's not where we're at these days, this band can cover the bases so we're recording it all. I'm really excited about this one.

It may be a prolific year for us too. The CD that we started in 2009 in Anchorage is almost finished too, goes off to mix at the end of the month. Lots of reasons for that one being held up, mostly they come back to me not being happy with the lap-steel tones. That's all sorted. And its almost done.

But first things first. Lets focus on the new record and get the first couple of tunes under our belt this week. Pictures to follow as we go...

ok, so this band is probably-

no, it's definitely the best band I've had since I've been in the UK. By quite a stretch. Lately we've been prepping for more studio time so we can get a new CD out before the summer. It's a great process, I take them rough ideas on sticky notes and talk them through the ideas. They turn it into something different, better. Damn.

BB and Bobby.

Damn. I saw them together that year too. 1977. What a great pair. You gotta check this one out.

The International Cigar Box Orchestra

Some pictures taken in Dundee last year, these are of Nikolaj (the fantastic one-man band) and I playing some really raw stuff at Dexters. We'll be adding bass and drums this year and performing on mostly home-made instruments. Just think- musicians from three continents making great music on crap gear that really is crap gear- mine are all made from junk I found cleaning out a friends garage this weekend. Oil cans, broken bits of debris.

Roll on, Dundee! Can't wait!

Grouchy old man emails?

Funny, I've heard from more people telling me what a grouchy old man I am.


First, I'm not old. Second, I'm not grouchy.

Look, you can take the post below in one of two ways- here's a guy who cares about the music, cares that the history of the blues continues to be important, and the contributes to the education of a younger generation of layers -OR- a grouchy old man. Take your pick.

N'uff said. But that post stays so I can refer back to it from time to time.

take it somewhere...

Well, I had a talk with a young player over the weekend. And I heard it again. "I'm not a old-style player, I want to see the blues evolve, I want to take it somewhere- take what I've learned from the old masters and help the blues evolve."

And so I asked- who are your influences?

Well, SRV, Clapton, the White Stripes, Zepplin""

No BB King, no Buddy Guy, no Blind Willie Johnson, no Guitar Slim. Only post-modern rock players. No Earl King, or Charlie Patton, or Pee Wee Cayton or T-Bone Walker, Lowell Fulson, Albert King, Lightning Hopkins or Mance Lipscomb.

How best to put this and not sound like an old fart? This could lead one to dispair. You can't take music somewhere if you don't really understand where it's been. If you don't understand the basics of the language, haven't studied it. So please don't kid me that you're doing the music a service. All you're doing is skipping doing your homework and trying to excuse it. And you're not fooling anyone.

Hit the books. Study the records. Learn the language first, convince me that you know the basics. Then we'll talk about taking the music somewhere.

The color of money....

Benefit Pictures

You know it's a good gig when.....

This happens. Thanks Sue and Kirsteen!

and more T-bone...

More great, rare footage. I could watch this all day...

and more T-bone...

More great, rare footage. I could watch this all day...

T-Bone

Don't give up too early, there's a nasty horn solo you need to skip through, but there's a couple of nice tunes that follow.

Gang- Here's the schedule for the multi-band extravaganza, our benefit for the earthquake victims in Haiti. Lots of great bands and a great day out, including an electric stage and an acoustic stage. I'll be pacing myself, so I can fit in a gig on each stage and a gig at the Moorings Bar that night as well.

The schedule for the Cellar 35 acoustic gig is a little loose for now, but we'll get it tightened up in the next couple of days. It'll be great for anyone that loves acoustic blues and/or want's a quieter night out. I'll be there for sure with an acoustic lap steel.

Here's the official schedule-

---------------------------------

The Schedule for The Blue Lamp


12.00 – 12.30 Doors open
12.30 – 13.15 Juke Joint Rollers
13.30 – 14.15 Claude's Funky Taxi
14.30 – 15.30 Red Dawg
15.45 – 16.45 Hollowbody
17.00 – 17.45 Mr. Spider -------- Food
18.00 – 18.45 Wolftrain -------- Food
18.45 – 19.15 Raffle and Auction
19.15 – 20.00 Son Henry
20.15 – 21.00 The Fatbelly Blues Band
21.15 – 22.00 PapaMojo
22.15 – 23.00 Tupelo Town Assembly
23.15 – 24.00 Jerry Jablonski
24.00 Jam

Schedule for The Acoustic Stage at Cellar 35

The Schedule for the Acoustic Stage will have to remain loose
as some acts have still to confirm.

updated web site

Hey, it was time....

New photos. New posters. Even the schedule is up to date. Finally!

And don't forget to come say hi on Facebook-

Fall Tour, need a band?

Looking ahead, we're hitting the road this fall. We have two dates still to fill, Saturday October 23 and Sunday October 24. Anyone have space for a great band? Anywhere in the UK is great.

Thanks!

Cellar 35, March 20

Hey Gang,

I talked to the band, and I know it's short notice but we're splitting the gig this coming Saturday. I'll play a solo lap steel set starting at 9, and the band will kick off around 10. Best of everything- some mellow blues to get started and get a few drinks in with friends, and then we clear the tables for dancing!

It'll be the full band with the horns! If you haven't heard this line up, well, it's jump and swing blues at it's best! These guys can really play...

Some more youtube finds

Yeah, I know, I love youtube....

Cellar 35, March 20th

As part of the blues nights at Cellar 35, I'll be covering the Saturday, March 20th slot. I had such a great time playing those solo gigs this past weekend that I've got the fire to do more. So I'll have the lap acoustic out, and the national and a couple of other guitars. Cellar 35 is the perfect place for an acoustic performance- it's small and cozy, the acoustics are pretty good and it's the only place in Aberdeen with that underground blues club vibe.

So, please tell your friends, drag them along. Blues on Saturdays at Cellar 35. performance starts at 9.

Alaska, 2010

Hey gang, looks like I'm heading back home for a couple of weeks! Alaska in summertime, great fishing, and some good gigs to play with my old band. Life doesn't get better...

still selling gear

Yeah, raising money to fund a few things, so there's a bunch of gear that's going. Check out my other blog for the details, more gear postings next weekend. Catch it before it goes on Ebay..

Cellar 35

Hey all-

Great gig at Cellar 35 last night! Me and Dick Wardell playing solo, Papa Mojo wrapping up the night. It was the second solo outing in two days for me, nothing like getting right back to work after a long break. Last night was mostly lap slide and fingerpicking. Gave the national a break.

So, long story short, I'll be back there on the 20th as part of the rotating blues nights we're running on Saturdays. I'll probably be there solo again, unless I can talk the trio into a gig. Either way, it'll be fun, and a great place for a night out.

Please spread the word about these blues nights! Aberdeen really needs a regular blues night, and with your support we can make this one stick!

Haiti Benefit, April 10

Well, the Aberdeen musical community is coming together for a night of music spread over two venues on April 10th. Lots of the details still forthcoming, but here's what I know. There's going to be a bunch of electric blues bands at the Blue Lamp, along with great beer and food, and a couple of acoustic players (me included) at Cellar 35.

From what I hear, you can see Gerry Jablonski, Red Dawg, Tupelo Town Assembly, Mr Spider, Dick Wardell, Papa Mojo and probably a few others. One price gets you into both venues.

It'll be a great time, and it's al for a good cause. I'll post more details when I get them.

(oh, and I'm sneaking off later that night to play a wild gig at the Moorings Bar, shhhhh......)

Grouchy old man alert

don't make me open this.....

Rance Allen

Years ago, my friend Big Mitch turned me on to Rance Allen, and to this day he's my favorite vocalist of all times. Check this out, what a great performance, no studio overdubs just a gifted singer and a song he believes.

Ok, this should be obvious....

I ran into a really unpleasant person yesterday at a gig in Dundee who seems to think the world is divided into 'lead' guitar players, and 'rhythm' guitar players. I'm generally nice to everyone, but the unreal level of ignorance he wanted to inflict on my band was so extreme that I was appalled. Horrified. And I fired back. And that, ladies and gents, never happens. Until Yesterday.

Here's the deal. If you're a musician in a band and you play the guitar, you can't get away with being one or the other, you've got to be both. And where most people get lost is that they forget that our most important job is supporting the groove of the tunes. That means you need to play rhythm. And as everyone in my band knows, we're all in the rhythm section. It's the engine room, what gets people dancing. It's what you get paid for. Being able to blow a solo over changes isn't music if that's all you can do. It's self-indulgence, period, the end.

So, while he may break the guitar world into two camps, lead and rhythm, I break the world down differently- into musicians and instrument owners. Just because you own an instrument doesn't mean you're a musician. Anyone can learn to play the guitar fast, that's just muscle memory. But to be able to engage in a meaningful musical conversation on stage with other musicians and hold an audience's attention? That takes a musician.

Gimme musicians to play with any day of the week.

You, sir, are uninformed, misguided and offensive to those of us that work hard at our craft.

Apples and Trees

There's an old saying around here that apples don't fall far from the tree. And it must be true, here's my oldest surviving the worst blizzard in 90 years in Washington DC by hiding out in a recording studio.

Yeah, I know. No blues content. But a proud old man gets to crow a little every so often....

Magic Sam on a borrowed guitar

Not sure what the story was, but that is Earl Hooker's guitar for sure...

And Earl Hooker.....

My favorite youtube video

BB King and T-Bone Walker at the Hollywood Bowl, 1967. Can you imagine? Listen to the lines BB plays while T-Bone is getting set up. That was when he was really playing at the top of his game (it's my favorite vintage of BB). And T-Bone? Damn.

Home and Recovering

Some of you may have heard the news that I was taken ill while on holiday with the family.

Sample vids from the new DVD with T Rogers

Here's a couple of the tunes from the new T Rogers/Son Henry DVD that should be out pretty soon. They're from the Gastroblues festival in Paks this past summer. It was a great performance and although I can still hear the last touches of a sore throat in my singing it's still fun to watch- it's obvious we were having a great time (which we were).


Here's Can't be Satisfied...




And Richer than a Sheik...




And "Let me lay my head down"...



Hope you enjoy them!