Release / Show Me to the Stage [Import]

Henry Gross | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 25, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Chiswick
• ASIN: B000001BFO
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #361,632 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #91 in Music > Indie Music > Pop > Soft Rock

Track Listings

1. Juke Box Song

2. Lincoln Road

3. Overton Square

4. Springtime Mama

5. Moonshine Alley

6. Shannon

7. One Last Time

8. Some Thing in Between

9. Someday

10. Pokey

11. Show Me to the Stage

12. String of Hearts

13. Painting My Love Songs

14. Come Along

15. Help!

16. What a Sound

17. I Can't Believe

18. Hideaway

19. Showboat

20. If We Tie Our Ships Together

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars His Biggest -- followed by his best, June 16, 2011

By 

E. Nolan - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Release / Show Me to the Stage (Audio CD)

"Shannon", of course is the song Henry Gross is remembered for today, a sweet but sad song inspired by the death of Beach Boy guitarist Carl Wilson's Irish Setter "Shannon". (As Gross also had an Irish Setter called "Shannon", who can be heard barking on his "Plug Me Into Something" album, the story hit home for him). "Shannon" and the bouncy Beach Boy-ish "Springtime Mama" are the highlights of the "Release" album which makes up tracks 1-10 on this double reissue. Release is something of a transitional album for Gross, moving from the harder rocking sound of his classic "Plug Me Into Something" album towards the more laid-back and harmonized sound of "Show Me To The Stage". As such, it's not as strong as either its predecessor or its successor, but is still a very listenable effort.

"Show Me To The Stage" (tracks 11-20 on this reissue) is an album which puts me very much in the mind of the Beach Boy's "Sunflower". There are some rockers like "String of Hearts" and "Come Along", but on the whole the sound is more dreamy and harmony drenched. Even a cover of The Beatles "Help" (used on the "All This & World War Two" soundtrack) gets ballad treatment. The strongest part of a strong album is the last four tracks starting with "What A Sound" and ending with the georgous and melancholy "If We Tie Our Ships Together". I don't understand why this album wasn't a huge hit and instead seems to have gone straight into the $0.99 cut-out bins, but then the music industry rarely makes sense.

4.0 out of 5 stars An acquired taste, perhaps?, August 28, 2007

By 

Marty Jones (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Release / Show Me to the Stage (Audio CD)

I have been a fan of Henry's since "Plug me into something" came out. These two albums hit the sweet spot of his career and show some of the singing/songwriting talent that he has. The production by Cashman and West (remember their hit New York City Suite?) is a lot crunchier than you would expect from folk/pop guys.

To get the full flavor, you also need to get Henry Gross/Plug me into someting and Love is the stuff (only on LP at his web site). THEN, you really have something.

Good guitars, layered harmonies and great production - much better than the single hit would indicate.

If you get the best of CD you get a good overall flavor - this album gives you a better taste.

3.0 out of 5 stars A Dog of a Song, December 20, 2005

By 

Tony James "A J" (Canadarocks) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Release / Show Me to the Stage (Audio CD)

Henry Gross started out as a lead guitarist for the retro rock band "Sha Na Na". Considered a one hit wonder for his song about a dog named "Shannon" this collection isn't bad. Its just a matter of getting to know and like the songs. One hit wonder isn't a bad label either, its better than never having had a hit at all.