Reverie

Joe Henry | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 11, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Anti
• ASIN: B005GM8XP6
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,805 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Reverie came to fruition when Joe Henry and his fellow musicians convened in Henry s basement studio for three days of exploration. The result is an all acoustic album more full of life from the birds chirping through the open windows to the ticking and shifting of the musicians than any Henry has recorded. And that s saying a lot: for more than two decades Grammy winner Henry has produced some of the most celebrated names in music, from Ornette Coleman and Elvis Costello to Ani DiFranco and Madonna. Working with his regular stable of musicians and guests including master guitarist Marc Ribot (Tom Waits, Elvis Costello), singer Jean McClain and organist Patrick Warren, along with a special appearance from recently produced Lisa Hannigan, Henry has produced another masterful set of songs.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars He's done it again, October 13, 2011

By 

iatethelotusby - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reverie (Audio CD)

Joe Henry deserves more fans.

The 3-time Grammy winning producer/singer-songwriter/all-around-genius keeps making stunning albums. I truly do not know how he does it. Every time a new album of his comes out there's at least one song that makes me say "This is the most beautiful song I've ever heard" (Want Too Much, Flesh and Blood, Wave). But no, then he goes and releases another album and there's a whole other selection of most beautiful songs to choose from.

I hate to say things like this, but I think this is his best since "Tiny Voices," an album which people seemed to love or hate (why? loved it).

That said, I loved Civilians and enjoyed Blood From Stars, but those 2 are in a different league. Reverie is intimate, and emotional. I don't smoke anymore but this album makes me want a cigarette, and a road trip, and to call up people I haven't seen in years.

Reverie is all acoustic, but reviewers keep calling it his "rock" album. I don't agree. Like all Joe Henry albums, you can't pick one genre, the best you can do is say he combines folk/jazz/rock/pop and blues into some kind of beautiful Americana. I think this is why people keep comparing him to Tom Waits (me included), because how do you define that type of music?

Joe is also a poet. Let's take the song "Eyes Out For You" (my current vote for most beautiful song). The rhyme scheme on this song is perfect, and yes I spent a good part of my day yesterday studying it. And it's not just the rhyme, but the lyrics, brilliant as usual, and then the actual music. Other stunners on the album include: Heaven's Escape, Strung, Sticks & Stones (probably the most blues track), Grand Street, Deathbed Version, Tomorrow is October, Unspeakable -- ok you see where I'm going here, I'm almost listing the entire album. I can't get enough of his voice on this album, he seems to be using it as more of an instrument; he is full on singing more and he sounds great. Something about Tomorrow is October even reminds me of Sinatra, though who knows why (anyone?)

As you will read in all the reviews of this album, Joe recorded this in his home studio again, and this time literally left the windows open. Therefore you hear background noises -- and it's delightful. There are several dogs in the background, and someone calling what I assume is their dog. At one point it sounds like a dog is howling/singing along with the band, so please don't tell me otherwise, because I've convinced myself it is. And I love it. It makes the album a more intimate experience, like back when Tori Amos used to leave the breaths on all her albums instead of editing them out. It makes everything more real -- half the time I can't tell if it's a background noise on the album or something outside my own porch door. Am I in the song? I believe I am.

I don't even know what else to say -- how do I convince you? Joe Henry is one of the greatest lyricists of our time and he is unknown by most of the world. It is devastating. But those who are familiar with him, those who know -- they know. And we remain an exclusive club of fans.

Thank you Joe.

"oh well farewell to arms

and to all we might be

farewell to this endless confused reverie

somewhere there's a heaven

for you and for me

but oh won't you please tell me now

just how, my love, will we escape"

- Heaven's Escape

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reverie is masterful!, October 15, 2011

By 

BookNerd (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reverie (MP3 Download)

I've been listening and absorbing Reverie for a few weeks now. It's an altogether outstanding piece of work. It's as good, and, in some ways, better than the utterly fantastic works he's done in the last 10 years. If you're looking for songs to love on the first listen, may I suggest Odetta, Sticks & Stones, Tomorrow is October, and Eyes Out For You. But there are other songs that take a bit longer to unfold. And, oh my, they are well worth the effort.

Some of the songs on Reverie feel loose and rambling....even though what they are made of -melodies, exquisite musical flourishes, astute lyrics--feels very carefully measured out. As always with Joe Henry, there's a range and blend of styles.

What it all adds up to is masterful music. Reverie is layered, intimate, raucous, truthful and lovely. I'm grateful for these songs. There may not yet be legions of Joe Henry fans out there in the world, but for those of us who are in the know, each new Joe Henry lp is a milestone and a true cause for celebration.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stylish cover, gritty music, Dylanesque songs, November 14, 2011

By 

E. J. Bucher - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Reverie (Audio CD)

This will probably become my favourite Joe Henry-album! Especially his songwriting gets better and better, and the musical production is flawless! A real treat for every americana afficionado.