Henry Gray - About the CD Blues - Won't Let Me Take My Rest

Henry Gray & The Cats
“ Live” in Paris
Lucky Cat / Zycopolis Productions LC DVD 1001
Lucky Cat CD 1004

The first recordings made by the great Louisiana blues pianist Henry Gray were released on 78 rpm singles just about 50 years ago. Since heard on 45s, LPs, 8-track tapes, cassettes and CDs, now Mr. Gray’s masterful piano, forceful vocals and irrepressible personality may be witnessed on his first DVD release, recorded in performance at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Club in Paris on March 27, 2003.

On camera Mr. Gray’s keyboard and vocals are front and center from start to finish, focusing full attention on the robust 79-year-old bandleader as he powers his way through a set of blues favorites associated with his peers and throws in some novelties along the way.

Everything Gray offers is stamped with his distinctive touch and delivered with consummate artistry, from the rolling piano introduction to “It Hurts Me Too” to his soulful reading of Jimmy Rogers’ “Out on the Road” to a stirring version of his own classic “Showers of Rain.” Other blues standards include a rousing “Sweet Home Chicago,” “Rock Me,” “Key to the Highway,” and Jimmy Reed’s rarely heard “Boogie in the Dark.”

The pianist shows off his range and infectious sense of humor on rocking R&B numbers like “Tutti Frutti,” Buster Brown’s “Fannie Mae,” “Lawdy Miss Clawdy” and the Lloyd Price version of “Stagger Lee.” He does “The Twist,” salutes Ray Charles with “What’d I Say,” and closes the show with a blues-drenched reading of “Shake a Hand.”

Backed by The Cats, his attentive Baton Rouge ensemble (producer Andy Cornett on bass, Earl Christopher at the drums, and harmonica man Brian “B.B.” Bruce), Gray features fellow Louisiana legend Paul “Li’l Buck” Sinegal on guitar to great effect throughout. The show is nicely shot and tightly edited by the French crew from Zycopolis Productions, and the CD replicates the DVD soundtrack for repeated listening.

— John Sinclair
Detroit
June 30, 2004

Henry Gray and the Cats featuring Little Paul "Buck" Sinegal
Watch Yourself
(Lucky Cat LC1002)
Jeff Calvin, Blues Revue, Nov. 2001

This is one of those records you can bathe in. Henry Gray, of course, is the Louisiana-born, Chicago-bred pianist who backed legends like Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Elmore James, and Jimmy Reed in the Windy City's heyday. The late '60s found him southbound again, working with Slim Harpo and Lightning Slim. In short, he has the king of resume any bluesman would envy. Gray has now put together a solid band with the Cats, with harmonica ace Brian Bruce and fine guitarist Paul Sinegal sharing solo duties, but Gray's rambling piano work and his blue honk of a singing voice are the selling points of Watch Yourself. The groove, courtesy of drummer Earl Christopher and bassist Andy Cornett, is deep. The band has an uncanny Chicago feel, loose-limbed but tight as a knot.

It's not all Chicago-style, though. Sure, there's a rollicking "Dust My Broom," and Gray's "Watch Yourself" and "Talkin' 'bout You" are solid, punchy blues classics. But "Shake a Hand" is a jaunty New Orleans stroll from the Little Richard songbook (written by Joseph Morris). Gray also takes a midtempo ride through Chuck Berry's classic " Don't You Lie to Me" that's fired by Bruce's expressive harmonica fills, and shuffles through West Side guitar star Morris Pejoe's "Hurt My Feelin's."

Nothing here breaks new ground; it's one to put on when the true-blues mood strikes you. This album could have been released in any of the past five decades, as a testament to the timelessness of both the music and the man. There are 10 fine Gray originals, best of which - the slow burners "Cold Chills" and "Feel Like a Stranger," the rocking, piano-and-slide instrumental "Scratch the Cat," and the cheerfully threatening title tune - are time capsules, reminders of what blues was before its "benefactors" started turning it into a cartoon. The depth of feeling on Watch Yourself is remarkable. -

Jeff Calvin, Blues Revue, Nov. 2001

Henry Gray and the Cats featuring Little Paul "Buck" Sinegal
Watch Yourself
(Lucky Cat LC1002)

Gordon Baxter g.baxter@psych.york.ac.uk

Henry Gray seems to be making up for lost time in his recording career."Watch Yourself" is his third CD in two years, following hot on the heels of the acclaimed "Plays Chicago Blues" and its well received predecessor"Blues Won't Let Me Take My Rest." This latest CD sees the man who has played with most of the blues greats keep things ticking over.

The album was recorded live in the studio over two days, and the band drops right into the groove on the opening title track. It is a classic example of the Chicago sound from a bygone era, and all the better for it. Gray is omnipresent without ever being overpowering, and there are some fine solos from Napolean Martin (sax), top Louisianian guitarist Paul "Buck" Sinegal (ex Clifton Chenier, Rockin' Dopsie and Buckwheat Zydeco) and Brian Bruce (harp). Stir in a tight rhythm section, and Gray's laid back vocals and the table is set for a feast.

The band stays locked in Chicago mode for the most part, but venture south into Louisiana to great effect on tracks such as "Shake A Hand" and "Cold Chills." These songs show that there is a more subtle side to Gray's piano playing which is often overlooked. Perhaps the best showpiece for Gray, however, is the solo piece "How Could You Do It," where he just rolls along on his own, accompanied by rhythm clapping from the band, which turns into well deserved spontaneous applause at the end.

By the time the album gets round to the instrumental "Scratch the Cat" the band is obviously fully warmed up, and having a ball. On this track, all the frontmen get a chance at taking their turn in the spotlight, which they gleefully accept. The only downside is that the track fades out too soon.

The penultimate track, "Keepin' the Blues Alive," is a homage to Gray. It was written by bass player and manager Andy Cornett, who also features on spirited vocals. Martin and Bruce and Sinegal, all turn in fine performances once again on sax, harp and guitar respectively. The album then closes out on another high with "Showers Of Rain."

"Watch Yourself" is a thoroughly enjoyable album, which does not break any new ground, but is none the worse for it. What you do get, however, is good, honest, hard working blues, played with a smile, by a tight, entertaining band. We should all tip our hat to celebrate the fact that Henry Gray shows no signs of letting up. Pick up a copy via Gray's web site (www.henrygray.com).

Blues Won't Let Me Take My Rest

One of a handful of classic Chicago piano sidemen, Henry Gray actually hails from Louisiana, which is where this live disc was recorded one hot, sweaty night. Gray is easily on par with greats like Otis Spann, Pinetop Perkins and Sunnyland Slim. Here, he pounds, boogie-woogies, and barrelhouses his way through 15 songs on a 72-minute disc that never lets up. The pianist proves as comfortable with rootsy rock 'n' roll nuggets like "Twistin' the Night Away," "C.C. Rider" and "Stagger Lee" as with blues classics. As showcases for his astounding double-fisted talent, they provide a framework for Gray and his longtime band to shift~ effortlessly from swamp rode to upbeat Louisiana blues. Guest slide guitarist Sonny Landreth adds spice, as does the "blues fiddle" of Eric Aceto, pushing Gray into solos of amazing emotional power and artistic dexterity. You can practically hear him smiling as he sings joyfully on his own "They Raided the Joint." As the title of this set suggests, Henry Gray is a bluesman who, well into his fifth decade of performing, just won't rest. Here's hoping he stays out of the shadows for many more years.

Hal Horowitz BLUES Revue

Blues Won't Let Me Take My Rest

At the age of 75, legendary blues pianist Henry Gray still has it. From the opening notes of his first and only live recording, Blues Won't Let Me Take My Rest, the glorious sound of his piano shines brightly throughout the 15-song program. Gray's mixture of Chicago blues, New Orleans barrelhouse, impressive talent and depth of feeling gives him his own distinctive sound on the instrument. This is blues the way its forefathers meant it to be played.

It would be difficult to find a blues musician alive today with this level of experience, and Gray's playing shows it. Before ripping into his slow, hard-driving reading of "Worried Life Blues," Gray explains to the audience that his major influence and source of inspiration was the song's composer, Big Maceo Merriweather. The four Gray originals, including the house-rocking "Greyhound Blues" and the deeply emotive title track, are interspersed among Henry's skillful interpretations of blues evergreens like "C.C. Rider,"Stagger Lee," "Dust My Broom" and Jimmy Rogers' "Out on the Road Again." One of the record's highlights is a hard-rocking "twist" medley, blending Hank Ballard's "The Twist" with Sam Cooke's twistin' the Night Away" and letting the band swing out a little.

Backing up Gray are his regular Baton Rouge band and guest guitarists Sonny Landreth and Martin Simpson, whose interplay lends added fire to the music. With so much watered-down blues out there today, we're fortunate that real bluesmen like Henry Gray are still out there performing and setting musical standard. This record documents the work of a living legend.

Bill Taylor - BLUES ACCESS

For someone who's been to Czechoslovakia-and Switzerland, played with Howlin' Wolf and for Mick Jagger, it sure has taken a long time to get this guy live on record with his own band. He is, one helluva pianist and when backed by the Cats- not to mention slide fiend Sonny Landreth, can certainly convey that sawdust-on-the-floor atmosphere to those of us not fortunate enough to have made it to the show. The set is pure crowd pleaser. For a pleasant surprise, skip right to his bar-barrelhouse version of Chubby Checker's (or. more accurately Hank Ballard's) "The Twist". For real authenticity dig the extended patter on the intro to Big Maceo Merriweather's "Worried Life Blues.' Grab a couple of cold long-necks, and make a note to pay attention to Gray's tour schedule next time.

Robert Fontenot - offBEAT Magazine

Former Chess and Vee-Jay session pianist (and for years a member of Howlin' Wolfs band) Henry Gray has a new album out on the Lucky Cat imprint. The Blues Won't Let Me Take My Rest, recorded live in Lafayette, Louisiana, finds Gray and his band, The Cats, working mostly in a '50s Chicago blues format. At 74, Gray's key-board chops are still impressive, ... it's good to hear Gray, whose place in blues history is assured, still rockin' those 88s ...

Sweet Home

Louisiana pianoman Henry Gray has wowed audiences from the Rolling Stones to us more common blues lovers. With tactile fingers dancing across the ivories for over six decades, Gray has played with and performed alongside a host of blues greats. He played in the Wolfs band for twelve years and had long associations with Big Maceo, Marva Wright, and many other blues greats. He's recorded on the Chess and Excello labels, and toured the US and Europe.

Gray's pounding left hand rhythms and scoring right runs are characteristically Henry's. The backing of the Cats, his stage band of past, makes a lot of difference on this live recording. They are Brian Bruce on harmonica, Andy Cornett on the bass, and Earl Christopher on the drum kit. Additionally, slide guitarists Sonny Landreth and Martin Simpson join in the fray. To add a little southern style, Eric Aceto is here playing his blues-based fiddle.

There's nothing short of seventeen tunes on this biscuit. The seventy-two plus minutes of material represent a veritable cross-section of Gray's barrelhouse, boogie, and blues stylings. His fluent fingerwork works out pounding rhythms, tender leads, or vaulting harmonies. Henry's piano dips and dives, in and out, to tenderly interact with both guitars, fiddle, and harp. These interchanging leads and lines tend to balance each other with superb results. Bruce and Cornett help Henry with the vocals, which he would have no trouble spitting out himself. His cigar-bar voice smokes through all the tunes in the set, without equivocation. Another batch of premium blues from another Delta son! Henry Gray's music is the old piano room sound that used to echo from Chicago haunts in the forties. With the advent of electric blues, the pianoman was relegated to a differing role, but not Henry Gray. His piano still leads, supports, and makes his music what it is today!

Mark A. Cole

If you had to write down a list of the top 10 bluesmen of all time, chances are Henry Gray would have played piano with most of them. Muddy, Wolf, Walter, and many of their ilk may be long gone, but Henry Gray is very much alive and kicking, and sounding in fine voice too on "Blues Won't Let Me Take My Rest," his first ever live recording.

The instrumental "Greyhound Blues" gets the show off to a cracking start. Gray's pounding piano drives the tune along, with the fingers sounding as nimble as ever at the ripe old age of 74. Brian "BB" Bruce does a particularly fine job on this track, with a tone Little Walter would have been proud of, while Andy Cornett and Earl Christopher--the rest of Gray's regular band, the Cats--provide the foundation for the band's sound. The tune sets a very high standard which the band, supplemented by special guests Sonny Landreth and Martin Simpson on slide, and Eric Aceto on fiddle, maintain throughout.

The choice of songs reflects Gray's career, spanning from Louisiana to Chicago and back. Although some of the covers may seem a little predictable ("Rock Me Baby", "Dust My Broom" and "Sweet Home Chicago"), do not be fooled by the titles. They are arranged to exploit Gray's piano as a lead instrument, which helps give them fresh impetus. Even "Dust My Broom" has the slide guitar parts mostly played on the piano.

Alongside the opening track, other particular favorites are a cover of Maceo Merriwether's "Worried Life Blues" (Merriwether was Gray's mentor in Chicago), and the other three Gray originals ("Ain't Goin' For That," "It Ain't No Use," and the title track). These tracks give you a chance to hear Gray at his majestic best. The rest of the tracks are all very good too, and there is plenty of stuff here to make a party go with a swing.

"Blues Won't Let Me Take My Rest" is the best live blues album I have heard in a long time. The mix of up tempo dance numbers, and slower piano blues should make it accessible to most blues lovers. The combination of Gray and the Cats with the two slide guitars and fiddle produces an original sound which manages to marry together the Chicago and Swamp Blues styles in a way that really works.

In the liner notes, Gray, when asked what kept him going (in 1987) replied "I know that wherever I go in this world I can play the piano and make someone smile." All I can say is "Blues Won't Let Me Take My Rest" certainly put a smile on this reviewer's face.

Gordon Baxter, Blues on Stage

"Seventy-four-year-old pianist and Kenner native has worked with all the giants of post-World War II blues: Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Jimmy Rogers, Robert Jr. Lockwood, Elmore James? and that's just the tip of the iceburg. But Gray hasn't received the volume of recording opportunities and accolades afforded peers such as the late barrelhouse masters Champion Jack Dupree and Big Maceo. That's remedied with this new live CD.

This CD shows that Gray's prowess hasn't diminshed with age... There are a few originals but mostly Gray sticks to workhorses from the folk/blues canon? "Dust My Broom", "Sweet Home Chicago", "Fannie Mae" and "Stagger Lee". The material sounds fresh thanks to his piano being mixed out front as the lead instrument... and with his utterly authentic and idiosyncratic voice? cracking and groaning with hard gravity at times? Gray makes the songs his own. It's Gray's show all the way, and it's about time."??

Scott Jordan, Gambit Weekly, New Orleans, LA

"This CD proves what we have known all along - that Henry Gray is one of the leading blues men performing in the world today. His piano and voice are in top form as he boogies, shuffles, strides and plays straight 12 to the bar blues. He is the most authentic and last remaining Louisiana piano player in the tradition of Lil' Brother Montgomery, Champion Jack Dupree & Tuts Washington."

Jerry Brock, Louisiana Music Factory Grammy Winning Producer

I'm playing Henry's CD on both my blues show & New Orleans music show on WWOZ in New Orleans. It's a magnificent CD.

John Sinclair, Blues Poet

As an admirable CD, This disc provides a viable showcase for Gray's ebullient showmanship and workman like piano technique. He is pushed forcefully by a band that includes guitarists Sonny Landreth and Martin Simpson, fiddle player Eric Aceto, Harpist Brian "BB" Bruce and Andy Cornett on bass. Drummer Earl Christopher should be commended for his mastery of the nearly forgotten art of providing rhythmic impetus without overkill.

David Whiteis, Living Blues

"In working and playing in a musical arc that runs from Baton Rouge to Chicago and beyond, to where ever people love the blues, piano man Henry Gray has steadfastly carried forward the musical tradition that first touched him at a young age. Gray's ensemble playing with Howlin' Wolf for over a decade, and his life-long contribution in bringing attention to the sometines overlooked Baton Rouge scene, have earned him a reputation as a reliable veteran of the blues. This recording finally puts Henry Gray, his voice and piano -- at once rough and ready, mellow and sweet - at the center of his friends and followers, live in Louisiana. He has never sounded better."

Nick Spitzer, American Routes, Public Radio International

"Two words - cold chills"
"I knew the night we broadcasted Mr. Gray live from Grant Street that an incredible moment in time was transpiring. I'm glad someone had the foresight to capture these fleeting moments, to document one of Louisiana's most treasured natural resources."

Reese Fuller, louisianaradio.com

"This is a great addition to my collection. I'm crazy about Henry Gray's playing. He is a truly original artist;there is never any doubt about who you are hearing when you're listening to Henry's Blues. These are raw, deep blues, musically unpredictable and unfettered."

Ann Rabson, piano player for Sapphire Uppity Blues Women

"Sweet Home Chicago was the theme for the first day and night of this year's Chicago Blues Fest, and the set that best represented it was the tribute to the late Howlin' Wolf. With Hubert Sumlin on guitar, Abb Locke on saxaphone and Sunnyland Slim on piano, and vocal. It began in a good groove, but when Henry Gray took Slim's place, (with his voice like a slab of slate, his piano work tough and jumping) the blues were there for real."

Larry Kent, Chicago Tribune

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