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

Indeed, Henry Gray moves through his sets and songs purely on feelin'. There is never a set list. Each performance is different and filled with refreshing bursts of spontaneity. His presence on stage is a mix between a child-like aura and a master's old soul and it all can be seen on his face as he performs.

Henry transports the audience in time with his pure and genuine, driving style of piano playing and his rich voice as he blends the old styles of Chicago, Louisiana Delta , and New Orleans barrel house Blues.

One can smell the smoke and taste the bar-b-que when Henry is working. The Chicago Tribune had this to say about Henry's performance in the first Howlin' Wolf reunion concert at the 1987 Chicago Blues Festival, "

When Gray hit the stage with his voice like a slab of slate and his two fisted driving piano style, you knew the blues were there." As you will hear on this recording, Henry is as strong now and the blues are definitely here with a feelin."

This CD is a dream come true and the result of many of labors of love. "Blues Won't let Me Take My Rest" is Henry's first recorded live performance put to CD or any other format in the world.

The night was filled with magic and joy for all those who were blessed to be there. Henry was working with three musicians he refers to as his band, theCats- Brian Bruce (harmonica), Earl Christopher (drums), and Andy Cornett (bass).

The Cats combined experience of working with Henry adds up to fifty-seven years. They know his music and Henry likes this. In addition, the night was blessed with the presence and talent of three wonderful people- Sonny Landreth and Martin Simpson on slide guitars and Eric Aceto on blues fiddle. Sonny Landreth ( a native Louisianan) is well known to many in the world as a talented writer and player.

Martin Simpson ( a Brit) has an internationally respected reputation as a writer and player, also. Both Simpson and Landreth have numerous recordings available in the music market place. Aceto, hales from Ithaca, New York and has is well thought of in his circle of musical peers and is on several CDs in the music market, too.

All of these players can hold their own anywhere in the world with their talent and skills. You will hear the evidence of this on this CD.

We hope you enjoy this intimate and rare recorded work. We have tried the best we could to serve you an honest Louisiana evening with Henry Gray, his music, and his band. One day in 1987, I asked Henry what kept him going? He paused, reflected, then grinned from ear to ear before saying, " I know that wherever I go in this world I can play the piano and make someone smile." Well, on the night we recorded this CD everyone in the joint was smiling and the Blues were great!