I am loving this Anti-/Epitaph trend of signing blues and jazz musicians. Most of what I’ve heard thus far is experimental and compelling, and Joe Henry is no exception. Blood From Stars is kind of like wandering into a Tom Waits album, only to find Tom’s on vacation and his eccentric but good-natured friends are playing host in his absence. At first you are caught of guard, but soon find that this other environment is exactly what you went searching for to begin with.

“All Blues Hail Mary” is a sweeping plain of plunky piano and guitar, initially comforting, but the eerie rumble of cymbals somewhere in the deep promises there is more to things than what meets the ear. “The Man I Keep Hid” is classic blues tune full of sophisticated wretchedness; the sizzling trumpet and piano plod like trusty horses into a dusty town. “Death To The Storm,” meanwhile, is an old-school, Southern-style haunt, a peculiar melody with lamenting strings and a creepy choir of voices singing the title chorus.

A particular pleasure to Blood… is the inclusion of Levon Henry, Joe’s son and accomplished musician in his own right. Having recently won two soloist awards at the Monterey Jazz Festival’s “Next Generation” competitions, it was only a matter of time before the precocious 17-year-old would be featured by any number of jazz musicians, the first just happened to be his father. He has a distinct talent for phrasing, and he effortlessly animates already vibrant passages.

Most of what Henry does comes from familiar ground, either for those schooled in the Ornette Coleman style of jazz, Taj Mahal’s blues-work, or the whiskey-soaked world of Waits, but even flavours of Randy Newman and Burt Bacharach make appearances. The best part of Blood From Stars, however, is never quite knowing what combination of those influences you are going to hear next. Thoroughly enjoyable in any number of doses.

Track Listing:

1. Prelude: Light No Lamp
2. The Man I Keep Hid
3. Channel
4. This Is My Favorite Cage
5. Death To The Storm
6. All Blues Hail Mary
7. Bellwether
8. Progress Of Love
9. Over Her Shoulder
10. Suit On A Frame
11. Truce
12. Stars
13. Coda: Light No Lamp