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- Artist: Henry Townsend
- Rating:
- Release Date: May 18, 2004
- Genre: Blues
Review
The ageless Henry Townsend is a national treasure, with an amazing eight-decade musical career that has seen him help shape the sound of St. Louis blues (both on guitar and piano), define it, and even restructure it in his current configuration as the elder statesman of the genre. This intimate and charming album was recorded over three days in 1979 at Townsend's home and at a piano store in St. Louis. Rolling tape in a piano store definitely has its advantages, since Townsend is featured on a variety of pianos, from a nine-foot grand to several uprights, and even takes a turn at playing boogie on a harpsichord. He plays plenty of acoustic guitar here, too, and on a couple of tracks, he picks up an electric, and the end result is a wonderfully varied portrait of this compelling bluesman. One of the things that makes Townsend distinctive is the way he improvises lyrics over set patterns, giving his songs surprising freshness even as they also display an eerie familiarity. This is the way the blues is supposed to be executed, and even though Townsend was in his 70s when these recordings were done, his playing and singing are spry, sharp and intelligent. Highlights include a cover of James P.Johnson's "My Babe" (the only track not written by Townsend), "Can't Help Myself" (with Townsend on electric guitar and the clear sound of a parakeet in the background), and the final track, "Going Back Home," which has Townsend tearing loose on a harpsichord. A wonderful set. ~ Steve Leggett, All Music GuideTracks
| Track Title | Composers | Performers | Time |
| Can't You See | Henry Townsend | (3:21) | |
| Mercy | Henry Townsend | (4:17) | |
| Can't Help Myself | Henry Townsend | (3:20) | |
| So Long, So Long | Henry Townsend | (3:20) | |
| Pleasin' Myself | Henry Townsend | (3:47) | |
| My Babe | Henry Townsend | (3:03) | |
| Crying Won't Make Me Stay | Henry Townsend | (3:25) | |
| Sad Story | Henry Townsend | (4:43) | |
| I've Got to Go | Henry Townsend | (4:20) | |
| Long Ago | Henry Townsend | (4:37) | |
| Bye Bye St. Louis | Henry Townsend | (2:53) | |
| Room and Board | Henry Townsend | (3:47) | |
| What's on Your Mind? | Henry Townsend | (5:25) | |
| Let Her Go | Henry Townsend | (3:17) | |
| I Regret | Henry Townsend | (4:25) | |
| Every Once in a While | Henry Townsend | (3:44) | |
| Going Back Home | Henry Townsend | Henry Townsend | (3:19) |
