LOOKING
BACK
HENRY YOUNG’S NEW JAZZ & BLUES CD
Henry
Young, Vancouver’s most enduring jazz landmark, launches his
second CD Looking Back, featuring the pure voice of Cree
singer Fara. He has played alongside the best in his 35 year
career, accompanying the likes of Nina Simone, Ray Charles and
Charlie Byrd. Henry and his guitar have entertained in every
possible Vancouver venue. He has performed in clubs in New
York, Paris, and London. He has been featured at the Newport
and Montreux Jazz Festivals and toured Africa and Europe.
Now Young has paused in his hectic schedule of club gigs and major events to lay down tracks for his second CD, Looking Back.
Raised
in the toughest part of East Vancouver (Chinatown), Young found his
soul in the R&B of the early ‘60s. He developed, playing
with Vancouver’s first “mixed race” band, The Mischiefs,
at the Smiling Buddha, Danceland, Shanghai Junk, the Elegant Parlor,
Harlem Nocturne, and more. Later, he discovered jazz and
continues to play in his distinct style of jazz with blues overtones.
These particular tunes were chosen for Looking Back
because of their personal meaning to Young and for their timeless
appeal. When he chose the studio and musicians, he was looking
for a warm, live sound reminiscent of the old Blue Note recordings.
In choosing talent over technology, Young wanted to work with
musicians noted for their good ears, sensitivity to material, energy
and attitude. Each song was arranged to give it a fresh
interpretation. The approach was to play in a relaxed, “live”
scenario without restrictions on the players. Having the
featured appearance and free spirit of Fara aboard on vocals is a
pure bonus.
LOOKING BACK is available:
c/o Henry Young Publishing
Co.
Email: henry.young@shaw.ca
1.
NO BLUES TODAY 3:50
Original song, reminiscent of the old
Blue Note Jimmy Smith Trio style
2.
GEORGIA ON MY MIND 6:58
Emulating Ray Charle’s gospel
blues interpretation in the late ‘50s, with the addition of the
“Memphis Soul” horns sound
3.
LOVE DANCE 5:36
Great construction of a song in terms of
changes, a fresh arrangement featuring the pure sound of Fara on
vocals
4.
‘ROUND MIDNIGHT 5:30
The dark tones of this jazz standard
tell the life story of Thelonius Monk
5.
RAINY NIGHT IN GEORGIA 4:52
Instrumental tribute to the
rich baritone voice of Brook Benton (vocal version)
6.
ONE FOR MY BABY (AND ONE MORE FOR THE ROAD) 5:46
Invokes
images of Frank Sinatra and late night smoky bars
7.
SLEEPWALK 5:58
First combination of steel guitar and
electric guitar; haunting melody with simple changes, very
influential tune for guitar players in the late ‘50s
8.
WHEN YOU’RE DANCING 6:58
Inspired by Miles Davis’s “In
A Silent Way” this original tune was first written as an
instrumental. The free-spirited feeling of this song lent
itself naturally to the collaboration on lyrics with the talented
Cree singer Fara, a true free spirit. Great interplay between
guitar and voice.
9.
ALL THE WAY/HERE’S THAT RAINY DAY 5:09
After hours and
rainy days in Vancouver
10.
LOVE WON’T LET ME WAIT 4:30
Interpretation of Major
Harris’s sensual love song
11.
BODY AND SOUL 5:03
Jazz standard every guitar player should
learn , one of the best written songs ever
12.
MY FUNNY VALENTINE 4:39
Updated pop version utilizing
Fara’s incredible voice in the perspective of another instrument
More information
on Henry Young and his previous Album "Cooking
on Sunday"