J-Henry Another Long Day CD

J-Henry grew up in a working class family of five boys in Central New Jersey, listening to Springsteen, Mellencamp, and Bob Seger, while fine-tuning his own version of heartland rock - blending Americana, blues and pop with lyrics that reflect that average American's world. He says he writes the "every man" song, drawing from experiences that most people can relate to.While playing as an acoustic artist in the New Jersey club scene, Henry was spotted by Anthony Krizan from the Spin Doctors, who immediately connected with his simple heartfelt lyrics and melodies. Together they set out to produce a CD and form a band that would compliment his sound.Two years later, J-Henry's CD Another Long Day was released on the independent RockView Records on August 9, with distribution by Fontana/Universal. With an outstanding live show - an 8 piece classic rock band of seasoned players whose members have toured with the likes of Meatloaf, Mellencamp, and the Stones, J-Henry is touring the country as part of the NASCAR Regional Racing.com 'Emerging Artist Series' and getting rave reviews. His single, 'Come On', is currently at #15 on the FMQB Adult Contemporary Chart. CD Baby gives props to Henry with an Editor's Pick: "Absolute Americana perfection. With all the cushy blessings of Pop, intelligently matched with the ache and grind of country Americana, J-Henry has honed in on all the elements that make this genre so widely appealing. Taking the influences of Bob Seger, Van Morrison, Hornsby, Springsteen and Mellencamp, while making this genre his very own, this up and coming rocker deserves a hearty listen." Music Appraisal Magazine: "J-Henry IS the Springsteen of the new generation of Americana artists."GarageBand.com says: "This is how blues rock should sound. The production is in a word: excellent. There's a great overall swampy, dirty feel that really makes the song."Rock The Web comments: "[J-Henry was] chosen as the only Americana artist for Target Stores' 'America's Best Independent Artist' campaign. The music has the grit and grind of the working class. Flavors of Bob Seger and Bruce Springsteen."

This impressive, engaging, and hook- and anthem-minded if not wholly original roots rocker at least has the good sense to mention in his bio that he "grew up in a working class family of 5 boys in Central New Jersey listening to Springsteen, Mellencamp and Bob Seger," while fine tuning his own version of heartland rock. Listening to his incendiary debut -- produced with the perfect balance of raw edge and slick funk by Anthony Krizan of the Spin Doctors, who discovered the singer/songwriter as an acoustic artist playing the NJ club scene -- it seems as though he's borrowing quite a lot from all three. And the album cover borrows a bit from the Springsteen look circa 1975. But those are minor points. The pop charts may not be into working-man Americana tunes anymore, so hats off to any artist who can bank his career hopes on these kinds of slices-of-life tunes. Instantly engaging, punchy mid-tempo rock singalongs like "Long Gone," "Another Long Day," and "Just a Woman" are hard to resist, even if under all the guitars and J-Henry's gritty voice they don't pack the poetic punch of his influences. The intensity of these rockers is balanced by a handful of country-flavored tunes, including the romantic power ballad "On the Horizon" and the lilting "Back to LA." Moving into Marc Cohn territory, he goes for a romantic, piano-driven gospel vibe on the mournful "When It's Raining." J-Henry's emotional rasp makes even the prosaic lyrics seem more powerful on this tune and many others. He's definitely got the chops to make it big as an indie artist, but he'll have to work on a deeper sense of lyrical poetry to be remembered as anything more than just a fun bar band singer. ~ Jonathan Widran

Personnel: Anthony Krizan (guitar); Rob Clores (keyboards); John Hummell (drums); Vivian Sessoms (background vocals).