Digital Media Center
Bryant-Denny Stadium, Gate 61
920 Paul Bryant Drive
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0370
(800) 654-4262

© 2024 Alabama Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Giants of Soul: A New Approach

For his latest release, producer and troubadour Joe Henry worked with giants in soul music, from Allen Toussaint to Mavis Staples. It was quite a departure for Henry, whose songs include "Richard Pryor Addresses a Tearful Nation."

I Believe to My Soul is a collection of classic soul and R&B singers doing songs they hadn't done before. It features some of Henry's favorite performers: Irma Thomas, Ann Peebles and Billy Preston, along with Staples and Toussaint.

Recording for the album began in the summer of 2005, long before Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast.

In the wake of that disaster, it was decided that the record would benefit survivors of the hurricane — several musicians involved in recording Soul have long-standing ties to New Orleans — especially Toussaint, who has lived there for decades.

Since 1986, Henry has released nine albums, which have fostered a bit of a cult following for his work. His songwriting has been compared to Bob Dylan and Tom Waits. His songs include "Don't Tell Me" — which was recorded by his sister-in-law, Madonna.

On his 2001 album Scar, Henry collaborated with jazz musicians Ornette Coleman and Brad Mehldau. In addition working with Aimee Mann, Henry also produced legendary singer Solomon Burke's Don't Give Up On Me, which won a Grammy in 2002.

Copyright 2022 Fresh Air. To see more, visit Fresh Air.

Tags
Combine an intelligent interviewer with a roster of guests that, according to the Chicago Tribune, would be prized by any talk-show host, and you're bound to get an interesting conversation. Fresh Air interviews, though, are in a category by themselves, distinguished by the unique approach of host and executive producer Terry Gross. "A remarkable blend of empathy and warmth, genuine curiosity and sharp intelligence," says the San Francisco Chronicle.
News from Alabama Public Radio is a public service in association with the University of Alabama. We depend on your help to keep our programming on the air and online. Please consider supporting the news you rely on with a donation today. Every contribution, no matter the size, propels our vital coverage. Thank you.