NEW!! Henry Cooper Review at www.oregonlive.com

Cascade Blues Association “Bluesnotes”
Henry Cooper “The Gin Years”
by Greg Johnson
January 2008

It has been way too many years since Henry Cooper last put out a CD. that was back in 2001, with the live album, “Automatic Trouble.” You just knew that Henry had to have something brewing within his creative mind over the ensuing years. It brings to mind John Lee Hooker singing about overhearing his parents talking about him while lying in bed one night, “It’s inside him and it needs to come out. Let that boy boogie!” Thankfully, Henry is providing new music once again with the release of “The Gin Years.” The long wait is over. And, this boy is boogie-ing indeed!

Without question, Henry has long been regarded as one of the Northwest’s premier guitar players. Whether it is working in a band like The Terraplanes or the Duffy Bishop Band, backing Screamin’ Jay Hawkins or leading his own outfit, Henry has always entertained us. You can hear influences of Albert Collins, Muddy Waters or Elmore James, but listening to Henry you know that you're hearing somebody unique. Someone who has established his own sound. A sound that captivates with its bluesy grooves and slides. A sound that is enhanced with musicians who have worked with Henry for a while and know they're part of that special creation. You couldn’t ask for a group of guys to make that come across better than bassist Eric Bryson, drummer Dave Jette and Ed Vance on the keys.

“The Gin Years” explodes from the get-go. Taking the listerner on a musical journey that travels through Elmore James-like slide (a personal reading of the classic “Steady Rollin’ Man” theme called “Unsteady”), Memphis Soul (a very Booker T. sounding “Foxette”), a touch of surf (“Kape Kiwanda”), a little Rockabilly (“Blue Sky”), and a whole smorgasbord of flavors thrown in just for good measure. It all goes to show that Henry Cooper is quite adept at moving about in any type of guitar rhythm he feels like approaching. But, there is never any question that the master behind all of this sound is Henry Cooper. Truly a unique and identifiable artist. Now if we could just get him to release more music, more often.

The Oregonian
Music Preview: Henry Cooper at Trails End Saloon
by Don Campbell
January 25, 2008

Contrary to old platitudes, you can go home again.

Bluesman Henry Cooper spent his formative years in Eugene on the harmonica and slide guitar during the time Robert Cray and Curtis Salgado’s Nighthawks were regional sensations.

He blistered his fingers and lips, and audience ears, plying roots-rocker chops with the Explorers and the Falcons before relocating to Portland where he joined drummer Boyd Small and bassist Andy Strange in the Terraplanes. That unit went on to provide backing duties for the mesmerizing Screamin’ Jay Hawkins.

In 1990, Duffy Bishop, then a budding young Seattle chanteuse, caught wind of Cooper's talents and hired him for her band, a spot he held for seven years.

In ‘97 Cooper went solo. He is releasing his fourth album, “The Gin Years,” and has come back to Oregon. From his new digs in Otis, on the Oregon coast, Cooper says, “Seattle doesn‘t have the cool blues scene that Portland does.” And besides, he offers, “I’ve been away so long, no one is sick of me yet.”

And won‘t likely be. The 11-song album is a mix of original roadhouse slide guitar (“Unsteady”), roots rockers (“Foxette” and “Blue Sky”), surf (“Kape Kiwanda”), country (“Second Time”), and the kind of greasy slow blues that makes your joints hurt (“Death Jacket Blues”).

Cooper is a well-schooled and inspired instrumentalist and songwriter. His voice, the least muscular tool in his arsenal, is nonetheless strong enough and stylized enough to carry the songs.

“Everybody says this, but it’s the best record I’ve done,” says Cooper. And the perfect way to come back home.

Washington Blues Society “Bluesletter”
Henry Cooper “The Gin Years”
by Dennis Dudley “Blues Boss”
December 2008

As many of you know, Henry Cooper left town for his home state of Oregon.   But, he left us a nice little present to enjoy — The Gin Years. This is Henry’s first recording in over 7 years and it doesn’t disappoint. Plenty of “tried and true” slide guitar, and a whole lot more, including a great tune (Upriver Blues) featuring Ed Vance on vocals. There is a wonderful bonus instrumental track at the end also featuring Mr. Vance on piano. But, make no mistake, this is Henry Cooper as we know him. Great slide guitar, smooth vocals (the “Talking Troubador” for sure) and a strong rhythm (Dave Jette on drums and Eric Bryson on bass). Some nice twists, too, like a little country (Second Time), a surf tune (Kape Kiwanda), and a great little tune (Road’s End) featuring Henry on some great harp. Enjoy, it was worth the wait!