December 2009

Hear Henry Cooper's music featured in the new Oregon indie surfing movie THE FIND: Claiming Nelscott Reef.

In the sharky and cold waters of Oregon, a grassroots tow-in surf contest takes place at a new found break, Nelscott Reef. Giant waves up to 50 feet challenge the best big wave surfers in the world, exposing surfing's struggle to find new territories, the ugly rise of localism—in search of the ALOHA spirit.

ROOTSTIME - Belgium
Henry Cooper “The Gin Years”
by Ronny Bervoets (Ron)
January 2009

Occasionally Roots Time will get music that really surprises them. This CD, “The Gin Years,” is one of them. I must honestly admit that I had not heard of Henry Cooper (yes, even I don’t hear everything). I wonder then, how is it that a man who has delivered such a beautiful CD, remain unnoticed until now especially since this is already his fourth CD release?

That does not mean that his music went undetected elsewhere. Henry started as a harmonica player in his native Oregon honing his chops alongside Curtis Salgado and Robert Cray. He was initially inspired by Paul Butterfield and Big Walter Horton and started with the harmonica. Later, he discovered, however, the slide guitar and that became his instrument of choice. Elmore James, Muddy Waters and Albert Collins were his heroes. And yes, he knows how to play. He began with country, slowly turned to blues as this is the genre where the slide can express the most feeling. He created a sound, which is a combination between finger picking and slide and the styles of blues, country and Hawaiian.

Henry Cooper’s main achievements are his work with Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, and for many years as a permanent member of the Duffy Bishop Band. His own bands include The Explorers, the Terraplanes and Los Falcons. The last seven years, he has headed up his own band, but the previous release, “Automatic Trouble – Live at the EMP” produced seven years ago. That, of course, escaped our attention.

When listening to “The Gin Years,” the opening song “Unsteady,” had all my attention. I was immediately drawn by the excellent-sounding, and bone chilling prolonged slide sound of Henry’s guitar, this number is an Elmore James style and opens the CD on a marvelous note. “Foxette” follows and reflects a solid Stax style production. It sounds like-Booker T and MG’s are here at work. This is a great instrumental, especially enhanced by the tasty Hammond B-3 player Ed Vance. Other strong tracks are “Second Time,” a Hawaiian/JJ Cale influenced sounding song and “Cape Kiwanda,” an energetic surf instrumental. That this CD is full of variety is further demonstrated by the song “Blue Sky,” a raucous rockabilly track, which is followed by the pure blues boogie, “On Your Way,” my favorite here, without a doubt. And the variety continues, after this boogie is a charming, modest instrumental song “Road Ends” that closes out the CD where Henry, along with his masterful guitar sound, he adds some heart-warming harmonica. A CD to cherish.

www.rootstime.be

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!