Joe Henry:

Murder of Crows:(1989)

I've read interviews where even Joe Henry himself has suggested that maybe listeners should skip over his first few albums. But, being a bit of a completist, I've tried to collect them all. However, I understand the point of view, I'm not crazy about people hearing my first albums either. But, this blog is focusing on my vinyl collection, which brings us to Murder of Crows, the only piece of the Joe Henry discography I have on vinyl. I have all the others, except for Talk of Heaven, on CD. Now, is Murder of Crows as strong as, say, Trampoline or Invisible Hour? No. But, most of the areas where this album stumbles are in the production. The songs feel solid. It's just the that the singer gets a little lost and seems unsure of the surroundings in what feels like a dated production style. Which brings up the question, why own albums, even by an artist your dig, if you feel they are weak albums? Because when I dig an artist as much as I dig Joe Henry, I want the whole picture. I may not listen to this album as many times as I reach for Tiny Voices, but it paints a path of where the artist came from, perhaps informing me about production ideas Henry has tried to stir away from in his later work. Bob Dylan has said, the journey is the goal, not the destination. And someone's early albums are that "journey", deeming them worth hearing. 

Not having seen any of Joe Henry's albums on vinyl, I was not expecting to find any. I was surprised while digging through a dusty crate at Black and Read's second Denver location, the one with just used stuff, and only open on Saturdays, to come across Murder Of Crows. Upon finding it I dug feverishly through many more boxes hoping to find more Henry vinyl. Alas there were none. 

As a complete side note, as a singer/songwriter myself, there are very few singer/songwriter/producers that I respect more than Joe Henry. It would be an honor to be able to get on the shovel and work with him on a project.