Chasing Grace
1996

Songs:

Social Piranhas
Din Of Inequity
Bait & Switch
Intro: Avenues
Avenues Of Forgiveness
Sawchuk Head
Joe Batt’s Arm
Agony Aunt
Die Fieldmouse
Chump Changes
Rash
Sweet Daddy Siki
A Mouse in Sheep’s Clothing

How can Toronto's finest lounge-lizard instrumental band follow up last year's debut, "Puerto Angel"? Simple - with an album that stretches their musical adeptness and boundaries still further...Plenty more of the sinuous slide guitars and torque-wrench tight rhythms that are easy to listen to but a long, long way from Easy Listening...The compositions and playing are impeccable...Make this one of your essential albums." -Folk Roots Magazine, U.K., review by Ian Kearey, October 1996 ==================== Musically, The Henrys arrive at a strange hybrid, an almost ambient concoction of swinging jazz, country and blues, tinged by flickering neon. David Trevis's near dub bass pours out like hot tar...The Henrys seem to have cultivated a completely new genre. -Q Magazine, U.K., review by Martin Longley, October 1996 ==================== Pop by any of the Henrys' live sessions and you're bound to be treated to a set of edgy instrumental ambience, blurring demarcation lines between jazz, dustbowl twang and sun-baked Hawaiian blues. All the parts appear to be in place on Chasing Grace... There is an unfaltering sense of ease with which Don Rooke guides the sessions, juggling kona, acoustic, lapsteel, National and Hawaiian King guitars with relentless creativity. And each of Rooke's compositions are impeccably arranged and tastefully played, with the guitar/bass/drums configuration augmented by trumpet, keys, and conch shell and with Mary Margaret O'Hara providing occasional flutters. -NOW Magazine, review by Matt Galloway, October 1996 ==================== A mostly acoustic band with folksy roots and progressive branches. A few tunes feature vocals, but the album's most soulful singer is Don Rooke's Kona guitar, a Weissenborn-like slide instrument. Lovely stuff. -Guitar Player, February 1997 ==================== The Henrys play classic Americana - wonderfully arranged, sharply talented and springing from the sheer joy of playing. In a time where most see "roots rock" as a return to simpler folk forms, the Henrys distinguish themselves by adding flourishes that accentuate and decorate the music into something extraordinary. A couple of songs feature stunning vocals from Mary Margaret O'Hara, whose clear voice can at times be confused with at theremin. Subtle and immersive."