This is the blues! Henry Gray and the Cats CD Review in Big City Blues

"Henry Gray has been playing piano for over seven decades, recorded with Jimmy Reed, Elmore James, Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Little Milton, Jr. Wells, Lazy Lester, and has more than 58 albums to his credit. He held down the piano stool in Howlin’ Wolf’s band from 1956 till 1968, and been credited as helping create that distinctive Chicago blues piano sound. Returning to Louisiana in ‘68, he became part of the swamp boogie scene. In recent years he’s received four W. C.Handy nominations, and been awarded the National Heritage Fellowship Award by the National Endowment of the Arts. He’s been a fixture at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festivals for the past 30 years. He’s joined on Times are Gettin’ Hard by the Cats, Brian “B.B” Bruce harmonica, Marty Christian guitar, Frank Kincel drums, Andy Cornett bass, and Jackie Bruce on tambourine and backup vocals. This project isn’t just another old blues musician pumping out some traditional blues; these cats have teeth and a bite that proves that Henry can still pound out his blues. This CD features an impressive 15 songs, most of which are Henry Grey originals.

Henry kicks off with a solo number, “Trouble, Trouble,” just him singing and playing piano. This is the blues! With his big full left hand and the intricacy of the right, you can hear how he’s blazed the trail for blues and is still traveling that road today. The Cats join in on the title number, “Times are Gettin’ Hard” and this band plays under and around the piano, rising to the surface for solos and accents, delivering a full driving sound as Henry sings and plays. Marty Christian on guitar and BB on harp play underlying leads, follow-ing the piano and showcasing this master. Henry’s blues aren’t just hard times and trouble; the party gets started with the toe tapping boogie number “Come on In, as the guitar plays a funky groove while the piano rocks and the harp jumps.  “Wanda Faye” moves along with a steady rhythm till they take her “Goin’ Downtown,” a jumping, dance number where Henry struts his stuff on piano while the harp and guitar rock. The cover of Snooky Pryor’s “Please Be Careful” is a slow stroll number with an outstanding piano solo. “Katrina Katrina” plays off the standard “Corina Corina” to voice Henry’s thoughts on his home state. He keeps that attitude with “How Could You Do It,” but turns them both into jamming numbers with the band rocking, the harp hit-ting high and wailing into “Jump On Board” a swinging boogie that showcases all the players. They slow things down with “Going Down Slow,” a classic Chicago blues number by St. Louis Jimmy Oden, with the guitar taking the solo and then “Stroll is Back” with a swampy sachet of piano and harmonica. J B Lenoir’s “How Much More” rocks with Henry’s left hand while the guitar leads drive the music. “Honey, What You Gonna Do” is a rollick-ing swamp boogie. Henry is up to date with the joyously rocking “Barack Obama Boogie,” with the cheers and remarks from the backup singers joining in as everyone is ready to celebrate.  Henry Gray has lived through some good time and some hard trials, and with Times are Gettin’ Hard,” he proves he can stand up against the storm and still produce noteworthy music while keeping the blues alive." — Roger & Margaret White, Big City Blues Magazine