|
Listening
with Lee To those that remember him, Henry
Gross might seem the typical one hit wonder. Back in the mid-'70s, he
scored an unlikely chart-buster with an ode to his deceased dog. It
was a song called "Shannon" and it featured some of the
tightest high harmonies since the Beach Boys sang about a certain
surfer girl. A few well-made albums followed, but sadly, Henry was
never again able to hit those heights of success. If justice had anything to do with popular appeal, Gross would regain that acclaim with his latest effort, I'm Hearing Things, released on his own independent Zelda label. True, his hair may be thinning and his voice may strain just to hit those high notes, but clearly he hasn't lost his ability to write and produce superior songs and immaculate arrangements. Once upon a time, these tunes would have propelled him back to the top of the charts. Sadly, radio is in such a sad state, memorable melodies, heavenly hooks and irresistible refrains don't count for much anymore. Regardless, Henry has them all here. Songs such as "I'm Not Myself," "Mama Who's Gonna Rock" and "Love to a Memory" are the kind of compositions that capture the spirit of pure pop, filled with a timeless tunefulness and classic cadence that sometimes recalls the Beatles in their craft and creative spirit. "Lucky Me" and "Time's Gonna Come" make a natural transition into a country-ish vein, but there again, Gross sounds credible, capable and commercially adept. Of course, Gross is no stranger to popular expectations -- he played Woodstock as a member of the oldies revival outfit Sha Na Na. Thirty plus years later, his music's more astute and accessible than ever. All it needs is to be noticed. (www.henrygross.com) |
