The Henrys - Shrug (new release)

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 23 Apr 2022 7:37 am

https://thehenrys.bandcamp.com/album/shrug

Don Rooke, my favorite Canadian steel guitarist, just released a new recording with his band The Henrys called Shrug. It's filled with subtle, atmospheric, unique compositions. I recommend it for those with open ears!

Steve Cunningham · Post by **Steve Cunningham** » 23 Apr 2022 8:45 am

I remember being introduced to Don Rooke's playing a long time ago through Brad's Page Of Steel (such a great resource!). Dude has a great touch, so extremely musical.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 23 Apr 2022 11:22 am

It’s my favorite release by Don yet. He is such an interesting artist in every respect and super funky. Not to mention one of the best people on the planet.

Allan Revich · Post by **Allan Revich** » 24 Apr 2022 8:42 am

Really nice stuff there. I wish I had seen The Henrys when I lived in Toronto.

Orville Johnson · Post by **Orville Johnson** » 25 Apr 2022 2:16 pm

Here's a video for one of the tunes...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDzL_Mm6V8Y&t=8s

Mark Evans · Post by **Mark Evans** » 26 Apr 2022 9:29 am

Holy smokes!
These guys really flew under the radar for me.
I perused the early part of their catalog yesterday (while working in my art studio)
Aside from the totally quirky but quality slide work (mostly s acoustic resonator and weissenborn I assume), the ensemble is wonderfully experimental… which wanders into a funky groove and elsewhere.

Thanks a ton for pointing this out. I got stuff to explore!

Mark E

Andrew Frost · Post by **Andrew Frost** » 28 Apr 2022 1:57 pm

I think Don was one of the first steel players I heard in person, back in the early 90s when I was in high school. I love that quirky sound the Henrys seem to be constantly reworking, that you can't quite pin down....

Donald Rooke · Post by **Donald Rooke** » 2 May 2022 6:50 am

Thank you Brad and my pals for your kind words! It's so nice to be heard by the Steelverse, the Steelworkers Union, the... players who know what they're talking about.

Although I played more guitar on this record than I normally do, there's still plenty of Duolian squareneck, the chambered Yanuziello lap (that I posted about a couple of years ago), and a bit of Kona. No dobro this time because I used it so much on the last record.

Cheers,
Don