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Scott Henderson: Tore Down House

By Jim Santella
May 1, 1999
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With a fusion of jazz, blues and rock, guitarist Scott Henderson put together a set of his own songs; the lone exception is Jaco Pastorius’ "Continuum." Most of the album features Thelma Houston with a blues trio; Houston wails while Henderson smokes in a contemporary electric blues vein. Most of the guitarist’s career has been based on fusion; leaders with whom Henderson worked early on include Joe Zawinul, Jean-Luc Ponty, and Chick Corea with his Elektrik Band. Complete information on the guitarist may be found at http://www.ejn.it/mus/s_hender.htm . In 1986 Henderson and Gary Willis founded the first edition of Tribal Tech, a fusion band who’s released eight albums since. More information about Tribal Tech may be found at http://home.earthlink.net/~scottkinsey/tribal.htm .

Alongside Henderson’s ferocious guitar and the fluid singing of Houston is the propulsive team of bassist Dave Carpenter and drummer Kirk Covington. The title track is a slow vocal blues with emotional guitar fills and an exciting interlude. The Bo Diddley beat of "Meter Maid" carries the singer’s tale of urban living with a comfortable feeling that makes the background pleasurable and the lyrics understandable. There are places on the album, however, where the lyrics’ meaning may seem offensive to someone who’s never had a serious long-term relationship. The horns only appear on "Dolemite." Carpenter and Covington rip off a genuine "Continuum" with support from Scott Kinsey at the organ and Henderson on acoustic guitar. The up-tempo "Harpoon" pushes the envelope with a syncopated New Orleans shuffle and exciting solos from Henderson & Pat O’Brien. The music is fun, and the artist is quite talented.

Track Listing

Dolemite; Tore Down House; Meter Maid; I Hate You; Gittar School; Xanax; Continuum; You Get Off On Me; Mocha; Harpoon; Same As You.

Personnel

Scott Henderson

guitar

Scott Henderson- guitar; Thelma Houston, Masta Edwards- vocals; Dave Carpenter- electric bass; Kirk Covington- drums; Scott Kinsey- keyboards; Albert Wing- alto sax, tenor sax, flute; Mike Nelson- tenor sax, baritone sax; Dan Fornero, Walt Fowler- trumpet; Eric Jorgenson- trombone; Pat O

Album information

Title: Tore Down House | Year Released: 1999 | Record Label: MESA/Bluemoon

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