Alex Henley – Slow Burning
Self-Released
10 tracks/41 minutes
Alex Henley is a Texas based musician who appears here with nine originals and one cover song. He wrote the songs over the years, from age 11 to just this year in 2025; they are an expression of his musical journey. His mix of soul, blues, funk and a little rock make his music interesting and enjoyable. This is my first time hearing him and I liked what I heard.
Henley opens with a rousing instrumental entitled “First Sight.” He handles guitar, bass and the drum and horn programming and Vince Wiley is on drums. It’s kind of like early Chicago meets Austin, Texas.
Greg Butler handles drums and Hamilton Nabors the bass on “So Excited.” A funky groove and cool guitar works to help make this cut a winner.
The same crew as the first cut work the next two tracks. “”Nothing To Say” and “Big Talker” are funk filled. The former is a driving tune and the send is a head bopping, soulful cut. Both are cool!
“Working Sideways” adds Marc Lionetti on guitar, Wiley on organ, Nabors on bass and Jean-Christophe on organ. The guitars and piano really shine as Henley sings for this straight up and romping blues.
Next is “What A Day” with Leonetti again joining on guitar, Yaume Landry on bass, Nora Germain on violin, Wiley on keys and drums are arranged by Henley. The pace slows down here as the violin introduces the cut and Henley croons to us. Jazzy and slick, we see another side of Alex here. The guitar is laid back, the keys help set and sell the mood, and the violin is really a slickest part of the musical action here, grabbing at the listener’s emotions.
The mix is the same as the starting cut again for “It’s Be All Right.” More funk, more soul and just another great cut. Thoughtful guitar work by Henley is featured here.
The title track has Henley and Ady Hernandez on guitars and Nabors and Butler return to support. Henley arranges the horn programming. Big guitar solos and nice horn accompanying arrangements make this song special. It’s a dreamy cut with a heady feel to the slow funk delivery.
“Stand” is Henley, Butler and Nabors on this mid-tempo rocking and soulful number. The guitar solos and work throughout are very nicely done.
The final track is the only one Henley did not pen. “If I Could Only Fly” is a Blaze Foley song that Merle Haggard made famous. Henley goes solo and acoustic and delivers a passionate and moving performance. The hints of added backing accompaniment help set the mood and enhance the overall feeling. Well done!
Austin, Texas is Henley’s base of operations. I hope he goes on the road and offers us opportunities to see him live. His work producing, writing, arranging and performing on his guitar, bass and electronics really interests me and I hope I get a chance to see and hear him on stage. I recommend this album for blues lovers looking for a fresh and cool sound!
