Henri Herbert – Get It While It’s Hot
HH Records
12 Tracks – 42 minutes
Henri Herbert was born in France, raised in England, and now is a permanent resident of the United States having moved to Austin, Texas. At an early age, the young pianist became fascinated with Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, and Pete Johnson. That fascination has led him to become one of the premiere boogie-woogie and rock pianists in the world having toured all over the world including in front of the Royal Family of Monaco and with concerts in Switzerland, Quebec City, London and in festivals and clubs all over the US including residency in an Austin club. In fact, a video made of him playing the song “Gettin’ on Down” on the public piano in London’s Pancras Train Station has been viewed by 73 million people on YouTube. The video is a regular part of his live performances. He has worked as a session performer for many bands including Kim Wilson, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Chuck Leavell, Charlie Sexton, Nick Lowe and many others.
This is his eighth solo album release and his first full band release. Henri performs all vocals in addition to playing the piano. He is accompanied by guitarists Tjarko Jeen, Austin John, and Jim Jones; bassists Josh Williams and Luca Chiappara; and drummers Dino Malo and Jerry Pentacost on various cuts. The album consists of ten original songs and two covers.
The album opens with “Cold City”, a song he defines as an autobiographical tale of his journey as a musician. He notes that as he started “I ain’t got no money, ain’t got no friends”. “Hold your head up high, low is all you know.” He says he headlined big stages and turned around and had to wash dishes at the same venue. He had “nothing left to give, nothing left to lose” as he moved “here on a dream” to the US. He comes out with a pounding piano and a solid rock beat that would have fit Jerry Lee Lewis. He says the song is not meant to be pessimistic, but rather is encouragement for perseverance and states that “if you have to entertain people three hours multiple times a day, you get good or you leave”.
“Guilty Pleasures” keeps the rock going as he notes they are things “you just try to justify when you want to get high”. Next, he realizes you “Can’t get “Nothing Free” with a solid boogie-woogie hook. He notes that “I am “Bad”, don’t mean bad as in good, but I mean bad as in bad” Some strong guitar powers alongside of Henri’s piano.
“I Got the Fury” continues the all-out rock assault and only kicks things up another notch. He says,” I am too drunk to get behind a driving wheel” and the fury “Is burning me up”. “Texas Boogie” is a straight up rocking boogie with a biographical touch as recites, “I want to tell you a story about the tricks my trade, tell you a story of how I got it made” ” I want to tell you about the boogie, makes you feel so good.”
He slows things down with a smooth R&B noting that she is “Just as “Bad as Me”. You “run all over town, never let me do those things you like to do”. and like to pretend “You are better than the rest”. “Blood From a Stone” kicks thing back up as he declares, “Well I can’t stop you wanting, you just got to dream”. Jimi Hendrix’s 1967 “Fire” with its lyrics warning “Just don’t play with me, and you want get burned” and notes ” I have only one burnin’ desire, let me stand next to your fire”. His piano gives a shift to the song away from the guitar powered original.
He next declares, “She is “Poison”. “When we kiss, it burns me up…I can’t get enough” as he moves back into full Jerry Lee Lewis mode. Snooks Eaglin’s 1961 “If I Could” is a definite throwback song to that period. He finishes the album in rollicking fashion as he says, “I don’t care for people “Talkin’ Trash”.
For this album, most songs are definitely taking a modern approach to the sound of Jerry Lee Lewis, with pounding ivory and slightly shouted vocals. The cover shows a burning piano that definitely is indicative of the sound you hear on the album and the declaration of “Get It While It’s Hot”, which offers both an opportunity to grab onto this hot act, but also indicates he understands that fame and success can be fleeting, and he is trying to strike while the opportunity exists.
