Scar is the eighth studio album by Joe Henry, released in May 2001 on Mammoth Records. Co-produced by Craig Street, it marked another shift in direction for Henry's music, and a foray into the genres of jazz and soul music. The opening track is a homage to comedian Richard Pryor (whom the album is also dedicated to), and according to Henry's essay "The Ghost in the Song," he was "called by a vision" to collaborate with free jazz artist Ornette Coleman. Henry wrote:
Henry eventually convinced Coleman to record a solo for the track "Richard Pryor Addresses a Tearful Nation," and also contributed a reprise at the very end of the album as a hidden track. Henry discusses his interactions with Coleman at length as the last part of a 2016 interview., Steve Dawson, Music Makers and Soul Shakers Podcast, Episode 16 - Joe Henry (Part 2).
Another track of note is "Stop", a tango written by Henry. His wife, Melanie, sent an early demo of the track to her sister Madonna, who re-used the lyrics for "Don't Tell Me". Henry often quips during live gigs that "I recorded my version as a tango, and she recorded hers as a hit".
Lizz Wright recorded a jazzy take on "Stop" which she included in her 2005 release Dreaming Wide Awake, also an album produced by Craig Street and recorded by S. Husky Höskulds.
Track listing All songs written by Joe Henry, except where noted.
"Richard Pryor Addresses a Tearful Nation" – 6:21 "Stop" – 4:40 "Mean Flower" – 4:50 "Struck" – 5:24 "Rough and Tumble" – 4:53 "Lock and Key" – 4:46 "Nico Lost One Small Buddha" – 3:23 "Cold Enough to Cross" – 3:12 "Edgar Bergen" – 6:03 "Scar" / hidden track: "Richard Pryor Reprise" (Henry, Ornette Coleman) – 14:22
Personnel Joe Henry – vocals, keyboards, guitars, percussion Brad Mehldau – acoustic piano Marc Ribot – guitars Meshell Ndegeocello – bass David Piltch (as David Pilch) – bass Brian Blade – drums, percussion Abe Laboriel Jr. – drums Bobby Malach – reeds Ornette Coleman – alto saxophone solo
Orchestra (tracks 1, 4 & 9) Steven Barber – arrangements and conductor Sandra Park – concertmaster Bobby Malach – reeds Elizabeth Dyson and Gene Moye – cello Stacey Shames – harp Robert Rinehart – viola Sandra Park and Sharon Yamada – violin Eric Charleston – vibraphone, percussion
Production Joe Henry – producer Craig Street – producer, back cover booklet photography S. Husky Höskulds – recording, mixing Aaron Franz – assistant engineer Todd Parker – assistant engineer Adam Samuels – assistant engineer Greg Calbi – mastering at Sterling Sound (New York, NY) Caroline Sprinkle – production coordinator Anabel Sinn – designs Rosãngela Rennó – front cover photography Henry Diltz – photo of Richard Pryor (1968) Melanie Nissen – additional photography
References