Ballyhoo - Reviews
Press Release - "Empty Child"
If this were a normal press release churned out by an entertainment PR firm or record label marketing department, two things would happen. The copywriter would seize on this band’s name – Forrest of Henry Chester – and riff about the music having the evocative qualities of an ancient sylvan glade where autumn hares and wizardry students frolic!
Or, the copywriter would go to her or his boss and angrily say, “Why do I always get bands with names like ‘Forrest of Henry Chester’? Who was Henry Chester and didn’t whomever named a woodland after him know that “forest” only has one 'r'?”
None of that matters. Instead, settle in and have a listen to “Empty Child,” the first single from a trio of veterans from the estimable Dallas music scene. Forrest of Henry Chester -- Corky Ray, Steve Powell and Ernie Myers -- are fans of the sort of melodic, sophisticated pop music honed by folks from Harry Nilsson and Badfinger to Neil Finn and Squeeze. Call it nostalgic if you want – but this sort of thoughtful songwriting has never gone away.
In “Empty Child,” Forrest of Henry Chester add a fresh take on the concept of sardonic commentary through hooky melody. It’s not exactly a hummable lament but more a hummable sonic warning. A soundtrack, if you will, to Life in America, 2020.
And this is the point where the record company hack runs back into the boss’s office and cries, “Hey, wait! I listened to this Forrest of Henry Chester stuff. These guys are freakin’ outstanding! Even if they can’t spell ‘forest.’”
Forrest of Henry Chester: More to come …
Rick Koster, author of "Texas Music"
I Know Better Than You!
An audiophilic-tinged blog by: Franklin DuBard Bromhead
8 - January - 2021
In “The Dark Times” -- long before a daring, fourth guitar chord was introduced to the original three -- a heretofore-neglected musical sapling with bold intentions and a storied pedigree, forced its way up through the tangled, discordant underbrush of soundchasing undesirables to bask in the nurturing light of the trifold sun of Western (not as in “Country”) Music: Melody, Harmony and Rhythm.
My deliciously discerning homies -- I give you -- Forrest of Henry Chester.
An interesting, if not odd, moniker for a band to be sure -- but Lordy! -- what a fantastic triumvirate of seasoned songsmiths.
Steve Powell, Corky Ray and Ernie Myers hail from The Lone Star State (Dallas specifically), but these ain’t red dirt, gun rack-licking, brain-dead galoots -- writing chewing tobacco love ballads about drunken tarts. Oh, no!
Think Neil Finn, Difford and Tilbrook… even Sir Paul comes to mind.
Hold on… I know what you’re saying out there. If they’re that good, why do you have to compare them to intelligent pop-rock royalty? Let them sink or swim on their own merits.
To that I say -- F*** Off! This is my blog. Get your own, bitches!
Anyway, FoHC’s new single “A Softer Landing” (brilliantly sung by Ray BTW) is a wonderful mix of mysterioso lyrics and memorable instrumentation. The bass line in the verses is infectious and reminds me of something the aforementioned Macca might have offered in the Yoko-superglued-to-John’s-shoulder days.
I was able to coax, Swiss Army Knife (vocals/bass/guitar/keys/engineer/producer/cat wrangler) member -- Powell -- into letting me hear several more of their upcoming tunes.
Wow! They did not disappoint.
I highly suggest you check out (my greatest new find in quite some time) –
Forrest of Henry Chester – for yourselves.
forrestofhenrychester.com
And remember… I Know Better Than You!
FDB
Das Saxony Prüfer
Salzgitter – Lower Saxony, Germany
31 - October - 2020
(note: translated from German)
Forrest of Henry Chester are an American combo from Dallus, Texas. They are not horse cowboys, however and evidenced by the words of their 1st single “Empty Child” they is not große Fans of President Trump neither.
The song has strong vocals and fine production of instruments including even Mellotron. This does not surprise no one for Ernie Myers and Steve Powell are two musicians in the great ensemble Hands. Well known in progrock circles for decades past.
I toast with my large beer on this Halloween to these guys from The Lone Star Staat. This is a good song and should fare well in the USA. It’s catchy and has depth for miles.
I only ask the question why wait so long now to release the commentary on the irritating pork man? The National USA Election is coming very soon. This should be an anthem for his losing.
Sample this exquisite chorus:
Don’t slip on your way up The Twelve-step Plan For Liars
Trumpeting your arrival so vile
Self-aggrandizement is wholesale
The hubris boys gone wild
Hocus pocus, no substance
Denial
This is so much truth.
With my whole heart I recommend this gold nugget and very much look forward to future examples from Forrest of Henry Chester to be sure!
Find FoHC at forrestofhenrychester.com.
Happy Halloween!
Arts Writer – Marco Müller
A Musical Blog By: Trisha Castrato
In our sights: Forrest of Henry Chester
December 26, 2020
Forrest of Henry Chester is a 3-piece pop/rock/alt outfit based out of Dallas, Texas.
Their 2nd single - “A Softer Landing” - is set for digital release sometime in January 2021.
I caught up with composer/vocalist/guitarist - Robert “Corky” Ray at his Quarter Horse ranch in Gun Barrel City (Only in Texas!) -- located about 50 miles southeast of where our 35th president’s brain went missing way back when in Big D.
Redeeming factoid: They do have excellent Tex-Mex there.
TC - So, Mr. Ray…
RR - Corky.
TC - Okay, Corky it is. I love, love, love FoHC’s latest offering and I’ve listened to “A Softer Landing” at least a dozen times. Frankly, I haven’t got a clue what the song is about. Perhaps you could enlighten us all as to its meaning?
RR – I personally never reveal what a given song is actually about. I prefer to let the listener interpret the lyrics for themselves.
TC - I see. Can you at least let us in on who Winston is? The obvious jump would be to Churchill. Or are you an R.J. Reynolds fan? (Winston tastes good, like a cigarette should.)
RR – It’s a nod to John Winston Lennon.
TC - Should I know that name?
RR - You’re kidding, right?
TC - Duh. My Gran-Gran was a huge fan of The Beatles.
I’m afraid that still doesn’t help me decipher what ASL’s about -- but what a catchy-ass tune! It’s like 10cc and Death Cab For Cutie meet for pizza Napoletana and Barley wine at a funky little bistro tucked away in the Green Mountains of Vermont on a sun-drenched Tuesday afternoon in late July. Tuesday Afternoon -- get it?
RR - Yeah. The Moody Blues. Do you have a lot of older readers?
TC – Age is but a state of mind in my book.
RR – Will that be out in paperback soon?
TC - That’s funny, Corkster. May I call you that?
RR - No.
TC - Moving on. Now, are you the primary singer-songwriter for the trio?
RR - No. All three of us sing lead and we all compose -- separately, and collectively -- the latter being the case for “A Softer Landing.”
TC - How do y’all choose who gets to sing a particular song?
RR - Chess tournament. After each move we all drink a shot of Jägermeister. First person to throw up or beat the other two -- goes to the head of the class.
TC - Me thinks someone’s pulling my leg.
RR - Maybe it’s sciatica.
TC - Ha, Ha. Do y’all have plans to put out a full album in the future? Hopefully vinyl -- I just love the smell of synthetic resin.
RR - That’s definitely a high probability. We’re going to release a few more singles first, then we’ll see what happens from there.
TC - That’s lit! I’ll be looking forward to it fo’ sure. Well, tick-tick-tick. I have oodles and oodles of Gucci questions left, but I endeavor to keep the wordage around here to a minimum. Most people - including moi - have limited attention spans these days. Thank you so much for your time, Corky -- and say hello to the horsies for me.
RR - Of course -- and thank you, Trisha. It was a stone, cold groove.
There you have it my beautiful peeps. Another Mellifluous Meanderings semi-exclusive.
You can hear Forrest of Henry Chester’s “A Softer Landing” as well as their 1st single - “Empty Child” - at Bandcamp and myriad other locations.
5 out of 5 high-flying notes. Enjoy!
Next week -- a review of Photos of Senators’ (a veteran rock band from Lansing, Michigan) new release – “Lemurs Stole My Barber Pole.”
Stay safe everybody.
Ciao!
Trisha C.