Henry's Dream
Encyclopedia
Henry's Dream is the seventh album released by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
, in spring 1992. There are possible references to John Berryman's
series of poems The Dream Songs, which logs the dreams of the protagonist Henry. This album remains a big favourite amongst Bad Seeds fans, although Nick Cave himself was reportedly unhappy with the production by David Briggs
. Briggs preferred a "live-in-the-studio" method he had used with Neil Young
. This led to Cave and Mick Harvey re-mixing the album, and ultimately to the Live Seeds
recordings, as Cave wanted the songs "done justice".
It was the first album to feature long-standing members Martyn P. Casey
(bass) and Conway Savage
(piano, organ), both Australian. The latter is a singer-songwriter in his own right and has contributed distinctive backing vocals to a handful of Bad Seeds songs; here he and Cave deliver a rousing duet in the chorus of 'When I First Came To Town'. The album is considered by some to have a vague "concept", i.e. song narratives overlapping and/or sharing characters.
The album's artwork was designed by Anton Corbijn
.
The album was remastered and reissued on March 29, 2010 as a collector's edition CD/DVD set.
's book The Lives of the Saints
"When I First Came to Town" is based partly on Karen Dalton
's recording of the traditional song "Katy Cruel". Dalton's version was later issued on Original Seeds
Vol. 1.
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds are an Australian alternative rock band, formed in Melbourne in 1983. The band is fronted by Nick Cave and has featured international personnel throughout their career.-Formation and early releases :...
, in spring 1992. There are possible references to John Berryman's
John Berryman
John Allyn Berryman was an American poet and scholar, born in McAlester, Oklahoma. He was a major figure in American poetry in the second half of the 20th century and was considered a key figure in the Confessional school of poetry...
series of poems The Dream Songs, which logs the dreams of the protagonist Henry. This album remains a big favourite amongst Bad Seeds fans, although Nick Cave himself was reportedly unhappy with the production by David Briggs
David Briggs (producer)
David Briggs was an American record producer best known for his work with Neil Young and his band Crazy Horse. He is noted for his eclectic imagination and style.-Early life:David Briggs was born in Douglas, Wyoming...
. Briggs preferred a "live-in-the-studio" method he had used with Neil Young
Neil Young
Neil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
. This led to Cave and Mick Harvey re-mixing the album, and ultimately to the Live Seeds
Live Seeds
Live Seeds is the first official live Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds album, including the never-studio-recorded "Plain Gold Ring", a cover of a Nina Simone song...
recordings, as Cave wanted the songs "done justice".
It was the first album to feature long-standing members Martyn P. Casey
Martyn P. Casey
Martyn Paul Casey is an English-born Australian rock bass guitarist. He had been a member of The Triffids, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and Grinderman. Casey plays either his Fender Precision Bass or Fender Jazz Bass.-Biography:...
(bass) and Conway Savage
Conway Savage
Conway Savage is an Australian rock musician best known as pianist/organist/backing vocalist for Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds....
(piano, organ), both Australian. The latter is a singer-songwriter in his own right and has contributed distinctive backing vocals to a handful of Bad Seeds songs; here he and Cave deliver a rousing duet in the chorus of 'When I First Came To Town'. The album is considered by some to have a vague "concept", i.e. song narratives overlapping and/or sharing characters.
The album's artwork was designed by Anton Corbijn
Anton Corbijn
Anton Corbijn is a Dutch photographer, music video and film director. He is the creative director behind the visual output of Depeche Mode and U2, having handled the principal promotion and sleeve photography for both for more than a decade...
.
The album was remastered and reissued on March 29, 2010 as a collector's edition CD/DVD set.
Track listing
All tracks composed by Nick Cave.- "Papa Won't Leave You, Henry" – 5:43
- "I Had a Dream, Joe" – 3:42
- Mick Harvey – Organ
- "Straight to You" – 4:35
- Mick Harvey – Drums, Extra Piano, Organ
- "Brother, My Cup Is Empty" – 3:02
- Mick Harvey – Organ
- "Christina the AstonishingChristina the AstonishingChristina the Astonishing , also known as Christina Mirabilis, was a Christian holy-woman born in Brustem in 1150. She is sometimes considered a saint. Christina is as much remembered for her faith as for her numerous and violent fits of ecstasy. Her memorial day is 24 July.- Life :Born a peasant,...
" – 4:50- Nick Cave – Organ
- Mick Harvey – Vibes, Percussion
- Thomas Wydler – Congas
- "When I First Came to Town" – 5:21
- Nick Cave – Harmonica
- Conway Savage – Other vocals
- "John Finn's Wife" – 5:13
- Mick Harvey – Organ
- "Loom of the Land" – 5:07
- Nick Cave – Piano, Organ
- Conway Savage – Fender Rhodes
- "Jack the RipperJack the Ripper"Jack the Ripper" is the best-known name given to an unidentified serial killer who was active in the largely impoverished areas in and around the Whitechapel district of London in 1888. The name originated in a letter, written by someone claiming to be the murderer, that was disseminated in the...
" – 3:45
The songs
"Christina the Astonishing" – Cave's lyrics are based upon an entry in Alban ButlerAlban Butler
Alban Butler , English Roman Catholic priest and hagiographer, was born at Appletree, Northamptonshire.He was educated at the English College, Douai, where on his ordination to the priesthood in 1735 he held successively the chairs of philosophy and divinity...
's book The Lives of the Saints
"When I First Came to Town" is based partly on Karen Dalton
Karen Dalton
Karen J. Dalton was an American folk blues singer and banjo player associated with the early 1960s Greenwich Village folk music scene, particularly with Fred Neil and the Holy Modal Rounders as well as Bob Dylan.-Biography:Dalton, whose heritage was Cherokee, was born Karen J. Cariker in Enid,...
's recording of the traditional song "Katy Cruel". Dalton's version was later issued on Original Seeds
Original Seeds
Original Seeds: Songs that inspired Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds are two compilation CDs. Volume one was issued in 1998, Volume two in 2004, initially on the Rubber Records label in Australia, but also in the U.K....
Vol. 1.
Singles
- "Straight to You" / "Jack the Ripper" (MUTE 140) (March 30, 1992)
- b/w: "Blue Bird"
- "I Had a Dream, Joe" (MUTE 148) (August 31, 1992)
- b/w: "The Carny" (Live in Amsterdam) / "The Mercy Seat" (Live in Amsterdam) / "The Ship Song" (Live in Amsterdam)
Personnel
- Nick CaveNick CaveNicholas Edward "Nick" Cave is an Australian musician, songwriter, author, screenwriter, and occasional film actor.He is best known for his work as a frontman of the critically acclaimed rock band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, established in 1984, a group known for its eclectic influences and...
– Vocals - Mick HarveyMick HarveyMichael John Harvey , is an Australian rock musician, composer, arranger and record producer. He is best known for his long-time collaboration with the singer and songwriter Nick Cave...
– Rhythm guitar - Blixa BargeldBlixa BargeldBlixa Bargeld is a composer, author, actor, singer, musician, performer and lecturer in a number of artistic fields...
– Guitar - Conway SavageConway SavageConway Savage is an Australian rock musician best known as pianist/organist/backing vocalist for Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds....
– Piano - Martyn P. CaseyMartyn P. CaseyMartyn Paul Casey is an English-born Australian rock bass guitarist. He had been a member of The Triffids, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and Grinderman. Casey plays either his Fender Precision Bass or Fender Jazz Bass.-Biography:...
– Bass - Thomas WydlerThomas WydlerThomas Wydler , is a Swiss musician best known for being a core member of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, of which he has been a drummer since 1985. Prior to joining them, he was a member of the experimental German band Die Haut. Wydler has been present on almost every Bad Seeds album, making his...
– Drums - Backing vocals – The Bad Seeds
- String arrangements by Mick Harvey and David Blumberg
- Cello – Dennis Karmazyn
- Violins – Bruce Dukov, Barbara Porter