Henry Gross [1972] Review by Joe Viglione https://www.allmusic.com/album/henry-gross-1972--mw0000844820
This is Henry Gross without the assistance of Cashman & West, in the pre-"Shannon" days, which gives a concise picture of the singer/songwriter prior to his flirting with fame. Gross' material is adequate, falling somewhere between Dan Fogelberg and Livingston Taylor, folksy music with the pop edge drummer Jim Keltner provides. "My Sunshine" and "Loving You-Loving Me" are nice enough, while "Joe" is a song of deep affection. "Morning Star" is a little more ambiguous with the "I had one too many lovers and I let the best one go" line. The artist borrows heavily from those who came before, no doubt part of playing all those covers in Sha Na Na, as George Harrison acoustics soak through the rhythms of "Joe." "Close My Eyes" is the hardest rocker, with the feel of a band Gross would open up for in the future, Aerosmith, while "Prayer for All" sounds like the artist was listening to John Lennon's "Julia." The album cover has a nice textured feel, and there is an insert with the lyrics, but the country-rock of "You'll Be Mine," despite the fine players, just can't get over the bar. With Sneaky Pete, Jim Keltner, and Spooner Oldham in on the festivities, the promise went unfulfilled. It's a good artifact and gets a passing grade. Nice background music.
