Musical Appearances

Genghis Cohen
July 24, 2004

Gregg Lee Henry's Summer show of 2004 had lots of old favorites interspersed with a goodly amount of new material. He lead off with a great audience favorite - "Ain't Nothin' to It" - and then quickly introduced John Lathan (a last minute addition to the show) for a trio of songs, including their over-the-top tribute to Jimmy Swaggart "God TV" and one new song.

John's splashy style required a complete change of pace, which Gregg immediately provided with his painfully romantic ode to love in Paris, "Where Are You Now?"  Always a man to acquaint himself with both sides of any situation, he followed this searing ballad with his riotous ode to Parisian attitudes toward Americans: "Je Suis Americain".

Bruce Greenwood was then introduced, as "a great friend, a great musician and a great actor". Bruce bounded up to the stage and joined his buddy for a rollicking rendition of "You the One", followed by the quieter and more insightful "Something for the Pain".  And then something new called either "Lady's Choice" or "Baby, You Win!"

One of Gregg's most stirring songs was one he's composing for a projected musical he hopes to produce in 2005.  The character - he explained - is a cleaning woman, grabbing her moment to reminisce. It was delivered with painful honesty by our man of many moods.

To conclude the evening Gregg introduced the "song that's changed my life" - his hit recording of "The Back of Your Hand" which was recorded by Dwight Yoakam. And to sing it with him he introduced "the man who made it all possible - the guy who put it all together - Mr. Bruce Greenwood!"  And as Bruce bounded back up to the stage he said quickly, "I just watched it all happen, man!" and then joined Gregg to deliver the hit single in particularly dynamic style.

Although the evening was officially over, the audience insisted on its encore, and Gregg came back out, but he refused to come out alone. Calling Bruce back onstage, the two close friends brought the house down with a memorably exciting performance of "A Bite of Yours".  Bruce had a bit of trouble not laughing at all Gregg's wonderful ad libs, but it made for a hilarious and uplifting end to a another exhilarating night with Gregg Henry.

Genghis Cohen Fan Report