Gabriel's Mother's Highway

Produced by Brian Cadd, and delicately too, this album has a beautiful clarity. Henri's voice is strong enough to get the message of his tender songs across, with acoustic backing. It must be one of the better local releases, Henri must be one of the better singers around Australia. Could notch up sales with those who are familiar with the singer. Gentle songs by Sydney Carter, Arlo Guthrie and the singer are featured.

Recorded locally, with Brian Cadd at the keyboards and also in charge of production, this is Franciscus Henri's album, who shows that his contemporary folk style has a strength to it and his voice an individual fillip that makes pleasant listening. Let's be even more positive — he makes very good listening. Included are compositions by Henri, S. Carter, Elton John and Arlo Guthrie, with some titles being Coming Or Going Away, Judas And Mary, Sixty Years On, Bitter Was The Night, and the attractive Green Like The Leaves.

Henri uses a gentle, deep voice, easily boss of the regular backing where the keyboard work of Brian Cadd and Nick Alexander are given the most prominence. Of the 10 songs, only two — Arlo Guthrie's title track and Elton John's Sixty Years On — are imports. Five others are by Sydney Carter, who has toured with Henri, who himself penned or had a hand in the remaining tracks.

Given the folk tradition of both Cadd and Henri, the album is surprisingly varied. Henri's voice is strong and easy. The best pointer to Henri's direction is the last song Friendship, his own writing, where at last a little electricity is added.