Ella Henderson Keeps the British Invasion Alive With Debut Album

Ella Henderson won a lot of sympathy, if not the vote, on the 9th season of UK show “X-Factor” in 2012. She was booted during week seven. But her career has been on an indomitable rise since then and she’s about to take America by storm.

She made her U.S. debut on NBC’s “Today” show on Oct. 29, performing her hit song “Ghost” and just stunned us.

She released her first album, Chapter One, on Oct. 13 and it debuted at No. 1 in the UK. It also charted in nine other countries, but not in the United States.

Even so, I immediately added it to my Top 5 albums of the year. The video for “Ghost,” Ella’s lead single, has been viewed more than 28 million times on YouTube, which puts her in an elite group of artists that includes another YouTube phenom, Justin Bieber.

We’ve written a lot over this past few years about the number of brilliant Brit-pop singers that have arrived in America as part of the second “British Invasion.”

They include the late Amy Winehouse, Florence Welch, Jessie J, Emeli Sande, Leona Lewis, Ellie Goulding, Duffy, and Adele.

Now comes Henderson, who is only two months shy of her 19th birthday. And, yes, she’s that good. She has a voice and a style that is way beyond her years.

In her biggest exposure to date, she ended in sixth place on “X-Factor.” Host Dermot O’Leary called Henderson’s exit “one of the biggest shocks” ever on the show. Producer Simon Cowell immediately signed her to his label Syco Music.

Simon pulled out all the stops for her debut album. Ella co-wrote the songs in collaboration with such powerhouses as Babyface, Al Shux (Alicia Keys) and Salaam Remi (Winehouse).

“There are lots of times I can’t believe what’s happening to me, but when it comes to my music I just completely found myself. This is the album I always wanted to make,” she said.

One track, called “Mirror Man,” (think Smokey Robinson) is a combination of Adele, Dusty Springfield and Duffy. It’s a total home run.

With the line, “Wish I could love you better than a mirror can,” the track is splendidly irresistible, and one of the best songs we’ve heard this year. I believe it’d make a dynamite club track, too.

Described as honest, self-assured, vocally astonishing and unmistakably special, she’s already attracted such fans as Adele, Lily Allen, Nick Grimshaw and Cher, along with actress Chloë Grace Moretz.

Poised, confident, commanding, Ella’s made a powerhouse debut. The album is a must-have for sure! Check out her video for “Ghost.”

RIP Jack Bruce, Iconic Bassist for 60’s Supergroup Cream

With the untimely passing of bassist Jack Bruce, I took another listen to his brilliant album Silver Rails, released earlier this year. It is a stunningly suitable and final tribute to him. He rocked audiences during his tenure in Cream, but trained originally as a cellist. His music personified ’60s rock and roll. A great, great loss.

Names in the News

Debby Campbell, Mike McCann, Lee Jeske, Chris Gilman, Brian Moss, Bruce Bozzi, Jr., Kelly Crigger, Brad LeBeau, Cory Robbins, Dave Novick, Donnie Kehr, Cori Gardner, Peter Abraham, Vicor Kastel, Bob Hartz, Eppy, Tom Silverman, David Salidor, Keith Girard, Andre Saffir, Brad Waddell, Georgia Dolenz, Chip