Joe Henry really doesn't need an introduction, but here's one anyway. He's among the finest songwriters of his generation with more than a handful of fantastic solo albums to his name, and he's produced more career-defining records than you or Phil Spector could possibly wave a stick at. The list of people who have sought out his distinct organic and handcrafted production sound, often created in the intimacy of his basement studio in Pasadena, reads like a who's-who of jazz, country, folk and Americana legends, and include Solomon Burke, Rodney Crowell, Aimee Mann, Elvis Costello and Ramblin' Jack Elliott - to name but a few. So how's that for an introduction?!

In this exclusive interview, Americana UK finally gets the chance to speak to one of our biggest heroes about his new album, Reverie, why his own alt.country days might be over and done with, and how his very famous sister-in-law almost changed everything.