Search - Barry Harris :: Newer Than New

Good But Not Very "New"

Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 02/09/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Barry Harris is probably most widely recognized in jazz circles as the pianist from Lee Morgan's famous Blue Note album The Sidewinder, but he also made dozens of albums as a leader, most often in a trio setting. One of the rare occasions when he expanded his lineup was on "Newer Than New," recorded on September 28, 1961. This album marked the debut of both frontline players -- trumpeter Lonnie Hillyer and alto saxophonist Charles McPherson, the latter of whom carved out a nice little jazz career for himself in the coming years. Completing the quintet is Ernie Farrow on bass and Clifford Jarvis on drums, and together they perform four Harris originals and four standards. The tunes range from hard bop and a couple of latin-tinged numbers to classic bebop, and while they are performed well, they are certainly not "Newer Than New," or any manner of cutting edge for that matter, as the cover art attempts to convey. Despite this, it is a solid session from an all too often overlooked player."

Take away his sticks for a month

Matthew Watters | Vietnam | 11/15/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Mr Richman's remarks about this record are generally on-the-money, if a bit too forgiving. To my ears, the real star here is trumpet player Lonnie Hillyer, who plays with great fluidity and command, making altoist Charles McPherson sound almost tentative by comparison. The two Mingus alumni nevertheless make a fine front line, and I'd be happy to hear them again. It's the backfield that causes this session to falter, with Harris far less soulful and swinging than he had been on prior sessions with Cannonball Adderley or Harold Land or others, and drummer Clifford Jarvis nearly driving the whole affair into the ditch with a busy, undisciplined performance that sounds here-and-there like a guy slapping on cardboard boxes. Unforgiveable."