Search - Gene Harris :: Black & Blue

"marvel at Gene Harris music, as natural as sunshine"

J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 02/03/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Now to many people Gene Harris' style varies - Hard-Bop, Fusion, Soul-Jazz, but no one, and I mean no one can play the "Blues" better than this man. Harris is known to jazz aficionados, and to his peers, as one of the "Greatest Blues Pianists in the World", and his fame is finally catching up with his virtuosity. And critic Joe Morgenstern adds - "I never cease to marvel at the joyous might of Gene Harris' music."Following this mans career - Gene Harris & The Four Sounds, Gene Harris & The Three Sounds, Gene Harris & the Philip Morris Super Band, Gene Harris All-Star Big Band, Gene Harris Trio and now, the Gene Harris Quartet...all have that driving blues-force we've come to love and enjoy. Harris strived for perfection, always knew exactly who he was and what he was doing in this life. His combination of ineffable delicacy and inexorable power became richer and fuller with each day, like natural sunshine, just keeps shining through.With gifted accomplices like Ron Eschete (guitar), Luther Hughes (bass) and Harold Jones (drums), Gene sets out free as a bird with arrangements that send you reeling, as the quartet just keeps moving on filling in the gaps, great stirring performances all around.Of course there are stand outs - "THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE" the whole group swings, swings and then swings some more..."NOBODY KNOWS YOU WHEN YOU'RE DOWN AND OUT", a Jimmy Cox tune brings out some gospel-soul that will lift your spirits, inspirational..."BLUE BOSSA" has the rhythm section working over-time, but Gene knows what needs to be done..."WILL YOU STILL BE MINE", almost ten minutes in length, Harris takes the group into orbit and steers them into a classic performance.The highlight is - "BLACK AND BLUE", the great "Fats" Waller tune, recorded several times by Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong with clever and impassioned lyrics has become a classic, but listen to this slow-tempo arrangement by Harris, blues pours from a cup of love and understanding, sending a message that is LOUD AND CLEAR. Total Time: 62:22 on 10 Tracks...Concord Jazz CCD-4482...(1991)"

Gene "Swing" Harris Does It Again!

hurstcastle@webtv.net John Hurst | San Diego,Ca. | 02/08/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Gene Harris, the swinging, gentle giant has once again put together a wonderful quartet with Ron Eschete on guitar, Luther Hughes on bass and Harold Jones on drums. This group makes me smile when I hear them. Their rendition of "Blue Bossa" should be re-named "Swing Bossa".It's GREAT! If I was only allowed to have a handful of CD's, this would be one of them."

Gene Harris at his best

S. Gnatz | Chicago | 06/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I admit it, I'm a huge Gene Harris fan. I'm working on collecting all of his 89 (or so) recordings including the Japanese imports. But, without a doubt, Black and Blue is Gene Harris at his finest. You can put this album on and listen from start to finish and feel great the whole way through. If you could only buy one Gene Harris album, this is it."