Search - Harry Allen :: Here's to Zoot

Impressive and delightful

Bomojaz | South Central PA, USA | 05/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
Here's another fine Harry Allen CD, recorded in NYC in 1997, and featuring along with Harry on tenor, Dave McKenna (p) Michael Moore (b) and Jake Hanna (d). There are some interesting surprises here. Harry plays the verse to I COVER THE WATERFRONT slowly, and where you expect him to double the tempo, he doesn't, but keeps it slow. It makes for a different and pleasing approach. He does the same think on SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME, though this one might be taken just a tad too slowly. I CRIED FOR YOU is taken way up-tempo and features excellent brush work by Hanna. The most ambitious track is I'LL TAKE ROMANCE, done in waltz time, medium-slow at first; then comes an unaccompanied piano solo by McKenna in 4/4, followed by Harry back in 3/4 time and with the tempo doubled. It's an impressive performance. I REMEMBER YOU is played as a Bossa Nova, and THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT has a crisp, jaunty flavor to it. This is a most attractive CD that will not fail to delight Harry Allen fans."

Deserves to be heard.........

Stephen W. Mckenna | Pine Grove Mills, PA USA | 04/30/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Harry Allen -- Tenor/ Dave McKenna -- Piano/ Michael Moore -- Bass/ Jake Hanna -- Drums



Harry Allen is in supurb form in this wonderful 1997 salute to his "hero", Zoot Sims. Fact is, Harry's tenor is sounding more and more like Stan Getz. The group is tight (McKenna, Moore and Hanna all played with Zoot Sims and they excel here), and the solos and interplay (and the recording quality) are excellent. The tunes covered are:



I Cover The Waterfront/ Stars Fell On Alabama/ Spring Is Here/ I Cried For You/ Grooveyard/ I remember You/ Someone To Watch Over Me/ 9:20 Special/ The Way You Look Tonight/ All My Tomorrow/ I'll Take Romance/



Because it has only been issued in Japan, not too many people know about it and it is difficult to find. That's a shame, because it is a wonderful listen. Grab it if you get the chance."