Search - Harry James :: Soft Lights Sweet Trumpet: One Night Stand

The Two Sides of Harry James

Robert Usher | Florida | 12/24/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Harry's Columbia studio recordings of the early fifties were no doubt influenced (victimized might be more appropriate) by the dominating presence of Columbia A&R man Mitch Miller -- the "sing-along" guru who almost ruined Frank Sinatra's recording career, was responsible for much of the cornball schlock that filled the radio airwaves at the time, and who, as a consequence (in my estimation), probably did more to promote the rise of rock and roll than any other single individual. In "Soft Lights", we are (no doubt at the behest if not the insistence of Miller) presented with a liberal dose of the schmaltzy ballad style for which Harry James would forever be scorned by jazz critics. Contrast this with "One Night Stand", an exciting live performance that illustrates the true dynamism that was Harry James and his band. Just listen to the fire and passion of the James horn in "Feet Draggin Blues". Or the warm, passionate (no schmaltz here) "You Go To My Head". Or Harry (on bongos, no less) in "Mam Bongo". For a change of pace, dig the brilliant accordion solo in "Flight of the Bumblebee" (Lawrence Welk need not apply). Great stuff. Alas, this CD rates no more than three stars due to the inclusion of "Soft Lights Sweet Trumpet". Had it instead been coupled with "Live At Hollywood Palladium" (another exciting live performance available on another CD that is also sadly coupled with a schlock studio session), it would have rated 10 stars!!!"