Search - Phil Harris :: Phil Harris - His Original & Greatest Hits

High Energy Entertainment!

Leanne Martin | Belleville, Illinois USA | 12/22/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I grew up listening to Phil Harris, as my parents were fans. I bought this CD for my old favorites, "Darktown Poker Club" & "44 Sycamore"; the latter was a pleasant surprise. The only lyrics I could remember was the chorus; I had forgotten how deliciously droll the verses are. "Never Trust A Woman" was a new one on me. Although not PC these days, I found it amusing nonetheless. The musical accompaniment will have the stuffiest conservative's toes tapping in spite of themselves. The recording/engineering is cleaner than I thought it would be, considering when this music was first recorded. Harris' personality shines through on every song. He is the jolly uncle every kid should have, the one who always raises the grown-up's eyebrows, but delights the young ones. This CD is just plain fun. If you're young at heart & enjoy big band swing music with a touch of humor in the lyrics, this CD is for you."

Big Ol' Bear Phil Harris

Jmark2001 | Florida | 12/13/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I had to laugh at the review below that complains about this album "proselytizing" because of the gospel songs on it. She must make it a habit to buy albums by singers she knows little about. I guess I need to start complaining about popular albums that contain secular attitudes and loose morals - after I have bought them!

I am quite fond of Phil Harris. He was a big lovable southern guy deeply proud of his southern Methodist roots. He started out as a drummer and went on to become the bandleader on the Jack Benny radio show. His great comedic timing made him a regular character on that show. His stage personality of the heavy drinking, womanizing, loophole finding, fun loving orchestra guy was a big hit with audiences. He went on to marry movie star Alice Faye. Everyone was sure the marriage of this rough guy to the glamourous star would end in a few months. It lasted until Faye died. Their radio show (easily available on ebay in mp3 format) was one of the funniest radio shows around and influenced the more sophisticated tv shows such as "The Dick Van Dyke" show. It is a great, still very funny show and well worth checking out. It ran for 6 years and got better each year that it was on. Writers loved writing for these two. Harris played every writer's dream of a lovable rascal.

Phil Harris went on to sing "The Bare Necessities" in Disney's "The Jungle Book". He continued to appear on tv until health problems took over.

And yes, he sang gospel songs - like a good southern boy, he sang them often and with all of his big warm heart."

Phil harris & greatest hits

john vrismo | Oroville, Ca. United States | 12/26/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"one of the greatest entertainers of the past. good to hear his music again on this great record."