[.ca] Live at Otter Crest

Gone But Not Forgotten:
The blessing of cd's is that every once in a while some really special stuff emerges, long buried in a vault somewhere, perhaps not deemed fit for vinyl or tape. The curse, of course, is that companies are now able to resurrect some genuine drek and push it on an unsuspecting public--hungry for more Miles, more Coltrane, more Getz, etc. Gene Harris' Live at Otter Crest is buried treasure. Somehow this artist never quite got his due, laboring in the shadows cast by McCoy Tyner, Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, even the wonderful Red Garland. But Gene Harris was (and is) the real deal. His robust playing is drenched in blues, gospel, some swing, and, of course, soul. You can hardly go wrong by dipping anywhere into Concord's catalogue of Harris' recordings. But Otter Crest is something special. Harris languished for years in semi-retirement, and this cd catches him just before he came back with a vengeance. These cuts are not timid babysteps back into jazz. No, Harris, along with Jimmie Smnith on drums and John Heard on bass, explodes back onto the scene. He's tender--but not mushy--on "My Foolish Heart," swinging on "Shiny Stockings," and rolls out the blues on "A Little Blues There." Oh, and with his 11-plus minute treatment of "Battle Hymn of the Republic" Harris seems to have more than jazz on his mind. Yes, this cut swings, but this song carries its own subtext, and Harris and his audience seem more than aware of it. Almost every time you see a picture of Harris--with The Three Sounds, with his trio with Ray Brown, or with any group that he fronted--the man seems to be smiling. And why not? Gene Harris had a great first act, a decade-long intermission, and then an exhilarating second act. Miss him? Of course. But I can always picture that smile. And of the dozen or so recordings of his in my collection--well, every one makes me smile. And makes me grateful for the great man.

GENE HARRIS - - - live with john heard, jimmy smith:
Gene Harris is simply a master and if you love to here blues and hard-swinging jazz, then LIVE AT OTTER CREST is what you want. The way the live recording gives Gene, Jimmy, and John all potent energy in their playing will make you play this CD again and again. This is also a rare chance to hear Gene Harris imbetween his time with the three sounds and his comeback with ray brown. The bottom line is that any album with Gene Harris will make you swing.

"this is a major event ~ finally released from 1981":
Always glad to see something from the early '80s in the world of jazz ~ especially when its a group of highly talented musicians ~ Jimmie Smith (drums), John Heard (bass) and led by the man himself, Gene Harris at the piano. And a lot of piano he can play ~ topping the list is blues, followed by jazz, soul and blends of rocking gospel. Being a big fan was delighted to see this CD come my way ~ originality and his own style of playing, even though his early heros were Fats Waller and Art Tatum, not bad company to be in. A lot of credit goes to ~ Glen Barros & John Burk (executive producers) and to Concord Jazz for having the insight to go back in the archives for this one ~ and once again getting a big thrill in hearing this for the first time ~ another chapter from this great musician and wonderful human being ~ GENE HARRIS! Also available on Concord Jazz from Gene Harris ~ "The Best Of The Concord Years-Gene Harris" (CCD2-4930-2) ~ "Alley Cats" (CCD-4859-2) ~ "In His Hands" (CCD-4785-2) ~ "It's Real Soul" (CCD-4692) ~ "Black and Blue" (CCD-4482) ~ "At Last" (CCD-4434) ~ "Listen Here" (CCD-4385), featuring jazz ~ just the way you like it. Total Time: 47:46 on 6 Tracks...Concord Jazz CCD-4945-2...(2001)

"Live at Otter Crest" by Gene Harris:
For anyone thirsty for more un-rehashed Gene Harris, who sadly passed away in January 2000, this 1981 live performance will be welcome! The five standards are done with his usual originality, and the one original piece, "A Little Blues There", is long (11-1/2 minutes) and full of Gene's trademark phrasing. His version of the old standard "Sweet Lorraine" has one of the most technically alive (and at the same time melodic) endings since Erroll Garner ..... the dynamics (and the obvious physical strength necessary to carry it off) which were Gene's forté are especially evident in that section. "Battle Hymn of the Republic" is different enough from the Three Sounds and the '90s versions to show the bridge between the Age of the Trio ('50s and '60s) and the "post-retirement" Gene Harris, brought back by Ray Brown in the late '80s. I like this "bridge" trio just fine. On the negative side, the quality of the recording leaves a little to be desired, but, then again, it WAS 1981, and it WAS live. His drummer is a little too predominant at times (aren't all drummers if you let 'em?), but I like him nonetheless. Please start bugging Concord Records to find some more previously unreleased Gene Harris stuff in their archives - there has to be more!

• Sweet Lorraine
• My Foolish Heart
• Little Blues There
• Battle Hymn of the Republic
• Shiny Stockings
• Cute