[.ca] Harry's Bar

Wondeful Music:
This CD has had a permanent place in the CD changer in my car since March 2002. The title song caught my attention the first time I heard it on European VH1 and I promptly ordered the CD. Everyone who's heard it wants to know who the artist is. I normally listen to Progressive Rock, big band and jazz music; this has elements of all three. I also like the straightforward presentation -- there are no over-produced, electronic gimmicks -- just great music and wonderful arrangements, beautifully performed.

A hidden gem!:
I was in London on vacation last Autumn and, while there, discovered the Haskell sensation that had taken the country by storm. Gordon is almost 60, a veteran rocker (ex- Fleur De Lys, King Crimson, jammed with Hendrix and Otis Redding, etc) who has eeked out a living playing in bars and and pubs for the past thirty years or so...he cut this one tune, "How Wonderful You Are," and it became a huge hit. And it deserves to be. Elegant, jazzy, smart but not pretentious, it's the kind of tune you just don't hear anymore. I missed my chance to buy the CD in the UK, but I heard it everywhere -- pubs, coffee bars, car stereos, the music video was all over. I can't say how happy I am to see it being released in the States...hopefully Americans will see a poignancy in Gordon's story, as well as in his songs...

A Minor Classic:
I bought this disc on the strength of the reviews in a British Magazine. It is a charming, delightful album; kind of folky, kind of jazzy, with several truly classic cuts: "How Wonderful You Are", "Al Capone", and "There Goes My Heart Again" are songs that would have been in the top 10 in this country in more enlightened times. If you like soft rock--and I DON'T, generally--or if you like Janice Ian, or Stan Getz, or Dave Brubeck--you'll get a quiet, pleasant joy every time you listen to this CD. And it has that rare quality of being a recording you not only enjoy the first time you hear it, but you appreciate it's subtlety more and more upon repeat listenings. Enjoy!

• How Wonderful You Are
• All the Time in the World
• Voodoo Dance
• Freeway to Her Dreams
• Sunshine in the Night
• Al Capone
• Feelin' Loose
• There Goes My Heart Again
• Roll with It
• Someone I Knew
• Little Help from You
• All in the Scheme of Things