Customer Reviews

Another Night in London (Dig)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

Another Night in London, like Live in London, documents Gene's "English Quartet". But most importantly, 10 years after his death, we are blessed to get another posthumous recording. While both are essential documents of Gene stretching out in a live setting with a superlative rhythm section, I think I like this one just a bit better, for this reason: More blues. By that I mean, while Gene always brought the blues and gospel to almost any song, the set list here is even more conducive to that part of Gene's playing.

I have to give a big raspberry to Concord/Fantasy for being so foolish as to refuse Gene's widow, Janie Harris's offer of these recordings. Gene made Concord a great deal of money while he was alive and I am sure he was one of their most popular artists. Being a Concord recording artist at the time, Concord/Fantasy has right of first refusal for any commercial recording made during that time. Why would they decline the chance to continue the success they had? Everything changed after Carl Jefferson died, and now Concord has fallen even further in my eyes.

With Concord-Fantasy behind it, this recording might make a bigger impression, but all the credit goes to Resonance Records for jumping at the opportunity to release this gem, and to Janie Harris for continuing to keep Gene's memory, and music, in the public eye.

May they both continue for a very, very long time.

Gene Harris is as fantastic as ever, so it is too bad he didn't live to realize how much we appreciate work he never knew would be published. My only negative comment about this recording is I feel the bass was too strong.

The piano is unmistakably Gene, but the back-up musicians are not quite as tight as those with whom Gene Harris recorded here stateside. Still very enjoyable and a definite keeper!

Before buying this Cd I had only heard one track which I loved. However I love every song on this Cd, it is absolutely magic and brings a smile to my face every time I listen to it, which at the moment is every day. If I had to pick a favorite it would be Masquerade.

Only one other man played the Blues a little more soulfully than Gene, and that was Count Basie.
I found both London CD's to be outstanding. Ten years have passed since he went "home". Its like a void has been created. Gene Harris was one of the Masters. I go back to Mr Harris' Three Sounds' 1959/60 days at ABARTS in Washington, DC. Gene worked those keys! Transitioning from be-bop to the blues. America needs some new blood that is talented and plays from the heart, and not just copying one of the late Masters' works.

That's right, you must have this CD, it is absolutely fantastic, don't believe the downers above. I just recieved this CD and it is every bit as good as the Live in London CD to which this makes the perfect companion. Gene and his crew are rocking and when not bashing away, they are smooth as a baby's bum, great tunes and wonderful renditions. I have most of Mr. Harris work and this is superlative as the live recording quality is excellent and so glad this was released. Not as snappy as the Live session at STe. Chapelle Winery, but every bit as well performed. Performances like this one really make me sad that Gene Harris is no longer with us. Great musician and stylist on the piano- one of the all time Jazz Best.

Gene Harris Quartet "Another Night In London" is Jazz at its best. This is a multi-listen CD as is most of Gene Harris music.