Customer Reviews

Best of Concord Years

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Concord Jazz, has given us a wonderful collection, one of the best pianist in the business, Gene Harris. During his Concord years, Gene Harris set a high level of musical excellence that is both inspiring and influential. With "THE BEST OF THE CONCORD YEARS", Concord Records is delighted to present some of Gene Harris most inspired performances in a special 2-CD retrospective.

Gene Harris's signature hard-swinging, soulful, blues-drenched piano style made him one of the most exciting and accessible pianists in jazz. Stand outs: "DON'T BE THAT WAY", "YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE", "BLACK AND BLUE", "THIS IS LITTLE GIRL OF MINE", what a classic arrangement, "SWEET GEORGIA BROWN", funky style comes through, "OLD FUNKY GENE'S", pure funk in the rough, terrific.

Gene Harris was triumphant on the jazz scene, powerful blues-based style, with non-stop talent. Highly, very highly recommend this one of a kind artist for your collection of - the best of jazz, and yes, "THE BEST OF THE CONCORD YEARS", with a legend and wonderful human being, Gene Harris!

Total Time: Disc One 70:09 on 12 Tracks/Disc Two 68:50 on 10 Tracks - Concord Jazz CCD2 4930 2 (2000)

Well, I already have 2 Gene Harris cd's("Listen Here" and "Gene Harris plus one") but when I saw this one listed, I just couldn't resist trying another one and I certainly was NOT disappointed. I often let this cd repeat for most of the day and it never fails when I get a visitor, they will eventually say "Who's that on piano?" Well, that's Gene Harris. I mentioned in another review that I have been around music all of my life, but only discovered Gene last year when I caught one of his tracks on a jazz station out of Philly.He was truly remarkable. This particular cd is a great value with 22 tracks (2 discs) and, as far as I'm concerned, extremely listenable. Of course I have my favorites just like anyone else. "Don't Be That Way", "Take the A Train", "Cottontail", & "Blues For Sam" all rate high on my list, but the entire album is a real treat for jazz fans everywhere. It's a mixture of big bands and small groups. I only hope it doesn't take you as long as it did me to discover him.

all I want to say about any gene harris c.d. is that you can expect the mood to be happy and bouncy and you can,t go wrong buying any of his music it will always leave you satisfied, its a shame his recordings had to come to an end , however you can now go to ray brown his longtime buddy who has continued gene,s style of music with several good pianists, where you can feel the gene harris touch.

I discovered Gene Harris last year while listening to my local jazz station, and I'll forever mourn the fact that I never had the chance to hear him in person. This guy could play the blues with anyone- a huge, big hearted sound that gets your toes tapping. He could be tender, too- listen to Errol Garner's Creme de Menthe, one of the most beautiful jazz tunes you'll ever hear. This collection is a wonderful introduction to his art- buy it, and I'll bet you'll be back for more.

This is BY FAR the BEST CD set I've EVER heard topping EVERYTHING in my collection. When I first played Gene Harris' "TRIBUTE TO COUNT BASIE" CD (which I can't recommend strongly enough) I thought this was the ultimate but something told me if I liked this I'd love "THE BEST OF THE CONCORD YEARS" and thank God I heeded my inner voice.

Harris' "That's All" really blew me away as it gradually built to an awesome, up-tempo, chanting climax like I've NEVER heard before or expect to again. "Like A Lover", "You Are My Sunshine" and "Down Home Blues" are equally breathtaking as Harris brilliantly blends standards, boogie, funk and blues into the kind of melodic perfection you'll want to experience over and over again.

In fact, all 22 tracks are masterpieces in their own right ranging from "Don't Be That Way" to a totally unique rendition of "Summertime" - and trust me if you like Basie, Garner and truly GREAT jazz, you'll treasure this CD. It's NUMBER ONE in my collection and it will be in yours too.

This CD has absolutely all of Gene Harris' best tracks ever recorded on it. I couldn't stop listening to it for nearly a week! It truly shows what a masterful musician and composer Gene Harris really was. And props to Concord for remaining true to his style as far as which tracks they chose to feature. I never fully knew how amazing Harris was until I listened to this CD from start to finish. This will for sure remain one of my favorites!

This is the real stuff, not the watered-down "smooth jazz" they play on the radio. But don't fret about the improvisation if you're a casual listener. There are plenty of catchy melodies and toe-tapping rhythms to nod your head to. The solos are all first-rate without being showy and the recording quality is superb. And what about that incredible "Uptown Sop." It's easily one of the ten best jazz songs recorded after 1960 and possibly since WWII. It ranks up there with Brubeck's "Take 5", Hancock's "Cantaloupe Island", and Miles' "All Blues". If you don't like this stuff, there's a hole in your soul.

This is a great representation of the music of Gene Harris.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with this man, you are in for some of the most uplifting music you will ever hear.

Gene is bluesy, funky, swinging, and soulful, and also delicate and tender at times.

Let me guarantee you something: you listen to the music of Gene Harris, and life will be simple and good. Your worries will dissappear.

My life without Gene Harris would be nothing. Try this CD.

Piano playin' doesn't get any better than Gene Harris. This is a classic that you'll never tire of hearing.

This album is SICK good...

Is there anyone alive this good???? I doubt it...