Customer Reviews

Exodus to Jazz

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It doesn't seem possible but I used to listen to this album when I was a college student. His rendition of the theme song "Exodus" had come out after the release of the movie by the same name, and was a big hit. I am in my mid 60s today and recently purchased it again. I had no idea it was released in CD format. It is as fresh sounding now as it was "way back then" and the music on the entire album is top notch.

Eddie's soulful version of Exodus was apparently so popular in 1961 that inspired critical backlash. He can't be blamed for trying to make a buck, but this real jazz, by any standard. He's less funky here than he got later in his career, playing more in cool-toned bop mode. Joe Diorio, on guitar, and Willie Pickens, on piano, also get some nice solos in. Nice mix of ballads and faster swinging jams. There's only about 34 minutes of music, but it's great music.

This is a (too) brief sample of one of my best loved songs. It was composed and played by Eddie Harris, an alto sax jazz player, from the album Exodus in Jazz. I bumped into him at the Southerland Lounge on the South side of Chicago. He told me that it was written as a tribute to his mother. It is a very haunting melody.

Extraordinary! Every home, automobile, and restaurant should have this. This recording is unbelievably incredible, from a production and performance angle! we are blessed to have this CLASSIC and oh-so-influencial music. Eddie Harris is amazingly original, funky and elegant at the same time, screaming and whispering at once, so much intent behind every note, and everything flowing positively forward. All musicians are bad bad cats that know how to swing together - and alone! what makes a classic product more perfect than a cast of brilliant incomparable characters that could very easily stand on their own, and brings them together to inspire and be inspired, every now and then shining as soloists, and when not then simply supporting the other star shining. Trust me, when you visit this night, where the star-filled skies are over you, all you have to do is close your eyes and you're right there, a star among the stars, just as brilliant because you're taking it all in. Absolutely incredible audible experience - one i've visited many, many times, and shall return to many, many more! Make no mistake: this IS one of the greatest recording ever made.

This LP is a good one to play for your friends that might not be into jazz. It also would be a good LP to help people that have made the mistake of embracing "Smooth Jazz (yech!)" It really captures the essence of bop without being too "out there." That's why I call it "Soft Bop." Yet that doesn't mean is doesn't swing. It does. I think the real treasure here is the beautiful sound and presentation of Harris and his generous sharing of the musical load with the other musicians. I have the LP, so I can't speak to the sound of the CD. I always defer to the vinyl in regards to the "sound."