Customer Reviews

Feel

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

 

 

I usually don't take the time to write about records on here but I couldn't help myself. "Feel" is a masterpiece. It is as catchy and effortless as it is deep and soulful. Jesse Harris is one of the few that gives me faith in the over saturated/under inspired genre of singer/songwriter.

The first song, "Feel" captures you right away, but then the next songs start to blur and you're not so sure. But, I can report that after listening to the album nonstop for several days now, this one is addicting and beautiful. There isn't really a weak song on it, except for maybe the last one, but everybody seems to like that one so I'll go along.
Beginning with Mineral (even before, in a more rock-ish way), Harris has become like an aural artist or a tone painter. In another era, he might have been like Ravel, Satie or Debussy. The sound is spare, and fills the space only when necessary. Harris chose his accompanying musicians well, and you see how rich the choices are around The Living Room back in NYC...a pool which includes Norah Jones and her band. Here, Tim Lunzel plays some creative bass and Andrew Borger, the drummer (or really percussionist) for The Handsome Band, handles the rhythm instruments. Borger is the perfect choice; he's maturing into a very interesting, jazzy, idiosyncratic drummer, perfect for Norah's sound but clearly just right for this disc, too.
Harris' lyrics, even though he's the guy who wrote "Don't Know Why," on this disc often seem like they are either not important, not thought through...or maybe it would be better if he teamed up with a really good lyric writer amongst his Living Room colleagues, such as Richard Julian or Lee Alexander. But, even that criticism fades the more you listen to this disc. The lyrics are also kind of impressionistic, or maybe improvised and childlike. I'll go four stars because the lyrics aren't 5-star level, but heck, maybe that's picking on something not that important.
He is influenced by and apparently reveres Brazilian music, and you hear that on "Feel," but then, he's really taken it into his own so it's Jesse Harris, not ersatz Brazilian. The variety of sounds and rhythms is fantastic, way beyond most records these days. This album might be compared to Paul Simon's Graceland kind of thing, but to me this album is different because it is not Jesse Harris doing Brazilian music but just...Jesse Harris.
Anyway, buy this one and you're in for an amazing sound experience, especially with some good headphones on. I guess it could serve as background music for a summer afternoon and a few glasses of wine, but there's a lot more to it than that.

Jesse Harris' CD "Feel" is at times moody, but is a very strong set with some great moments. "How Could It Take So Long?" chugs at its midtempo pace with a plucky banjo and harmonica and Harris' unassuming but affecting vocals, "Some need something they can lie on; Some need something they can die on; All I need's a bus to anywhere." "The Wind" meanders with Harris' voice seeming to long for something just out of reach, "Happy for awhile, the good times were out of style & April came & went colder than its ever been." "Shadow" has some pep with Harris' vocals like a newfound David Gray in a very sweet track. There are no big clunkers here. Overall, this is a very strong set. Enjoy!

This album is full of great songs and hypnotic, laid back grooves. It's rare these days to find records this good from start to finish. Every song is a 3 minute masterpiece whichs adds up to a timeless classic album. Jesse and his band pull this off with ease and grace. My favoite songs are "How Could It Take So Long" and "Walk On." Check out Jesse's live show if you have a chance.

Jesse's talent as a songwriter is so tremendous; it's amazing he can pull off being such a seductive performer and singer as well. "Feel" is simply a pleasure to listen to... the exotic percussion, his relaxed tone, and pensive lyrics stretched between catchy and soulful melodies. I can't recommend this album enough; "Feel" is one of those that you'll find yourself humming all day at work. Also, if you ever have the chance to see Jesse live, don't miss out. It's fantastic to watch the craft of such a talented songsmith unfolding on stage.

I was going to open my review with something like, "Norah Jones' guitarist Jesse Harris..." but then I thought that maybe that wouldn't be fair because he's a very good artist in his own right. And his latest album Feel definitely drives that point home.

The only album I heard from Jesse prior to this was his 2004 album, While the Music Lasts; I never got to hear the album he released last year, Mineral (I never even heard OF it until a few hours ago). Anyway, those that have heard his work should know that his songs are generally short and sweet; very rarely does a song of his even surpass the three-minute mark. But that's not an issue; and besides, the songs are still great. The title track starts things off, and the album gets better as it goes along, as evidenced by selections like "The Wind", "You and Me" and "How Could It Take So Long".

But the best time can be had by listening to the end of the album, where many of the songs have an island vibe, especially "Shadow", "Fire on the Ocean" and "It Washed Away". And the rest of the album is remarkable as well, making Feel turn out to be Jesse Harris' best album. Pick it up.

Anthony Rupert

This album is definitely a good listen. There's a lot of singer/songwriter crap out there, but Harris makes the cut, as far as I'm concerned! His melodies are pleasant and catchy, the lyrics are well-written (not corny, not trying to hard...), and the songs don't sound over-produced. A really nice balance, overall. Fans of this genre should definitely check it out--you won't be disappointed!