Customer Reviews

Gene Harris Trio Plus One

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This is Gene Harris at his best. Gene Harris, who i consider the king of "happy blues", pounds out some luscious melodies and swingin rhythms. Here he is with the late great Stanley Turrentine, and the two are on the same page. The rhythm section is also really swingin with Ray Brown anchoring on bass. A highlight is Battle Hymn of the Republic done as a gospel blues. The music overall is very happy, but on some tracks like Misty, Gene spins out some wonderfully evocative balladry. Overall, this is a great live recording, and you can wail along right with the audience, because they really captured the mood. A must-have for any Gene fan or jazz / blues enthusiast.

In this debut recording as a leader for Concord Records, Gene Harris demonstrates that he is in top form at the Blue Note in New York with this live date outing - "Gene Harris Trio Plus One". Gene is joined by the dynamic Stanley Turrentine (tenor sax), who had not played with Gene since a 1960 recording with the Three Sounds...this reunion is complete with Ray Brown (bass) and Mickey Roker (drums).

Harris's style is a fascinating amalgam of two-handed blues and boogie of early idols (Albert Ammons, Pete Johnson, Freddie Slack, Oscar Peterson and Erroll Garner)...but above all Gene is a master of the blues with complete explorations within Ray Brown's compositions "GENE'S LAMENT" and "UPTOWN SOP" both are considered immediate classics...just give a listen and see if you don't agree. The entire group is cooking here on a 24-bar framework, Turrentine wails from bar one of his five solo choruses, a hot number by four pros!

The highlight if any can top the already outstanding previous tracks is - "BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC" Gene's introduction is deceptively gentle, leading into eight choruses of unflagging, gospel-tinged swing, not to mention out-pouring patriotic energy. Turretine is equally inspiring, with a fade-out ending over an extended vamp, nothing like this will ever be again as Harris Trio Plus One set the standards HIGH!

Total Time: 48:07 on 6 Tracks...Concord Jazz CCD-4303...(1986)

Prepare to feel GOOD!! Put on this disc, pour yourself a drink, and it's like you're there partying at the Blue Note. I love all of Gene's recordings, but this has to be my favorite, and it's one of the best live sessions I've heard. You'll want to whoop and holler with the crowd. Gene ranges from quiet and contemplative to simply wailing out the blues. You even get to hear him humming along on the intro to "Battle Hymn." His sense of humor shines through. Stanley Turrentine is awesome; the rendition of "Misty" is beautiful. This is one recording you'll want to listen to again and again.

If you love bluesy jazz, get this CD!!! The song selection is wonderful, and Gene Harris and Stanley Turrentine are smokin!

I have always loved Gene Harris and Stan Turrentine and own a lot of their music. The partnership of these two on this CD is undoubtedly one of the best collaborations i have ever heard and I keep playing it over and over again at work and take the CD home to listen to it at night. If you love Jazz at its best you gotta have it...

I bought this for my husband and it somehow made its way into my cd collection! Being a jaz lover myself, I would have to say this is one of the best I have heard yet! I would highly recommend it to anyone who can truly appreciate quality jazz!

I received the CD "Gene Harris Trio Plus One" as promised, and am delighted with the music. Its great with the top down on a sunny day.