Customer Reviews

Harry's Bar

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Gordon Haskell is a musician who has shown true grit and perseverance. It took 35 years for anyone to notice his talent, but he has a very interesting history in the business. He contributed to a 'freakbeat' band called 'Les Fleur de Lys' in the 60's that has since obtained a cult status. Then he was invited by an old school chum (Robert Fripp) to take over the bass guitar duties in King Crimson. This was something of a brush with success for Haskell, because King Crimson was a huge band in the progressive rock fold. But Haskell didn't take to having his voice mangled by synthesizer effects while he tried to enunciate ponderous lyrics (early King Crimson was sometimes the aural equivalent of Ray Harryhausen movies.)

Haskell left the band and made a gentle, whimsical King Crimsonish album called "It Is and It Isn't". It tanked, and Haskell went into obscurity for many years.

He resurfaced in 2001 with this effort, "Harry's Bar", and joined the company of other ex-Crimsonites who have made good, like Bill Bruford and Keith Tippett.

This album is very smooth and sentimental, and well, er, 'adult'. Haskell is a warm singer with a romantic streak a mile wide. I would hope that all music lovers who remember Haskell's days in King Crimson would now give him a shot. His approach is very literate and tasteful, and he's accomplished something Robert Fripp has never managed to do: making a grown up album with jazz musicians.

Unfortunately, Haskell's solo albums--and he's made many--are not easy to find in the United States. This is ironic, because Haskell, although a Britisher, was born to an American father. His music is definitely worth seeking out. I recommend you do so.

I heard a bit of 'How Wonderful You Are' on my NPR station and fortunately they identified the artist- I immediately(I was at my desk at work), got on Amazon and ordered 'Harrys Bar'. This CD has become a favorite- His voice, his songwriting are evocative, beautiful and elegant- I plan to order the rest of his CDs- This is romantic, wistful music- I recommend this CD to anyone who loves a well crafted love song- you won't be disappointed- The whole CD is fabulous

I was in London on vacation last Autumn and, while there, discovered the Haskell sensation that had taken the country by storm. Gordon is almost 60, a veteran rocker (ex- Fleur De Lys, King Crimson, jammed with Hendrix and Otis Redding, etc) who has eeked out a living playing in bars and and pubs for the past thirty years or so...he cut this one tune, "How Wonderful You Are," and it became a huge hit. And it deserves to be. Elegant, jazzy, smart but not pretentious, it's the kind of tune you just don't hear anymore. I missed my chance to buy the CD in the UK, but I heard it everywhere -- pubs, coffee bars, car stereos, the music video was all over. I can't say how happy I am to see it being released in the States...hopefully Americans will see a poignancy in Gordon's story, as well as in his songs...

I have JUST bought this CD in England amazon.co.uk I cannot stop playing it, It swings along nicely, and Gordons voice suits every song, and so it should do as he wrote all the songs. He has been around for a few years now playing guitar and singing with some well known groups. Thank goodness he has recognition at last. Go on treat yourself.

Really wonderful album. It is very atmospheric - it transfers you a very romantic and energetic feeling. I would recommend it to any jazz lover.

This CD has had a permanent place in the CD changer in my car since March 2002. The title song caught my attention the first time I heard it on European VH1 and I promptly ordered the CD. Everyone who's heard it wants to know who the artist is. I normally listen to Progressive Rock, big band and jazz music; this has elements of all three. I also like the straightforward presentation -- there are no over-produced, electronic gimmicks -- just great music and wonderful arrangements, beautifully performed.

I bought this disc on the strength of the reviews in a British Magazine. It is a charming, delightful album; kind of folky, kind of jazzy, with several truly classic cuts: "How Wonderful You Are", "Al Capone", and "There Goes My Heart Again" are songs that would have been in the top 10 in this country in more enlightened times. If you like soft rock--and I DON'T, generally--or if you like Janice Ian, or Stan Getz, or Dave Brubeck--you'll get a quiet, pleasant joy every time you listen to this CD. And it has that rare quality of being a recording you not only enjoy the first time you hear it, but you appreciate it's subtlety more and more upon repeat listenings. Enjoy!

I JUST picked this one up in Rome while on vacation. I happened to hear the CD at a internet cafe/bookstore/cultural center and asked the people at the cash register who the artist was. It being Italy and all, they didn't speak English and I didn't speak Italian, so either they didn't understand me or didn't want to pop the CD out of the player to check. I went back later that night, hoping for a friendlier lot and was rewarded with the name and title of the CD. Of course, they said I could buy the used, open CD for 20 Euro, but I played stupid and said I didn't have the money on me. I went to two record stores before I finally found it (and not after one clerk told me "no way"). I'm extremely happy with it. I popped it in the player after less than two hours back in the States and haven't taken it out yet. I'll seek out others by Mr. Haskell for sure.

This CD has a permanent place in the CD changer in my car. The title song caught my attention the first time I heard it and I promptly ordered the CD. It became an instant favorite; after two months, I still play at least parts of it every day, matching the songs to my moods. Everyone who's heard it wants to know who the artist is. I normally listen to Progressive Rock, big band and jazz music; this has elements of all three. I also like the straightforward presentation -- there are no over-produced, electronic gimmicks -- just great music and wonderful arrangements, beautifully performed.

I've heard of Gordon Haskell before, as a former member of King Crimson, during the early 70's, but since then, the man has dissapeared, till lately. As many, I discovered him again by "How wonderful you are", that is played time and again by the British VH1. A romantic gentle and mature CD, that can be heard at midnight with a glass of fine red wine.A real piece of joy, that lately, unfortunately is so rare. Besides the great music, it worth to read the comments of Haskell about the disc. Such clever thoughts, almosr philosophy of life, tell us, that unlike many creators in Rock and Pop, the man has also original thoughts besides the clips and the money. And from (almost...) philosophy to a material subject: [item price] for the disc?! I don't get it. You'd better check things up at amazon.co.uk, because it's much cheaper there.