While the Music Lasts

Jesse Harris, Jesse Harris & the Ferdinandos | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 13, 2004)
• Original Release Date: 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Verve
• ASIN: B00026B1TG
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #301,851 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Performing Songwriter, July/August 2004

"The methodology results in songs as wide-open and warm as "More" and "Forever Nowhere," which collectively define the word "wonderful.""

About the Artist

On their new Verve Forecast album While the Music Lasts, Jesse Harris and the Ferdinandos deliver the same nuanced, introspective songwriting and compellingly bittersweet musical sensibility that are already well known to listeners who discovered the foursome's widely acclaimed 2003 Verve release The Secret Sun or their three prior indie CDs—and to the millions who were introduced to Harris' talents via his work with longtime friend and collaborator Norah Jones. The New York-bred troubadour played guitar and wrote five songs for Jones' multi-platinum breakthrough album Come Away with Me—including the massive hit "Don't Know Why," for which Harris won a Grammy® award for Song of the Year. While the Music Lasts offers 14 new Harris compositions, which maintain the artist's established levels of emotional resonance, melodic craft and vocal intimacy. The vivid lyrics and exquisite melodies of such memorable tunes as "Wild Eyes," "Wish I Was A Bird," "I Never Changed My Mind," "I Have No Idea" and "Mirror Ball" are driven home by inventive, understated arrangements that highlight the organic interplay of Harris and his bandmates.

Where Harris and the Ferdinandos' prior releases were generally put together in seat-of-the-pants style under severe budgetary constraints, While the Music Lasts took advantage of a wider set of recording options. "This was the first time I was ever able to really plan out an album," Harris explains. "When we made our earlier albums, everything was done with favors and in home studios, and things were always getting done at the last minute. This time, Tony Scherr and I got together and made demos for every song, and we talked a lot about arrangements. So when we finally went into the studio, it was like we were executing a plan, and within that blueprint we were able to be creative and spontaneous."

"All of our albums have been pretty sparse," Harris notes. "But on this one, we wanted a richer, more sophisticated sound, so we added things like strings and horns and piano and organ and marimba. I think the idea was to have them pretty subdued in the mix—to have all that stuff in there but still give it a little mystery. Terry Manning was an incredible guy to work with, and he had a lot to do with the sound and vibe of the record. The whole album was recorded and mixed analog. We tended to go for darker tones—French horn, viola, cello, clarinet. I think that that attitude extended to the songwriting. On The Secret Sun, I was striving to write super-simple tunes for the most part, but on this one I wanted stuff that was a little richer harmonically."

While the Music Lasts confirms the wisdom of Harris' choice to concentrate on making records and touring with the Ferdinandos, rather than taking advantage of his recent notoriety to opt for the more stable, less stressful lifestyle of a professional tunesmith. "The last couple of years have proved to me that this is the thing that I really want to do," the artist concludes. "I have the most fun making music and working with the band, and if given the choice that's how I want to spend my time."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An underrated genius, solid like the big guys, July 14, 2004

By 

nini (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: While the Music Lasts (Audio CD)

His music is so musically studied and focused, it may be better than most music going on right now. Listening to his music you can imagine him attending prestigeous music schools, like Johnn Mayer, but he's different, his tunes are truly solid.
A tune like Wild eyes or More brings back a lot of rockabilty that you sometimes feel from less singles-oriented Stones albums, I mean he sounds lighter in a modern tone, but he sure rocks hard. Jesse Harris used to be sophisticated, but on this album, surely his best yet, he's way creative. One of the best albums of the year that I know. It deserves a fan base as big as the White Stripes.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Music to my ears, January 12, 2005

By 

Anthony Rupert "shut up, Shut Up, SHUT UP!!!" (Milwaukee, WI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: While the Music Lasts (Audio CD)

Norah Jones' guitarist Jesse Harris brought together his band the Ferdinandos for another album, While the Music Lasts. I didn't really know he had ANY albums out at first, but I saw this recommended to me on here, so I decided to give it a spin.

Instead of being an album that has a few long songs, this is one of those albums that has a lot of short songs. Some people might say that Jesse ends these songs too soon without actually making a point, but I think the songs are pretty good. "Don't Need That" is nice to chill to, as is one of my favorites, "Always Seem to Get Things Wrong". And as far as playing "I Never Changed My Mind", well, I did just that.

Jesse's singing isn't for everyone, and sometimes his vocals can tend to get annoying, like on "Wish I Was a Bird". But everything else is pretty decent, making While the Music Lasts a nice album to give you some serenity. Pick it up.

Anthony Rupert

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful album from start to finish., July 14, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: While the Music Lasts (Audio CD)

Jesse Harris crafts timeless songs that stick with you. His voice seems to soar right above a whisper and is full of character. This album features strong performances by his band and many guests including Norah Jones, Bill Frisell, and string arrangements by Van Dyke Parks. Perfect for late nights or with your Sunday paper.