Barry Harris (pno/vcl); Dave Green (bs) Steve Brown (dms).
(Review by Lance).
(Review by Lance).
Harris is more than just a pianist he's a showman an entertainer an audience participator who delighted the well attended Soho eaterie.Yes he's all of them but most importantly he's one of the best jazz pianists on the planet.
He builds almost from nothing as witness the opening Heart and Soul. Starting off like the most basic of pianists - Heart and Soul is second only to Chop Sticks in the fledgling pianist's repertoire - he gradually filled it out with some luscious block chords. When Green and Brown were added to the canvas the harmonies were rich and the angular lines flowed freely. The bassist held his own solowise and the immaculately dressed Brown's brushwork was equally immaculate.
This Nearly Was Mine segued into Be My Love unaccompanied at first before the trio took the Mario Lanza classic on the roller coaster ride of it's life. Tea For Two (including verse) began as a soft shoe shuffle before the pianist gave Green some challenging moments both tempowise and keywise. Dave came through unscathed!
Throughout it all Harris grunts and sings saxophone type lines including the Charlie Parker take on Embraceable You re-titled here as I'mBarryHarrisable You! or, if it goes wrong, he said, Embarrasable You - it didn't go wrong!
More classic tunes including A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square, My Heart Stood Still,There Will Never Be Another You, Conception and I'll Keep on Loving You.
Mention must be made of Green and Brown who were superb in both soloing and providing the perfect rhythm section. Like my Margaretta Pizza - simply the best.
Lance.
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