Known stateside as the Jazz Vocal King of New York, Harris has stunned audiences for over four decades. I can't recall him making a similar impact this side of the pond which, upon listening to this album, seems quite incredible. Harris should be rated alongside Lambert, Hendricks, Ross, Chet, Murphy, Witherspoon and the other jazz singers who pepper the pages of jazz vocal literature - Harris is in that league.
This session in Ann Arbor, Michigan at the Blue LLama Club is what live jazz is all about. Hip vocals, audience communication and a band that delivers 100%.
Individual interpretations of standards plus four of his own compositions* make the January 2023 recording one of this year's outstanding vocal albums. However, let's not get too carried away by the vocals as the band is equally fantastic. There's Harris' own funky blues guitar playing on Black Coffee Blues, Edwards' drumming on Spain and the uptempo Nature Boy (best ever version of one of my least favourite songs), Hall's saxing and fluting throughout, pianist (and Harris' MD) Sandoval's superb solos - she can swing, comp and fly high when unleashed. Of course, without Kenney on bass it would be like Chicken Fried Rice without the rice.
The more I listen, the more I like it. Sunny; Jeannine; The Very Thought of You all get the adrenaline working but, here's the kicker - Allan Harris reminds me of our own, the late Dave Weisser and there could be no greater compliment to either singer! Lance
Available July 28 on Blue LLama Records.
* New Day; Black Coffee Blues; Shimmering Deep Blue Sea; There She Goes.
1 comment :
I feel the same esteem was never afforded to another Harris , Eddie, one of the greatest sax players ever . I shall definitely seek out this album , thank you Lance for the review.
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