Search - Gene Harris :: Live at Maybeck 23

The Quintessential Gene Harris

07/31/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Here is Gene Harris in his best setting (outside of a club) - solo at the famous Maybeck Hall. The album is part of the ongoing Concord series of Maybeck solo performances which have featured and showcased many of today's top artists. The Boise, Idaho-based bluesman shines with material both original and familiar. From the opening tune, "Lu's Blues" (named for a neighbor's young daughter) to the classic "My Funny Valentine" and a sprightly "Elephant Blossom Blues," Harris displays the versatility and sure touch that have made him a star. If I only owned one Gene Harris CD, it would probably be "Bam, Bam, Bam" recorded as part of the Ray Brown Trio series (Ray Brown on bass, Jeff Hamilton on drums and Harris' piano) - primarily because it is highlighted by the best recorded version of the Harris signature tune, "Summertime." If I could only own two Gene Harris albums, this would certainly be the other one."

Fabulous!!!!!

zilworm@aol.com | Iowa | 11/18/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A fine blues oriented album, amazing that it's just him on the piano without backup Mike"

Geeeene Harris

zilworm@aol.com | 04/17/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Gene Harris was the first musician i ever liked. He had such a simple style built on gospel, blues and swing. Before buying this CD, i already had owned over 20 of Gene's group CD's, whether they were with the RB trio, his quartet, an all star session, or his big bands that he has lead. after buying all of those Gene CDs, there werent many more CDs to get of him. so i got into many other pianists in the meanwhile. i got particularly attached to Art Tatum, who is THE solo pianist of the last century. So i obviously had high standards for solo playing. then i got this CD and i loved it for its contrast with Tatum's complex style.
Now about some of the songs:
Lu's Blues- this is not a 12 bar blues, but it is bluesy, ofcourse, Gene's playing is reserved here, minamalistic
Blues for Rhonda- Gene plays with a heavy, swingin bass line here, this is actually based on the 12 bar blues format
Angel Eyes and My Funny Valentine are two strange ballads that he plays, both very beautiful,
Erroll's Theme- this is from Erroll's concert by the Sea album, which is amazing, for Erroll this was a one chorus closer of 16 bars, Gene makes this into pure 12 bar blues, his playing is powerful, happy, funny,beautiful
this playing or any Gene Harris CD will make you happy"