danasgoodstuff Posted February 14, 2015 Report Share Posted February 14, 2015 Well I think it's definitely true that in the 20+ years between the first run with BN and his return to prominence thru his association with Concord, Gene's style had evolved to a much more aggressive brand of swing which I hear as more of an Oscar Peterson influence than was present earlier. But the blues has always been so prominent in his style. If you go back to some of the other Three Sounds records you may find you enjoy them more, at least for what Andy Simpkins brings to them. I do think that the Sounds was a true trio, while Gene's records as a leader for Concord were much more Gene plus supporting cast. In contrast to Peter, this is exactly why I only own Gene with the 3 Sounds - good, FUNctional social music from a world that doesn't exist anymore and that I was never a part of (kinda like the Cherokee Cowboys or Brazos River Boys). Post come back I find it too relentless and without any contextual reason for being... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted February 14, 2015 Report Share Posted February 14, 2015 Piano trios, like comedy, are one of those things that people of otherwise convergent tastes can get all kinds of divergent about, so yes, mileages definitely vary. The lightness is what I like. The space they create is indeed light, but its also, I think, a very well-balanced-between-the-elements light, a pastel that is not necessarily "greasy" yet is very well lubricated, if you will. As far as trio "construction" models. It sounds/feels to me like the hardness of Oscar Peterson filtered through the "equal parts" deconstruction of Ahmad Jamal and then ran through the overall sunshine of King Cole. Again, the resultant lightness is what I like, how they create a space of their own and fill it effectively and efficiently as per their group esthetic.Neither over- nor underdone, just right where they want it. It's a happy sound, and those album covers are all happy too. Per BN principles, packaging matches music. Music aside, I love this cover: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Gould Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 And this one too It is happy music and it's why I like it so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Kart Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 Dan -- From the Concord era, any thoughts about "Alley Cats?" Just listened to several tracks on Spotify and was impressed. That rhythm section is tight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Gould Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 IIRC, MG really likes that one but I always found it wanting. Not because Gene had an off night but because of the guests on the bandstand. I seem to recall finding that a little bit of his singing daughter, Niki Harris, went a long way, and Ernie Watts didn't help either. Gene, the rest of the rhythm section, Red Holloway, were great but Gene's final recording before he died is not one I return to with the frequency of most of the rest of his Concord catalog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Kart Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 Thanks, Dan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Friedman Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 Here's one that doesn't get a lot of attention but is really great, perhaps the best of the 'all-star' jam sessions: Absolutely love the version of "Just a Closer Walk with Thee". Dan, we agree on this one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Gould Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Shearn Posted February 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 I first knew Niki's work through her association with the Eurodance group Snap, remember them? I was liking the samples of "Alley Cats" too Dan, but thank you for your assessment. I am liking the GH and Philip Morris All Stars Live disc, I need to listen a bit closer, only ran thru it once but it really doesn't seem like much of a Gene Harris date as much as Gene in an all star jam session JATP-ish style presentation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Gould Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 I only knew of her thru her association with Madonna: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Friedman Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 Niki Harris has been leading a Sunday morning gospel session at the Labor Day weekend Vail Jazz Party for the past 3 or 4 years. A gospel choir comes in from Denver and 3 or 4 jazz musicians appearing at the Jazz Party also participate. The outdoor tent fills up and the music is uplifting and thrilling. Niki does an excellent job leading the event, and her singing fits in very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morganized Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 Anything with the tune "Girl Talk" on it. He KILLS that tune. Great rendition.IMHO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cali Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 I have most of the albums mentioned in this thread and because of this thread I revisited some of my Gene Harris/3 Sounds albums I hadn't listened to in awhile. Lo and behold! I stumbled across Gene Harris and The Three Sounds Live At The It Club Vol. 2. Wow! I've been listening to it ever since. Vol. 1 is alright, but this one has turned my head around. The only fault I find with the It Club albums is the drummer is not my cup of tea. <script src="safari-extension://com.ebay.safari.myebaymanager-QYHMMGCMJR/b6c3a1b5/background/helpers/prefilterHelper.js" type="text/javascript"> </script> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Gould Posted February 21, 2015 Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 Well mileage does vary - I prefer Volume 1, for the lack of Beatles covers. Also find it interesting that a couple of the tracks on Volume 1 show the group using the same arrangements as on the studio recordings of nearly a decade before - Green Dolphin Street and Love for Sale IIRC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Shearn Posted February 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 (edited) Carl Burnette works with Freddie Hubbard well, on "Gleam", IMO. Edited February 21, 2015 by CJ Shearn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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