Review of Gene Harris : Alley Cats
Since the start of his career in the mid-1950s, pianist Gene Harris has been stereotyped as a soul-jazz pianist by virtue of his influential work with the Three Sounds, which helped define the genre until the group's breakup in 1970. But Harris's playing, while enormously soulful, funky, and gospel-flavored, has always been much more than just that one style. Recorded live in December 1998, Alley Cats captures his topnotch band live in full flight at Seattle's Jazz Alley with guests Red Holloway on tenor sax, Ernie Watts on alto sax, Jack McDuff on organ, and Harris's daughter Niki on vocals. The opening cut, a funkified version of the Crusaders' "Put It Where You Want It," is what listeners have come to expect from Harris, a rollicking workout that shows off his blues-inflected playing to delightful effect. From there the album reveals some of the pianist's other colors, from the Afro-Caribbean beat of "Magic Lady" to Benny Golson's down-home "Blues March" and Watts's bebop tip to Charlie Parker, "Bird's Idea." Jack McDuff's solo on Harris's swinging "Walkin' with Zach," and Niki Harris's moving rendition of "You've Changed" only further the evidence that these were indeed a couple of red-hot nights in Seattle. --Ezra Gale

Users's Reviews - Gene Harris : Listen up and Listen Here
This is my second purchase of this CD. One for the house and one for the auto. This is a live performance with 2 vocal numbers by Gene's daughter, Nikki. Very powerful singing from her, also emotional when you consider this was their last gig together (Gene passed away this February of kidney failure.)

Get this CD for the live jammin take of Listen Here. It grooves and makes folks ask who that is playing there. Gene, as always, is the man. It hurt to learn he was gone but he left us fabulous memories of his last performance at Jazz Alley.

Your latest reviews - Gene Harris : "turn up the heat for lowdown blues & ballads ~ Gene Harris"
What is there that makes us like Gene Harris so much? Could it be his artistry on the ivories ~ his personality ~ or the fact that he enjoys what he does and we enjoy listening to the final result. And that result is "God-given-talent" that he was born with and has fine tuned to perfection. Gene Harris has been my favorite Jazz Pianist from day one ~ the first time I heard him my senses became aware of his natural ability to convey Blues, Jazz, R&B, Pop, Easy Listening and hard pounding Funk all on one track if need be. When you hear Harris play you immediately know who it is and are drawn into his realm of enchantment through that unmistakable style of his.

Concord Jazz has put together eleven selections from various albums that prove beyond a doubt, Gene was one of the top five "Jazz Pianist" in the entertainment field. So just sit back and give a listen to "NOBODY KNOWS YOU WHEN YOU'RE DOWN AND OUT", the great Jimmy Cox tune that Gene takes us on a funky blues ride that we're sure to enjoy ~ "AT LAST", take your favorite partner on the dance floor and hold them close, as Scott Hamilton joins Gene on this beautiful ballad ~ "YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT LOVE IS", two great keyboard artists Jack McDuff (Hammond B-3 organ) and Gene Harris (piano) take this tune to another level of quality ~ "THAT'S ALL", always a favorite instrumentally, but what Gene does with this is truly amazing ~ "ANGEL EYES", probably one of my all time favorite saloon songs by Ella, Frank, Sarah and now Gene, not bad company to be in.

If you haven't discovered Gene Harris by now, this would be a starting place. If you enjoyed this album ~ would suggest "The Best of the Concord Years" (2-CD-Set) (CCD2-4930-2) featuring none other than Mr. Gene Harris, it will simply knock your sox off ~ gotta love it!

Total Time: 67:26 on 11 Tracks ~ Concord Jazz 2170-2 ~ (2/11/2003)