Barry Harris

Pianist Barry Harris' second recording as a leader (he led a set for Argo in 1958) finds him at the age of 30 playing in the same boppish style he would have throughout his career. Teamed up with bassist Sam Jones and drummer Louis Hayes, this live CD reissue (which adds three alternate takes to the original LP program) is an excellent example of Harris' playing. Highlights of the enthusiastic straight-ahead set (which includes three obscure but worthy originals by the pianist) include "Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby," "Moose the Mooche" and "Woody'N You."

The Barry Harris Trio - Magnificent! (1969) {2006 Japan Mini LP Edition}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 219 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 93 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 49 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2006 Prestige / Victor Entertainment | VICJ-41566 | 20-bit remaster
Jazz / Bop / Piano

From the opening tour de force reading of Coleman Hawkins' "Bean and the Boys" to the closing performance of Charlie Parker's "Dexterity," Magnificent brilliantly illustrates Barry Harris' unique rapport with the bop piano tradition. Absolutely unlike the enervating, curatorial approach of the neo-con movement, Harris deals with the tradition as a continuum, perpetually rejuvenating and extending it. Along with the opening and closing tracks, the classics on this 1969 date include a caressing exploration of "These Foolish Things" and a dazzling treatment of "Ah-Leu-Cha."

The Barry Harris Trio - Magnificent! (1969) {Prestige Japan Mini LP VICJ-41566 rel 2006}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 219 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 94 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 40 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1969, 2006 Prestige / Victor Entertainment Japan | VICJ-41566 | 20-bit remaster
Jazz / Bop / Piano

From the opening tour de force reading of Coleman Hawkins' "Bean and the Boys" to the closing performance of Charlie Parker's "Dexterity," Magnificent brilliantly illustrates Barry Harris' unique rapport with the bop piano tradition. Absolutely unlike the enervating, curatorial approach of the neo-con movement, Harris deals with the tradition as a continuum, perpetually rejuvenating and extending it. Along with the opening and closing tracks, the classics on this 1969 date include a caressing exploration of "These Foolish Things" and a dazzling treatment of "Ah-Leu-Cha."

Barry Harris - Luminescence! (1967) {Prestige OJCCD-924-2 rel 1997}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 251 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 93 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 19 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1967, 1997 Prestige / Fantasy | OJCCD-924-2
Jazz / Bop / Hard Bop / Piano

Bebop sessions were comparatively rare in 1967, but pianist Barry Harris and his sextet on this CD reissue perform with the sincerity and enthusiasm that was more closely associated with this music in 1957. The trumpetless group (which also consists of baritonist Pepper Adams, tenor saxophonist Junior Cook, trombonist Slide Hampton, bassist Bob Cranshaw and drummer Lenny McBrowne) performs four of Harris' joyful originals (most of which are based on common chord changes), the ballad "My Ideal" and two Bud Powell tunes, "Dance of the Infidels" and "Webb City." Everyone is in fine form, particularly Harris and Adams, and the pianist's arrangements perfectly fit (and uplift) the music. Highly recommended to bebop collectors.

Barry Harris - The Bird Of Red And Gold (1979) {Xanadu Records XCD 1220 rel 1994}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 237 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 136 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 13 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1979, 1994 Xanadu Records | XCD 1220
Jazz / Post Bop / Bebop / Piano

Detroit native Barry Harris, yet one more renown and acclaimed pianists of his generation performs what is arguably his finest and certainly some of his only solo work. This particular recording has long been acclaimed by jazz critics as top shelf jazz. Barry recording here in the post bop era, plays with a touch of that school of bebop in which his roots were, yet is very much in key, pitch, tone and tune with the times as he works his way through wonderful improvisations of tunes long favored by jazz players.