Showing posts with label Donald Harrison Jr.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Donald Harrison Jr.. Show all posts

Monday, April 22, 2024

Donald Harrison Jr. - Kind Of New (2002)

New Takes on the classic Miles Davis session ‘Kind of Blue’ - a 21st Century shout out to a 20th Century masterpiece. Everybody is part of Kind of Blue in some way, because there probably isn't a note in jazz played since the record came out that hasn't been affected the album. It is the biggest selling jazz record of all time and is probably, 40 years after its initial release, holds a number one slot in every jazz loving country. Here, Donald Harrison who never shirks from a challenge looks Kind Of Blue straight in the eye. He takes some brilliant in the pocket players covering several generations, examines the original five tunes and throws in three new ones heavily in the style of Miles ('Kind Of New,' 'It Is' and 'What Next?'). This is 'Kind of Blue' done 'Kind of New.' It takes guts, but here it is, a 21st century shout out to a 20th Century masterpiece. Carl Allen and Javon Jackson are Donald's contemporaries - Javon like Donald, was a Jazz Messenger. Eric Reed and Vicente Archer, a bit younger, are from the first generation to be influenced by Donald and his peers. Kenny Barron of course, is a giant, more or less a contemporary of Miles. And last but no means least, Christian Scott (nephew of Donald) who is the trumpet man on this disc and was at the time of recording, only 17 years old. ~ amazon.co.uk. 

Candid Productions, CCD 79768, 2002
Recorded 21st-22nd November, 2001 at Clinton Recording Studios, New York 

Musicians:
Donald Harrison Jr. - Alto Saxophone
Christian Scott - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Javon Jackson - Tenor Saxophone
Kenny Barron - Piano (#3,5)
Eric Reed - Piano (#1,2,4,6-8)
Vicente Archer - Bass
Carl Allen - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Kind Of New {Donald Harrison Jr.} (7:17)
2. Blue In Green {Bill Evans, Miles Davis} (5:17)
3. So What {Miles Davis} (8:39)
4. All Blues {Miles Davis} (3:33)
5. Freddie Freeloader {Miles Davis} (5:57)
6. It Is {Donald Harrison Jr.} (5:26)
7. Flamenco Sketches {Miles Davis} (5:22)
8. What Next? {Donald Harrison Jr.} (6:34) 

Total Time: 48:10 

Kind Of New

Monday, May 16, 2022

Dr. John with Donald Harrison Band - Funky New Orleans (1991)

Dr. John has been described as "The Living Embodiment of New Orleans Culture". His raspy voice and eccentric fusion of New Orleans R&B, Rock and Mardi Gras have created a unique 'voodoo' sound, aptly demonstrated on these thrilling 1991 sessions with the Donald Harrison Band. This 1991 album comes armed with this unique style and better yet with such passionate energy. Dr. John teams up with the Donald Harrison Band to reproduce the various musical explorations and endeavors Dr. John has brought so far through his music and song writing. His charm is fully revealed through the magical voodoo music and the blues performances that he leads on piano. The upbeat 'Hu-Ta-Nay' sets the voodoo magic in motion, quickly followed by the fun and funky and bluesy numbers 'Big Chief', 'Shave 'Em Dry', and 'Ja-Ki-Mo-Fi-Na-Hay', which are strongly inspired by his early days, are truly unparalleled and fervent, enjoy! 

Metro Records, METRCD002, 2000
Recorded 22nd-23rd May, 1991 (#1,9) in New York;
16th-17th November, 1991 (#2-8) Live at Birdland, New York 

Personnel:
Dr. John (Mac Rebennack) - Piano, Guitar, Vocals, Whistling
Donald Harrison Jr. - Alto Saxophone
Stephen Scott - Piano
Cyrus Chestnut - Piano (#1)
Dwayne Burno - Bass
Phil Bowler - Bass (#1)
Carl Allen - Drums
Harol “Smiley” Rick - Percussion (#1)
Donald Harrison Sr. - Vocals (#1) 

Tracks:
1. Hu-Ta-Nay {Donald Harrison} (6:17)
2. Big Chief {Earl Gaines, Wardell Querzergue} (5:17)
3. Shave’em Dry {Lucille Bogan} (5:17)
4. Ja-Ki-Mo-Fi-Na-Hay {Donald Harrison} (6:53)
5. Mamzelle Zizi {Mac Rebennack} (5:43)
6. Livin’ On Borrowed Time {Mac Rebennack} (9:18)
7. You Ain’t So Such A Much {Mac Rebennack} (6:36)
8. Hu-Ta-Nay {Donald Harrison} (9:16)
9. Walkin’ Home {Donald Harrison, Jr., Mac Rebennack} (2:23) 

Total Time: 57:07 

Liner Notes - Neil Slaven 

Big Chief