Gene Harris - 1999 "Alley Cats"

Alley Cats is vintage Harris. Recorded live at Jazz Alley in Seattle, the album features the leader’s quartet (guitarist Frank Potenza, bassist Luther Hughes and drummer Paul Kreibich) along with veteran saxophonists Red Holloway and Ernie Watts. Harris and the saxmen establish the energy level here, and they don't hold anything back.

Harris' goal for Alley Cats was to get funky, and his ensemble surely accomplishes that objective on tunes like the Crusaders' "Put It Where You Want It," Cannonball Adderley's "Jive Samba" and an extended version of the soulful Eddie Harris composition "Listen Here." But Alley Cats also demonstrates Gene Harris' considerable versatility on keys. On Ernie Watts' fast-paced original "Bird's Idea," the pianist delivers a furious bop solo. On "Magic Lady," he embellishes a rapid Latin-soul groove. He comps beautifully behind daughter Nikki's vocals on "You've Changed." Then he trades bluesy runs with organist Jack McDuff on "Walkin' With Zack" and "Listen Here."

Stylistically, Alley Cats covers a lot of ground: soul-jazz, mainstream, a hint of gospel, bluesy jazz, occasional Latin grooves, a bop tune and a ballad. Leader Harris' fiery piano work is as soul-drenched as ever. Normally a tenor player, Watts blows alto on four tracks here. Alley Cats is hot stuff.

Too many artists have gone their entire careers without providing any live albums, but that hasn't been a problem for Gene Harris whose live recordings from the 1980s and 1990s ranged from unaccompanied solo piano to big-band dates.

Arguably, the best live album he gave listeners in the 1990s was Alley Cats; recorded live at Jazz Alley in Seattle on December 11-12, 1998, this CD finds Harris' working quintet (Harris on piano, Frank Potenza on guitar, Luther Hughes on bass, and Paul Kreibich on drums) joined by such accomplished soloists as Red Holloway (tenor sax), Ernie Watts (alto and tenor sax), and Jack McDuff (organ). Many inspired moments occur, and a 65-year-old Harris really goes that extra mile on gems ranging from Nat Adderley's "Jive Samba" and Benny Golson's "Blues March" to Joe Sample's "Put It Where You Want It" (which, in the 1970s, was introduced by the Crusaders before being covered by the Average White Band).

A talented but underexposed singer (underexposed in the 1990s, anyway) who has recorded R&B albums but is quite capable of handling jazz, Harris' daughter Niki Harris is featured on earthy performances of "You've Changed," "Please Send Me Someone to Love," and "Guess Who." McDuff, meanwhile, brings his gritty, down-home Hammond B-3 to two songs: Eddie Harris' "Listen Here" and Gene Harris' "Walkin' With Zach." Soul-jazz enthusiasts will definitely want this excellent CD.

Pianist Gene Harris again lays down soulful, bluesy, funky grooves on his 21st album for Concord. Recorded live at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley in Seattle, the aggregation includes saxophonists Ernie Watts and Red Holloway, and organist Jack McDuff working new magic on familiar charts.

Standout tracks feature Harris’ dynamic gospel-funk form on “Put It Where You Want It,” Holloway and Watts in tenor tandem on Benny Golson’s “Blues Walk” and Brother Jack’s dazzling B-3 on Eddie Harris’ “Listen Here.” Other stellar moments: Watts’ searing alto on Nat Adderly’s “Jive Samba,” and the combination of Holloway’s tender tenor and audacious Niki Harris, the leader’s vocalist-daughter, on “Please Send Me Someone to Love.” The well-meshed rhythm section has Frank Potenza on guitar, Luther Hughes on bass and Paul Kreibich on drums. These cats have created a jazz-blues classic.

If you like your jazz tinted with gospel, blues and soul, you gotta love Gene Harris' two-fisted piano work.

Track listing:

1     Put It Where You Want It     5:34
2     Magic Lady     4:05
3     Blues March     10:56
4     Bird's Idea     4:44
5     Walkin' With Zach     6:50
6     Jive Samba     5:48
7     You've Changed     6:11
8     Guess Who     5:21
9     Listen Here     11:36
10     Please Send Me Someone To Love     4:51

Personnel:

    Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Ernie Watts
    Bass – Luther Hughes
    Drums – Paul Kreibich
    Guitar – Frank Potenza
    Organ – Jack McDuff*
    Piano – Gene Harris
    Tenor Saxophone – Red Holloway
    Vocals – Niki Harris*