The outstanding and internationally renowned vocalist,
guitarist and composer Allan Harris sums up his personal perspective on music
in clear and straightforward terms. “There is nothing that I have found that
defines and gives credence to my place in this wild and mysterious universe
than this thing called music.” Harris exemplifies that statement perfectly with
his stunning new album Nobody’s Gonna Love You Better (Black Bar Jukebox
Redux), his eleventh album following on the heels of his highly acclaimed 2015
release Black Bar Jukebox.
For this, Harris takes an even more eclectic approach,
drawing upon the wide range of music that he heard growing up in Brooklyn, and
feasting on the expansive palette of the Harlem cultural landscape. “My new
album captures some of the varied sounds and feelings that have shaped my
growth as an artist. I had not one style to heavily rely upon when putting
these tunes together, but only my young memories of music, people and events.”
Nobody’s Gonna Love You Better is a bold statement that
builds upon the entire breadth of Harris’ already esteemed reputation,
demonstrating his enormous versatility within the full scope of his highly
creative musical vision. Swinging jazz, rich R&B, sumptuous balladry,
wailing rock, rumbling blues and even a touch of playful Brazilian are all
woven seamlessly into the tapestry of a musical odyssey that is all Allan
Harris. With a deeply resonant baritone/tenor voice that is soulful, richly
expressive and flawless in both intonation and phrasing, Harris displays a
total command and fluency in every context.
Back from the previous album are the GRAMMY® Award-winning
producer Brian Bacchus and Harris’ longtime keyboard cohort Pascal Le Boeuf (on
acoustic and electric pianos, and Hammond B3 organ), whose deep understanding
and empathy for Harris’ music creates a marvelous sense of intimacy and shared
joy of expression. Pascal is also the primary instrumental soloist and delivers
in an inspired fashion throughout. Joining Pascal in the exceptional rhythm
section are Russell Hall on acoustic and electric bass, Shirazette Tinnin on
drums and cajón, and Freddie Bryant on both electric and classical guitar.
Together, with Harris also on acoustic, electric and resonator guitar, they
provide impeccably flawless support, whether driving, embellishing, shaping or
enhancing the settings as ideally suited to the intent of the music.
The delightful repertoire includes four Harris originals, a
couple of American Songbook gems, a pair of jazz classics, and re-imaginations
of hit songs from Jimi Hendrix, Steely Dan and Spiral Staircase. As he does
with every lyric, Harris pays proper homage to those who have provided the
inspiration for his own highly personal sound, specifically here to Ray
Charles, Nat ‘King’ Cole and Eddie Jefferson on three individual items.
On “I Remember You,” Harris channels Nat (a subject of an
earlier Harris tribute project) in a beautifully touching rendition with
brilliant piano support throughout, as well as a solo that glides in the
territory where Red Garland and Erroll Garner meet. “Ruby”–from the Ruby Gentry
film score, and a major hit for Ray Charles–is satin-smooth balladry over an
old-school swing-jazz groove, complete with Bryant’s Freddie Green-like guitar
strumming. For the iconic “Moody’s Mood For Love,” Harris takes the concept of
making an often-performed song one’s own to an entirely new level, offering a
totally fresh interpretation–in rhythm, phrasing and lyrical structure–to the
Eddie Jefferson classic. The Stan Getz/João Gilberto hit “Doralice” is a
deliciously infectious samba, sung by Harris in Portuguese, and featuring a
fine acoustic solo by Bryant.
The three popular song re-imaginations include a somewhat
up-tempo blues shuffle take on Hendrix’ “Up From The Skies,” with Harris in a
neatly syncopated groove over LeBoeuf’s funky B3. Pascal’s Hammond organ sets a
bright tone for a bouncy swing version of Spiral Staircase’s mega-hit “More
Today Than Yesterday” and Steely Dan’s “Any Major Dude Will Tell You” gets a
transformation (and relocation) from Americana to Harlem, shifting smoothly
between brisk syncopation and atmospheric rubato.
The four Harris originals aptly demonstrate that he is as
skilled a composer as a vocalist–and his lyrics are moving, heartfelt and
poetic. The album opener “Mother’s Love (Nobody’s Gonna Love You)” begins on a
poignant, emotive and dramatic note before morphing into a vibrantly swinging
excursion. Its bookend closer “Secret Moments” is a lovely, gentle and lushly
evocative ballad, while “Swing” is a powerfully syncopated and punchy romp.
Provocative, confrontational and rousing best describes “Blue Was Angry (from
the Cross That River song-cycle). Hard-edged, fiery and with a message of
barely-controlled ferocity, it flies over a rip-roaring rhythm section and
Harris’ raw electric guitar. It may be unexpected by Harris’ large fan base,
but it’s deeply emotional and on point.
Over the past 20 years, Harris has steadily developed his
reputation as one of the finest vocalists of his era. Brooklyn-born and
Harlem-based, he has forged his sterling credentials through his ten previous
albums, covering a broad range of contexts, all netted together within the rich
territory of the jazz tradition. In addition to his recordings, he has
performed on a worldwide stage that has taken him to prestigious international
festivals and halls in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, as well as the 2012
Olympics in London. At home, he has toured nationally at festivals and top
venues, including New York’s Lincoln Center and D.C.’s Kennedy Center. He has
received numerous awards, including the New York Nightlife Award for
“Outstanding Jazz Vocalist” (which he won three times), the Backstage Bistro
Award for “Ongoing Achievement in Jazz,” the Harlem Speaks “Jazz Museum of
Harlem Award,” and the DownBeat Critic’s Poll Award for “Rising Star Vocalist.”
Nobody’s Gonna Love You Better (Black Bar Jukebox Redux) will continue to build
his legacy as another milestone in the extraordinary artistic aesthetic of
Allan Harris.
Upcoming Allan Harris Performances:
August 28 | Charlie
Parker Jazz Festival | New York, NY
September 3 | Fox Chase Jazz Festival | Menasha, WI
September 23 & 24 | Columbia Club | Indianapolis, IN
September 28 & 29 | Smoke Jazz & Supper Club | New
York, NY
October 8 | McAnnich Arts Center | Glen Ellyn, IL
October 14 & 15 | South | Philadelphia, PA
October 18 | Jazz at Lincoln Center, Rose Hall | New York,
NY
October 25 – November 20 | Australia/Europe Tour | Various
Cities
December 21 & 22 | Dazzle Jazz Club | Denver, CO
December 28 – January 2 | Umbria Jazz Festival | Orvieto,
Italy
Allan Harris · Nobody’s Gonna Love You Better (Black Bar
Jukebox Redux)
Love Productions Records/Membran Entertainment · Release
Date: September 16, 2016
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