Ken and Harry Watters: Brothers III (2003)

C. Michael Bailey

Senior Contributor since 1997

...wants to know if Gene Harris is playing "Summertime" in Heaven...

Recent articles (1,709 total)

Published: October 10, 2003

While his brother Harry was serving in the armed forces, Ken Watters produced the exceptional Southern Exposure . Now Harry is back and Brothers III has crested the horizon. Brothers and Brothers II established the trumpet/trombone front line in the band, characterized buy a fluid, vibrato-less tone. This gives the group a shimmering sound that is at once plush and edgy. The most of the tunes are originals and are rhythmically challenging without being unlistenable. Harry comes back with fine solos on "Overflow" and "the Very Thought of You." Brother Ken whips out the flugelhorn, deepening the low brass effect where applied.

Every Watters Brothers disc has a surprise. Brothers had "The Girls Back Home." Brothers II had a cover of the Jesus Christ Superstar tune "Everything’s Alright." Now, Brothers III has a brief, straight treatment of "Free Bird," of all things. For this fine band, it's just perfect. The entire band is in fine form and this listener can only hope for more music like this. Bravo Watters.

For More Information, see Summit Records and Ken Watters .

Track Listing: Overflow; Whitesburg Bridge; You

Personnel: Ken Watters

Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream