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Richard Harris: Shades of Blue
ByPlaying the trumpet, flugelhorn and doing some vocals, Harris surrounds himself with a modern sextet and one vocalist on several tracks and begins the music with the soft and somber "Deborah's Theme," a song taken from the film score of the movie "Once Upon A Time In America" featuring pianist Mark Kieswetter in accompaniment followed by adaptation of "O Mio Babbino Caro "Oh My Beloved Father," from the Italian opera by Giacomo Puccini, both of which highlight the leader's warm-toned horn and the solo works of guitarist Jake Reichbart as well as the pianist.
Vocalist Lori Lefevre Johnson enters the picture singing a beautiful version of "Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most" with Harris providing gentle support on a wonderful muted trumpet. LeFevre Johnson also appears on the Bob Thiele/George David Weiss standard "What A Wonderful World" and performs a vocal duet with Harris on the Levant/Heyman classic "Blame It On My Youth."
Guitarist Reichbart is featured in a pronounced role with some gorgeous work on Spanish composer Joaquin Rodrigo's beautiful piece "Concierto de Aranjuez," keeping with the light-textured theme of the recording. Also within this context, the jazz standard "Tenderly," the Gibb brother's pop tune "How Do You Mend A Broken Heart" (featuring the leader on vocals) and the original, "Jackson's Love" are all presented as soft balladic tunes.
All is not delicate and cushy however, as Harris and tenor saxophonist Ben Jannson will attest to on the very upbeat and perky "Dr. Funkenstein's Rx" where the two men let it all hang out on marvelous solo moments that also feature bassist Kurt Krahnke and the drumming prowess of Scott Kretzer. A proponent of the lighter side of the jazz idiom, trumpeter Richard Harris continues his love affair with ballads and heart-felt love songs on the sensuous and tender Shades of Blue, the perfect musical vehicle for an introspective, relaxing and enjoyable personal moments.
Track Listing
Deborah's Theme; O Mio Babbino Caro "Oh My Beautiful Father"; Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most; A Thousand Kisses Deep; Dr. Funkenstein's Rx; Tenderly; How Do You Mend A Broken Heart; Jackson's Love; Concierto de Aranjuez; Blame It On My Youth; What A Wonderful World.
Personnel
Richard Harris
bassRichard Harris: trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals; Mark Kieswetter: piano, electric piano, organ; Lori LeFevre: vocals; Ben Jannson: tenor saxophone; Jake Reichbart: acoustic guitar, electric guitar; Kurt Krahnke: acoustic bass, electric bass; Scott Kretzer: drums.
Album information
Title: Shades of Blue | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: Self Produced