Name: Down Home Blues
Brand: Concord Jazz
SKU: 41220
Availability: OutOfStock

Down Home Blues

Rating

Album: Down Home Blues
#	Song Title		Time
1)	Down Home Blues Album Version	More Info...	7:00
2)	J & G Blues Album Version	More Info...	9:33
3)	Soft Winds Album Version	More Info...	7:54
4)	Time After Time Album Version	More Info...	4:45
5)	Blues For Big Foot Album Version	More Info...	7:27
6)	Smack Dab In The Middle Album Version	More Info...	5:50
7)	You Don't Know What Love Is Album Version	More Info...	5:01
8)	Stormy Monday Album Version	More Info...	4:50
9)	Cayenne Blues Album Version	More Info...	7:17

Album: Down Home Blues
#	Song Title		Time
1)	Down Home Blues Album Version	More Info...	7:00
2)	J & G Blues Album Version	More Info...	9:33
3)	Soft Winds Album Version	More Info...	7:54
4)	Time After Time Album Version	More Info...	4:45
5)	Blues For Big Foot Album Version	More Info...	7:27
6)	Smack Dab In The Middle Album Version	More Info...	5:50
7)	You Don't Know What Love Is Album Version	More Info...	5:01
8)	Stormy Monday Album Version	More Info...	4:50
9)	Cayenne Blues Album Version	More Info...	7:17

Performer Notes

Personnel: Gene Harris (piano); Jack McDuff (Hammond B-3 organ); Curtis Stigers, Niki Harris (vocals); Ron Eschete (guitar); Luther Hughes (bass); Paul Humphrey (drums).
Recorded at Capitol Studios, Los Angeles, California on December 11 & 12, 1996. Includes liner notes by Dan Morgenstern.
Personnel: Gene Harris (piano); Curtis Stigers, Niki Haris (vocals); Ron Eschete (guitar); Paul Humphrey (drums).
Audio Mixer: Phil Edwards .
Liner Note Author: Dan Morgenstern.
Recording information: Capitol Studios, LA, CA (12/11/1996-12/12/1996).
Photographer: Bruce Burr.
The deep, soulful blues that these two masters and their supporting cast lay down is as rich with tradition and groove as the title suggests. Upon listening, it's hard to believe this is the first time the two have collaborated on such a project. Dripping with taste and finesse, their playing styles compliment each other so well it would seem this has been a lifelong partnership.
Exploring both instrumental and vocal blues mediums (with the help of vocalists Niki Harris and Curtis Stigers), Harris's piano and McDuff's B-3 swing and sway through nine tracks of standards and originals. From the very traditional "Down Home Blues" and "Stormy Monday" to the funky "Smack Dab In The Middle," the groove remains upbeat and constant. The lightly swinging "Time After Time" and the delicate "You Don't Know What Love Is" prove to be superb interpretations of these classics. Hefty contributions by guitarist Ron Eschete, drummer Paul Humphrey and bassist Luther Hughes complete the groove to make this disc one of the best marriages of jazz and traditional blues around.

Professional Reviews

Down Beat (3/98, p.64) - 3 stars (out of 5) - "...Harris and...McDuff have such empathetic sensibilities, they make an ideal pair....both are hearty bluesmeisters..."