I've got to admit when I first heard these records I didn't know what to make of them. I'm like a lot of people. My first HCJ records were the early big band ones and I thought we'd get more of the same in '94. When the bass notes dropped in on "She" I remember saying to myself, "What is this?" Both these records grew on me I must say.
But you know what? Those are two of my favorite records of his. They remind me of my life at the time and I'm surprised that after breaking them out again after several years I still know the words. It surprised me to think about how much I must have listened to them at the time. Hearing them now, I recognize that they were musically and technically strong. But there's something else.
Is it me or did the New Orleans sound start showing up more in the big band music that came on later records? It was distinctly part of "With Imagination, I'll Get There" and a couple of cuts on the first Christmas record but was woven through most everything else from "Come By Me" on.
There are probably folks with more musical savvy than I have out there so I'm all ears if anybody cares to reply.
ClayBusby
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Clay,
I am with you 100%. When "She" was released, I didn't know what to make of it at first. Not that I was disappointed with it, but it wasn't what I was expecting. But I was really digging the new direction. Then "Star Turtle" came out, and I thought I was prepared, but was taken by complete surprise by that one, as well.
They are, by far, my favorite Harry albums to date. I don't think that a week has gone by that I have not listened to at least one, if not both. I also really enjoy springing these on fellow musicians from time to time. The look of surprise on their faces when it is discovered that it is HCJ is priceless.
I do think that he has let more of his New Orleans roots come out in subsequent albums, and I love that trend. And as much of a fan I am of him and his orchestra, I also hope one day to get another "band" album from him. I know that "She" went platinum and "Star Turtle" went gold. I think that a vast majority of the general public relates Harry as a crooner, and more jazz centric. So maybe my dreams will be unfulfilled, but if that is the case, I definitely am happy with falling back on these two excellent albums.
Booze-
Thanks for the reply. A lot of CD's don't make it through my periodic purges of old, unwanted CD's. But "She" and "Star Turtle" always do.
HCJ's versatility is one of the things that makes him a great, great musician and performer.
ClayBusby