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Live In Tokyo~Barry Harris | By Eddie Carter

In April 1976, Xanadu Records recorded three live albums in Japan featuring an all-star quintet including alto saxophonist, Charles McPherson, and guitarist Jimmy Raney. The tapings resulted in Charles McPherson Live In Tokyo, Jimmy Raney Live In Tokyo, and this morning’s choice from the library that was the first performance by pianist Barry Harris. Live In Tokyo (Xanadu 130) documents concerts at two locations, Yubin Chokin Hall and Nakano Sun Plaza with the ensemble’s rhythm section featuring Sam Jones on bass and Leroy Williams on drums.  It was Harris’s second record for the label and my copy used in this report is the 1976 US Stereo release.

The set opener, A Soft Spot is a lively tune from Barry’s pen that leaves the ground and starts flying from the melody into a swinging solo of fire by the leader.  Leroy follows with a stunning interpretation that’s right on the mark leading to a spirited finale. The trio slows the pace for Round Midnight, the timeless jazz standard by Bernie Hanighen, Thelonious Monk, and Cootie Williams.  As the song’s only soloist, Harris gives a stylishly, sensuous reading that’s hauntingly moving, and stands up to other versions of Monk’s most recorded tune.

Tea For Two by Vincent Youmans and Irving Caesar was written in 1924 and introduced in the Broadway musical, No, No, Nanette, that year.  Barry gives a nearly minute solo introduction before taking off on a full-speed run through the opening melody and first reading.  Leroy engages in a vigorous exchange with Harris preceding the hard-hitting coda.

Bud Powell’s Dance of The Infidels is a midtempo swinger that closes the first side on an upbeat note and allows each member, solo space.  Powell composed the song in 1949, and first recorded it for Blue Note Records.  The trio takes a brisk approach to the tune with a splendid theme treatment.  Harris kicks off the solos with a feisty opening statement possessing a carefree zest.  Sam is up next with a short reading that hits its target like a sharpshooter.  Barry shares the final solo with Leroy who executes a passionate exchange before the closing chorus.

I’ll Remember April is a beautiful song by Gene De Paul, Patricia Johnston, and Don Raye that was composed in 1941, making its debut in the 1942 comedy, Ride ‘Em Cowboy.  The threesome brings a little sunshine to this treasured tune with an easy beat on the main theme.  Harris picks up the pace with a cheerful, effervescent first statement, then Jones swings softly on a passionately conceived presentation.  Barry and Williams make an indelible impression with a blissful resolution on the closing reading that arrives at a very gratifying conclusion.

Barry takes a moment to make a sincere and heartfelt Dedication In Japanese to the crowd.  He follows with a beautiful solo composition also devoted to the audience titled Fukai Aijoh which means Deep Love.  Harris expresses personal feelings in an elegant interpretation of tenderness and subtle finesse into a delicately gentle ending.  The final selection is the 1951 jazz standard, Un Poco Loco by Bud Powell beginning with a brisk theme treatment in unison leading to Barry’s aggressive opening solo of astonishing ferocity.  Leroy has the last word with a concise reading of compelling power before the pianist’s vivacious out-chorus preceding a thunderous ovation by the concert crowd.

This album and its two companions were produced by label founder Don Schlitten and recorded by Japanese sound engineer, Shinji Ohtsuka.  Live In Tokyo is a sonic treat with an exceptional soundstage of the piano, bass, and drums, and though the LP length is just short of forty-three minutes, the listener will feel they’ve received their money’s worth on the strength of the performances.  Now that I’ve got this album, I’ll be seeking the other two to add to my library, and if you’re a fan of piano jazz or trio jazz, I invite you to audition Live In Tokyo by pianist Barry Harris.  It’s a fun listen, and a title I’m sure you’ll enjoy in your library!

~ Dance of The Infidels (Blue Note 362-1); Charles McPherson Live In Tokyo (Xanadu 131); Jimmy Raney Live In Tokyo (Xanadu 132) – Source: Discogs.com ~ I’ll Remember April, Round Midnight, Tea For Two – Source: JazzStandards.com ~ Dance of The Infidels – Source: The Complete Bud Powell Blue Note Recordings (1949-1958) Mosaic Records MR5-116 ~Un Poco Loco – Source: Wikipedia.org © 2020 by Edward Thomas Carter

Synopsis

Live in Tokyo is a live album recorded on April 12 & 14, 1976 at Sun Plaza Hall in Tokyo, Japan by pianist Barry Harris and released on the Xanadu record label. The session was produced by Don Schlitten. Harris contributed two songs to this swinging, straight-ahead album, A Soft Spot and Fukai Aijoh in addition to his Dedication In Japanese.

Track Listing | 41:09
  1. A Soft Spot – 5:46
  2. Round Midnight (Thelonious Monk) – 5:58
  3. Tea for Two (Vincent Youmans, Irving Caesar) – 4:45
  4. Dance of the Infidels (Bud Powell) – 5:43
  5. I’ll Remember April (Gene de Paul, Patricia Johnston, Don Raye) – 8:39
  6. Dedication in Japanese – 1:15
  7. Fukai Aijoh – 4:09
  8. Un Poco Loco (Powell) – 6:14
Personnel
  • Barry Harris – piano
  • Sam Jones – bass
  • Leroy Williams – drums

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