Jesse Harris Albums (6)
What The Critics Say
Jesse Harris' seventh album, Feel, arrived at a major moment in his career: less than a month after its release, the soundtrack to The Hottest State, the Ethan Hawke film for which he wrote all the music, also came out. Because the soundtrack included performances by such notables as Emmylou Harris, Feist, Willie Nelson, and Bright Eyes, it solidified Harris' reputation as a songwriting it-boy. But if Feel had secured the kind of attention The Hottest State or that other noteworthy album Harris wrote a lot of songs for -- Norah Jones' Come Away with Me -- on its own, no further solidification of it-ness would have been necessary. The songs on Feel coax you into doing just that, and fully; a little thinking might happen along the way, too. As a performer, Harris, who comes off as a faded-jeans, neurosis-free kind of guy, is intimate, though not always in the quiet way usually associated with the word. And musically, he blends folk, rock, jazz, and world rhythms into a sophisticated but familiar-sounding brew. Highlights on a record that will be remembered for its light touch and unerringly human lyrics include the rousing title track, the elegant "You and Me," and the playful "Walk On." ~ Tammy La Gorce, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Like Norah Jones, who recorded his "Don't Know Why," Jesse Harris is sometimes classified as jazz. In his case, he is actually a modern-day folksinger whose music crosses over into pop and is only jazzy in spots despite the participation of Larry Goldings (mostly on organ) during Mineral. The music on Mineral is introverted, pensive, and quiet with Harris mostly sticking to acoustic guitar and singing softly about love. He sticks to his own fresh material other than the ancient folk song "Corrina Corrina," and despite the lack of variety, his fans (and those of Norah Jones) will find much to enjoy on this laid-back and heartfelt outing. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Guitarist Jesse Harris' sophomore solo effort, While the Music Lasts, finds him deviating little from the thoughtful country-jazz style of his first record. Once again featuring the laid-back distorted lead guitar of Tony Scherr, the album is awash in ballads, Latin numbers, and soft rock that fans of Harris have grown accustomed to. While Harris' sensitive-guy persona, dippy lyrics, and slight voice may not appeal to everybody, the music of his band, the Ferdinandos, is tastefully rootsy and marginally edgy, and dresses up Harris' blander qualities nicely. Fans of vocalist and Harris compadre Norah Jones may be slightly disappointed that she only appears here on some background vocals, nice as they are. On the upside, Harris has brought in the big soft-focus guns of fellow guitarist Bill Frisell, who fits perfectly into the twang-jazz vibe on his two tracks. Similarly interesting are Van Dyke Parks' string arrangements peppered throughout the album. ~ Matt Collar, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Fans of Jesse Harris' Grammy award-winning work with Norah Jones may be surprised by The Secret Sun. Harris' long history of work with his band the Ferdinandos has a similar laid-back singer/songwriter vibe to Come Away With Me, but where pianos and acoustic basslines punctuated the Norah Jones album, Harris relies on subdued guitar distortion and countified twang. Much like fellow singer/songwriter Josh Rouse, Harris seems to be sweetly smiling while singing, and his summery melodies drift out across the acoustic guitars and gentle brushwork (courtesy of drummer Kenny Wollesen), giving the whole album a contemplative Sunday afternoon feel. The pace picks up in the driving "You Were on My Mind" and the rootsy "All My Life," but never breaks out into full "rock" mode, seemingly content to coast on a dusty August breeze. Although Miss Jones herself makes an unobtrusive appearance on the Jayhawks-y ballad "What Makes You," The Secret Sun is clearly Harris' album. Hopefully listeners will be able to enjoy it as such, and Harris will be able to be recognized on his own as opposed to being "that one guy who plays guitar in Norah Jones' band." ~ Zac Johnson, All Music Guide
'Jesse Harris and the Ferdinandos'
Release Date 7/6/1999
Tracks 8
Label Undertow
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Songwriter-guitarist Jesse Harris won the 2002 Grammy for Song of the Year for his song "Don't Know Why," the hit single from Norah Jones' best-selling debut Come Away with Me. It was a well-deserved award, but the song was already at least four years old by that point, having led off Harris' own 1999 debut album. Harris (also the lead guitarist in Jones' band) doesn't sing the tune as well as Jones does, unsurprisingly, but his voice (oddly reminiscent of the young Jackson Browne) is pleasant, and the ultra-spare arrangement, mostly just Harris' voice and electric guitar throughout, is an intriguing recasting of the song for those familiar with Jones' more ornate, piano-based version. Unfortunately, "Don't Know Why" is clearly the highlight of Harris' songbook; songs like the gently loping "I Don't Want to Change Your Mind" and the vaguely jazzy "It's Alright to Fail" are pleasant coffeehouse folk, but nothing more. Jesse Harris and the Ferdinandos is a passable debut, but those who want to explore the rest of his catalog after being charmed by "Don't Know Why" might be vaguely disappointed. ~ Stewart Mason, All Music Guide
