Come On Down! / The Reason Why I'm Talking S--t (2-CD)

by Eddie Harris

Description by OLDIES.com:

Two fantastic albums by the vastly underrated jazz genius Eddie Harris. Come On Down! was originally released by Atlantic in 1970 and it reached #40 on the Billboard Black Albums Chart and went all the way to #8 on the Billboard Jazz Albums Chart. The Reason Why I'm Talking S--t is the accompanying album and it features a collection of the jazz legend's hilarious banter taken from various live performances.

Product Description:

Personnel: Eddie Harris (electric saxophone); Cornell Dupree, Joe Diorio, Jimmy O'Rourke (guitar); Ira Sullivan (trumpet); Dave Crawford (piano); Odell Brown, Billy Carter (organ); Donald "Duck" Dunn, Bradley Bobo (bass guitar); Paul Humphrey, Tubby Ziegler (drums); Calvin Barnes (percussion); Ronald Muldrow (unknown instrument).

Recording information: Minneapolis, Minnesota; Evanston, Illinois; Criteria Studio, Miami, Florida (1970 - 1976).

Eddie Harris received a lot of critical flak in the 1970s from jazz purists for his experiments in hard-driving soul-jazz and his forays into stand-up comedy. Those jazz purists should avoid this two-disc set, which brings together a couple of Harris albums from the era. COME ON DOWN! is a sweet, groove-oriented outing featuring original compositions and some fine blowing from Harris. THE REASON I'M TALKING S**T showcases Harris as bawdy comic, riffing on extended dirty jokes while his band chimes in now and then to break up the monologues. This is by no means Charlie Parker, but it has its place.