In addition
to writing the bulk of reviews and articles for the website
I also occasionally do other blues related writing. A number
of the website reviews have been published in other periodicals
plus I have written liner notes and essays for a number
of projects. If you would like to use any articles on the
website or are looking for a writer for a blues related
project please send an e-mail.
Recent writings/projects
(files open as word documents):
Cleveland
Fats: The Way Things Go
(2006)
Liner notes written
by Jeff Harris. The fourth outing by Cleveland Fats
backed by an all-star cast including Robert Lockwood
Jr. and Billy Branch. Fats mentored under Robert Lockwood
Jr., spending nearly twenty years backing Lockwood.
Cleveland Fats’ blues are built on tradition. From
the invaluable lessons he learned from Lockwood, the
years he spent absorbing the styles of the blues legends,
Fats has crafted his own style, making a name for
himself as a torchbearer of the real deal blues.
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Coupe
de Villes: Burnin' Live At WITR (2006)
(2006): Recorded
live on the Bad Dog Blues show on WITR Radio. Blurb
written by Jeff Harris and Gary Reinhard. The Coupe
de Villes are one of Rochester's finest blues and
R&B outfits and have been tearing up the clubs
for the past twenty years. The Coupes (as they are
commonly called by their fans) have molded their own
unique sound, blending the pure emotion of Chicago
blues with the driving power of rock. The result is
a hot mix of passionate vocals, rock solid rhythm,
and scorching, yet tasteful solos. "Burnin' Live
At WITR" is the band's third release and first
live recording. More details at the Coupe de Villes
website.
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Encyclopedia
Of The Blues
(2005)
The Encyclopedia
of the Blues is the first comprehensive two-volume
set devoted to the blues from its antecedents in African
and American traditional music to the contemporary
styles performed today for audiences of all races
and classes. In over 2,100 entries all aspects of
the blues are explored from performers and musical
styles to record labels and cultural issues, including
regional evolution and history. Entries range from
brief, fact-based summaries to comprehensive, analytical
articles. 15 artists biographies written by Jeff Harris
including entries on Bumble Bee Slim, Doctor Clayton,
Lafayette Thomas, Earl Hooker, Pee Wee Crayton and
Jimmy "T-99" Nelson.
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Blues,
Blues Christmas (2005)
11 page booklet written
by Jeff Harris who also compiled all the tracks for
the Document label. A comprehensive collection of
jazz, blues, boogie-woogie and gospel recordings dedicated
to the season. With lively Boogie-woogie and R &
B, reflective blues and the odd cautionary sermon
thrown in for good moral measure, this double CD covers
all the bases. Collects 52 numbers spanning from 1925
to 1955, many of which have not been anthologized
before. Artists include Bessie Smith, Leroy Carr,
Rev. J.M. Gates, Butterbeans & Susie, Lonnie Johnson,
Roy Milton, Larry Darnell, Cecil Gant, Lightnin' Hopkins
and many, many others.
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Prowling
With The Nighthawk (2005)
10 page booklet written
by Jeff Harris including previously unpublished research
for the Document label. Robert Nighthawk was one of
the blues premier slide guitarists playing with a
subtle elegance and a fluid, crystal clear style that
was instantly recognizable. Nighthawk influenced a
generation of artists including Muddy Waters, B.B.
King, Earl Hooker and Elmore James. This CD collects
26 sides spanning from 1937 to 1952 cut for Bluebird,
Decca, United/States and Aristocrat.
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Keith
Harden: The Bad Dog Blues
Sessions
(2005)
The basic tracks
were performed live by Keith Harden on "The Bad
Dog Blues" radio show WITR 89.7 FM, Rochester,
NY on three separate dates, January 24th, 2004, September
26th, 2004 and July 10th, 2005. The show was co-hosted
by Gary Reinhard and Jeff Harris [engineer and blues
historian]. Overdubbing and remixing were done at
Pleasant Street Studio, Geneva, NY. Available at all
of Keith’s live gigs. More details at the Keith Harden
website.
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