Search - Ken & Harry Watters :: Brothers III

Brothers 3 review by Lee Prosser / www.JazzReview.com

01/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"CD Title: Brothers 3 Year: 2003 Record Label: Summit Records Style: Straight-Ahead / Classic Musicians: Ken Watters, trumpet and flugelhorn. Harry Watters, trombone. Tom Wolfe, guitars. Erik Applegate, acoustic bass. Jay Frederick, drums. (Percussion on "Our Eyes Are Watching.") Special guest artist: Bill Anschell, piano. Review: BROTHERS III is jazz entertainment on a big scale. Every song is filled with great solo work. Ken Watters and Harry Watters are masters of their instruments, and this is a jazz CD collection which showcases the individual talents of each brother.
There are 12 songs in the collection. In addition to original compositions by Ken Watters, and Harry Watters, there are other songs which will entertain the jazz listening audience such as "You're My Everything," and "The Very Thought of You." This is a highly enjoyable album because it allows the individual artists to soar with their solo visions. Musically, this is as near-perfect straight-ahead/classic performances as you will find anywhere in recent years. Take a listen to the superb guitar work of Tom Wolfe on "Whitesburg Bridge," and you will discover some of the finest lyrical guitar stylings around in contemporary jazz. Ken Watters is the perfect performer on trumpet and flugelhorn. Harry Watters is the perfect performer on trombone. "Harmon Field," "Sometimes A Shadow," and "Our Eyes Are Watching" are three of the finest jazz compositions to come down the pike in a very long time, and each song sizzles with life and vitality! For some pure jazz entertainment listening pleasure, this is a fine choice for the home CD library or as a gift for a friend. Highly recommended. Flawless. Ray Noble's "The Very Thought Of You" is one of the best renditions of this song available, and like every song in this collection, these are classic performances by some of the finest musicians performing jazz music today. Bill Anschell's piano stylings are memorable, and a perfect blend for the superb performances of Ken Watters and Harry Watters. Erik Applegate is a topnotch acoustic bass performer and Jay Frederick makes his drums sing! Fine entertainment!"

Jim Santella's AllAboutJazz.com review

01/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Brothers III
Ken & Harry Watters | Summit

Their most adventurous album to date places the Watters brothers in a position to lead. Today's jazz world contains many directions all at the same time, and its umbrella continues to grow. However, the spirit that drove Buddy Bolden will not fade.
Ken & Harry Watters ensure that tradition remains a clear and central part of their plan. Their compositions contain the foundation that has served jazz for over a century. Syncopation, improvised expression, exotic impressions, and plaintive cries weave their powerful threads through Brothers III. Ken and Harry have provided most of the compositions. While Harry's background is clearly traditional/conservative and Ken's background has ventured more toward the avant-garde in jazz, they make beautiful music when their talents are merged. Smooth, harmonious chords mingle with vibrant dissonance and exotic rhythms. This quality is especially apparent on "Our Eyes Are Watching," where the ensemble emanates universal appeal through its grasp of sincere emotion. A perky harmonic array balances the ensemble's contemporary, laid-back attitude. Together, the brothers forge trails that lead to higher ground. Ken's clarion trumpet tone and creative edge blend naturally with Harry's superb trombone foundation and fluid movements. On Erik Applegate's "Another Reply," for example, the brothers combine their instrumental voices in perfect balance for a few minutes of magic. Complemented by a stellar rhythm section, the brothers share solo space with piano, bass and guitar. Tom Wolfe's acoustic and electric guitars, in particular, provide interesting shades and hues to enhance the session. During "The Very Thought of You," for example, he colors lovely - yet conservative - trumpet, trombone, and bass solos with contemporary fills and hot, leading-edge counterpoint. With this highly recommended album, Ken & Harry Watters have proven that a wide range of musical tastes can share the same jazz umbrella. ~ Jim Santella / AllAboutJazz.com"

Brothers 3 / review by Glenn Astarita / AllAboutJazz.com

01/27/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Brothers III
Ken and Harry Watters | Summit

While his brother Harry was serving in the armed forces, Ken Watters produced the exceptional Southern Exposure. Now Harry is back and Brothers III has crested the horizon. Brothers and Brothers II established the trumpet/trombone front line in the band, characterized buy a fluid, vibrato-less tone. This gives the group a shimmering sound that is at once plush and edgy. The most of the tunes are originals and are rhythmically challenging without being unlistenable. Harry comes back with fine solos on "Overflow" and "the Very Thought of You." Brother Ken whips out the flugelhorn, deepening the low brass effect where applied.Every Watters Brothers disc has a surprise. Brothers had "The Girls Back Home." Brothers II had a cover of the Jesus Christ Superstar tune "Everything's Alright." Now, Brothers III has a brief, straight treatment of "Free Bird," of all things. For this fine band, it's just perfect. The entire band is in fine form and this listener can only hope for more music like this. Bravo Watters."