Jack Bruce - Harmony Row (16 tracks) +Album Reviews

Finally!!

N. Wakabayashi | Jawsey | 05/02/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I don't know who had the idea to remaster & reissue Jack Bruce's back catalogue, but for longtime fans, the move was brilliant. Also a LONG time coming, as many of these albums(for compact disc) were only available as imports(such as Songs for a Tailor), or on [internet store] at ridiculous prices. Of all the out of print albums done by Jack Bruce, this one was the one that was highly sought after by fans & collectors, (although I would recommend his first solo album, Songs For a Tailor beforehand). Although he (and Ginger) will ALWAYS be overshadowed by the commercial success of Clapton, albums such as this give a strong argument as to who had more "success" artistically/musically post-Cream. It's ambitious, challenging, & like his work in Cream... always intense. It's also a showcase for his overall talent, as he handles bass & vocals(obviously), keyboards, & percussion. Has Jack Bruce had a finer album vocally than Harmony Row? (Victoria's Sage? Folk Song?) One can toss aside the old cd's that they probably overpaid for(and it will annoy MANY) w/ these new reissues. These are the definitive versions of his work, added with the extra tracks(not necessarily essential on Harmony Row..but interesting at times), & fantastic liner notes.A highly recommended reissue!!"

You can finally buy it! Can I give it a 10?

G. Wallace | Hilliard, OH USA | 05/05/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jack's personal favorite among his solo records. I bought it in 1971, the year it came out, at a going out-of-business sale. I bought a CD player so I could play the re-release in the late eighties. That also went out of print soon after but at least CD's take a while wearing out. I don't know quite how to describe the record. It's wildly romantic but it also contains some strange alienated urbanscapes and a dark Latin-inflected closing track based on Lowry's Under the Volcano. It might be my favorite record; certainly it would be one of the desert island ten. The bonus tracks are actually pretty interesting, too. The first transfer to CD in 1988 or so was pretty effective. I'm still making up my mind about this one. Maybe a little more bass, which is a good thing when Jack's the bass player!"

Simply The Finest

G. Wallace | 02/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After the demise of Cream, it was a bit of a shock to listen to Songs For a Tailor. But in a few short months back in 69, it was my favorite album. Then two years later came Harmony Row. Another shock! Why was Jack Bruce forcing his listeners to keep growing, musically speaking? Well, once again, within a few months, Harmony Row was my favorite album in rock. Now, over thirty years later, I still believe it is one of the most brilliant albums in rock history, and the greatest solo album! Jack's voice is simply beautiful. Folk Song and Victoria Sage are haunting and exquisite. Escape To The Royal Wood is majestic. Every song on the album seems to be related, in terms of sound, instrumentation, lyrics, and ability to evoke emotions. This album is not accessible from the start. For a person newly discovering Jack Bruce, give this album time. This is beautiful music and unlike any heard anywhere else in rock.
Simply the best!"

A Pleasent Surprise

Cheddhi J. Thomas | Hockessin, DE USA | 01/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Cream was a great band. I'd bought all of their studio albums and wanted more. So I went out and bought some stuff by Eric Clapton (who I'd assumed was the strongest performer in the band). I was disappointed to find that his music (outside of "Layla", "Cocaine", and "I Shot the Sheriff") wasn't nearly as good as the music of Cream. Since Ginger Baker hardly ever wrote for the band, I figured that I'd try something by Jack Bruce. I purchased this album not expecting much. I was surprised to find that this one album by Jack Bruce is better than anything Clapton ever wrote after Cream. It is a masterpiece. Jack's vocals are outstanding. His bass guitar is insane and is heard constantly throughout the album. The album is also very heavy in piano - which Jack plays beautifully. His guitar and drum players are also quite good. Jack also uses the same lyricist he used in Cream - Pete Brown - so expect some awesome word-work. The songs in the album are all great.

1.Can You Follow - short but sweet, simply Jack and the piano

2.Escape to Royal Wood on Ice - great lyrics, great vocals, great piano.

3.You Burned The Tables On Me - highlight, a heavier song on the album, proof that Jack still rocks, very Creamish

4.There's a Forest - The weakest part of the album but not bad, more of an intro for track 5, just Jack and the piano

5.Morning Story - a highlight, good bass, fast-paced song with piano AND keyboards

6.Folk Song - a hightlight with some haunting keyboard and vocal work

7.Smiles and Grins - a highlight, my favorite, 6 minutes goes by in no time

8.Post War - nice guitar work, like two songs in one

9.A Letter of Thanks - one of the weaker songs, but still good

10.Victoria Sage - highlight, took me a few listens but now i love it

11.The Consul at Sunset - highlight, great song with a groovy latin feel

12-16.The bonus tracks pretty good. The instumental versions of tracks one and two are priceless. The other two are a bit excessive but good to have

The album is a gem. I'm glad I found it and am looking foward to purchasing more of Mr. Bruce's work. If you enjoyed Cream, but crave more, buy this."

A True Musical Masterpiece

G. Wallace | 01/09/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't like throwing superlatives around but if ever there was a CD that deserved them - this is it. I think it's one of the 5 greatest recordings I own - regardless of genre. The poor hearing (or thinking) impaired individual who gave this 1 star is missing a universe of some of the most original, passionate, and beautiful music ever made. This has only gotten better 30 years or so after its initial release. It gets deeper and more joyous with every listening."

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