Paul Harris

Reflecting on the american keyboard player and arranger

I was listening to Stormbringer! the 1970 album by John and Beverly Martyn a few days ago and I noticed something that I hadn't before. On the title track Stormbringer I heard the piano that accompanies the guitar, throughout the entirety of the track. I generally associate John Martyn with his amazing acoustic guitar playing, and my go to album is usually his debut, London Conversation, but his work with his wife Beverly has a laid back style that I really like.

What I noticed about the piano on Stormbringer was it had a distinctive tone and sound that I more usually associate with English singer songwriter Nick Drake, in particular the piano on “One of these things first” on his second album Bryter Later. After a few searches, it became clear that the piano player in question was Paul Harris, American keyboard player, multi-instrumentalist and arranger.

The link between John Martyn and Nick Drake is not new to me, I've read Nick Drake - The biography by Patrick Humphries and the friendship between John and Nick is well documented. The were both signed to Island records and were close friends, Nick was introverted and shy, John outgoing and intense but they enjoyed each others company and spent lots of time together. My understanding is that John felt quite protective of Nick and was there for him when life got hard.

My guess is that through their friendship they both chose to work with Paul Harris on different projects.

Stormbringer was recorded in Woodstock and Paul Harris is credited as producer with Joe Boyd. I didn't know huge amounts about Paul Harris, apart from knowing I really liked his piano playing and sound which, as shown by listening to Stormbringer, is distinctive enough to 'hear' as his. There are a few articles online about Paul, a short Wikipedia entry and a number of references to the different recordings and artists he worked with. These artists include Stephen Stills, B. B. King, Judy Collins, Grace Slick, Al Kooper, ABBA, Eric Andersen, Rick Derringer, Nick Drake, John Martyn, John Sebastian, John Mellencamp, Joe Walsh, Seals & Crofts, Bob Seger and Dan Fogelberg.

I would love to know more about Paul and will be researching to see if there's more insight into his musicianship and life.

Have a listen to One of these things first and enjoy the great sound of Paul Harris.

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