CD - Harry Connick Jr - Your Songs

Reviews, By Star1, 30th October, 2009

Harry Connick Jr has to be one of the world’s leading Jazz singers of today and this is reinforced by new record Your Songs. I must say, his voice is intoxicating and his appearance invigorating.

Harry Connick Jr was born in New Orleans on September 11th 1967 and the age of five he began performing for family and friends and appeared on his first jazz recording at age ten. Harry left New Orleans for the Big Apple at 18. Within a year he released his self-titled major label debut for Columbia Records.

Apart from being a maestro musician and vocal perfectionist, Harry is a well developed actor, appearing in almost 20 movies, including the box office success Independence Day and in Hope Floats, where he earned a Blockbuster Award nomination for Favorite Actor – Drama/Romance.

He was praised for his character in the television sitcom Will and Grace, playing a doctor and Grace’s love interest, eventually marrying Grace in the later seasons of the high rating series.

On stage the man is magical, capitulating audiences with his combination of vocal and acting abilities. Your Songs, marks the first time in which he has teamed with an outside producer, the legendary Clive Davis, and features his arrangements for big band and string orchestra of 14 contemporary standards identified with a range of iconic artists including Elvis Presley, Elton John, Frank Sinatra and the Beatles.

Lifelong friends Branford and Wynton Marsalis and bluegrass guitar virtuoso Bryan Sutton make guest appearances. While reflecting Davis’ strong pop sensibilities, the album also charts Harry’s evolution as both an imaginative musician and a singer capable of putting his own stamp on classic material.

His recent visit to Australia to promote the record was filled with controversy, slamming a Red Faces skit on part two of the Hey Hey it’s Saturday’s Reunion by the Jack Jive as racist. The gentle chastising of the skit made international headlines. Harry was forced to cancel public appearances due to death threats received after his public disapproval.

The record, though, is a lovers must. A classy romantic romp that really touches the heart and soul.

Harry Connick Jr, Your Songs, is available through Sony.

Listen to Mona Lisa from the album here: