Harry Connick Jr. - Oh, My Nola
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Free Music Notes for Oh, My Nola
Free Music Review: Another exceptional Harry Connick, Jr. release
Hit: 4 Stars
OH,MY NOLA may be Harry Connick Jr.'s most superb big-band release in years. It is obvious from the very first track, first listen, that OH,MY NOLA is definitely on a different level than the good, though not nearly as exceptional 2004 release, ONLY YOU. OH, MY NOLA feels very true to Connick's Louisiana roots in its sound and it's overall concept. Connick's piano riffs/lines are much blusier with the obvious influence of gospel and funk music within the sound. This is inherently obvious on the opening track, "Workin' in a Coalmine" where the classic number feels like the 1970s funk of the late, great Maynard Ferguson's big band. The horns are sounding ferocious, Connick is sounding bluesier and even more soulful than he ever has, and everything is first rate.
"Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey" has the signature "Connick-sound" with a more jazzy feel than "Coal Mine" had. Connick's piano work is as creative and as low-key and plunky as ever. The extended instrumental introduction allows Connick some improvisatory room, moreso than most of his songs tend to showcase. The dissonant horn riffs somehow eventually resolve to consonance making "Bill Bailey" standard Connick territory. "Something You Got" resurrects the funky-blues of "Workin' on a Coal Mine", only it takes the feel to brand new heights. Here Harry truly puts on a show- background vocalists, James Brown worthy horn-riffs, and a killer groove with hints of organ! Connick is 3 for 3.
"Let Them Talk" turns out to be one of my very favorite tracks continuing with the "Nawlins sound". It slows the pace down for the first time and features a six-feel groove that is reminiscent of Percy Sledge's "When A Man Loves a Woman". The southern element and feel of this music is perhaps what makes OH MY NOLA feel more energized than ONLY YOU. Don't get me wrong, I liked ONLY YOU, but it wasn't my favorite Connick release. "Jambalaya (On The Bayou)" continues to assert Connick's souther pride while "Careless Love" feels like it should be the hymn missing from the Baptist Hymnal. "All These People" and "Yes We Can" sees Connick honing in on classic R&B ideals. "Yes We Can" in particular is on my top five from this album with its exceptional vocals and background vocals. Just fantastic, 8 for 8.
"Someday" opts for a jazzier, "standard" feel while "Oh My Nola" opts for a strictly New Orleans-style equipped with tuba within the instrumentation harkening back to the sound of Fletcher Henderson's big band. Trombone smears and glissandos, brilliant trumpet, bluesy piano riffs, and a big tuba sound make this number hot. "Elijah Rock" stands out because it essentially variations on the classic "Dry Bones". "Sheik of Araby" and "Lazy Bones" seek to keep the jazz tradition alive, while "We Make A Lot of Love", "Hello Dolly", and "Do Dat Thing" in the album on a positive note. There isn't one bad song, but I enjoy the ealier ones the most personally.
Overall, OH, MY NOLA is a very fine album. 4 stars.
Free Music Review: Connick Comes Back Swinging for an Infectious Tribute to His Hometown
Hit: 4 Stars
Although Michael Bublé seems now poised to take the mantle of Sinatra the crooner, Harry Connick, Jr. does not appear to want to let it go since he was the one first anointed heir apparent with his swinging vocals on the "When Harry Met Sally" soundtrack. With his acting career in full swing (most recently as Grace Adler's errant husband Leo on "Will and Grace") plus notable Broadway credits for "The Pajama Game" and "Thou Shalt Not", Connick seems to have the advantage when it comes to replicating the all-around entertainer Sinatra was. This time, he comes back to his New Orleans roots for a jazzy, upbeat tribute to help resuscitate the city's musical legacy post-Katrina.
For the most part, the selections are flavorful treats enlivened by the good spirits involved, especially Connick's swaggering performance on keyboards and vocals. Some tracks take on more of a big band sound such as Huey Cannon's "Won't You Come Home, Bill Bailey?" and Hoagy Carmichael and Johnny Mercer's "Lazy Bones". Relatively unfamiliar tracks like Raymond Anthony Myles' "Elijah Rock", Chris Kenner's "Something You Got" and Dr. John's "Careless Love" capture much of the feeling of the area. Even the tried-and-true songs like Allen Toussaint and Lee Dorsey's "Workin' in the Coal Mine", Hank Williams' "Jambalaya" and Jerry Herman's "Hello Dolly!" get revitalized in sharp arrangements.
With its sauntering nightclub tone, Dave Batholomew and Pearl King's "Someday" actually sounds more like an outtake from the "When Harry Met Sally" soundtrack. And perhaps because I prefer the soulful four-part harmonies offered by the Pointer Sisters' more churchy 1973 version, I think Connick's take on Toussaint's classic "Yes We Can Can" is a little too loping for my taste. Connick contributes four original compositions on the recording of which the Dixieland-infused title tune, "Oh, My Nola", and the horn-heavy closer, "Do Dat Thing", fit more seamlessly into the program. The pointed commentary of "All These People" and the 1960's-style anthem pop of "We Make a Lot of Love" sound rather anomalous by comparison. Overall the disc is an infectious worthwhile tribute well worth a listen.
Free Music Review: Nice easy listening stuff
Hit: 4 Stars
Once thought of being the possible savior force of classical jazz, multi-talented pianist, actor, composer, arranger and singer Harry Connick Jr. more often than not travels the less perilous road of blending musical influences into something we might call middle-of-the road pop-jazz.
However, his melange (gumbo?) is often surprising and uplifting, so whether he covers ancient jazz or pop classic, he often comes across fresh. This is a nice easy listening album, although I wouldn't necesarily recomend it to die-hard jazz fans...
Free Music Review: Harry shows his roots!
Hit: 4 Stars
In the couple of months I've had it, this has become one of my favorite CD's. Harry Connick, Jr. covers more than a dozen classic New Orleans R & B songs, including "Working in a Coalmine", "Something You Got", etc. as well as a great new original, "All the People" about the people he encountered at the Convention Center in the wake of hurricane Katrina. I'm looking forward to seeing him next week on tour to promote this CD, it should be a great show.Free Music Review: HARRY BRINGS BACK OLD FAVORITES WITH STYLE
Hit: 4 Stars
What can you say about Harry. Another great one to ad to my and your collection. Harry sings songs that you may remember as a child, (if you were born before MTV),with his own style and grace. And the Amazon price is also very nice.