Harry Connick, Jr.'s 'Your Songs' Blends Pop, Jazz

General Review - Turkish Weekly - 10/29/2009

Singer, pianist and actor Harry Connick, Jr., is one of today's top interpreters of the Great American Songbook. Harry blends jazz classics with modern pop hits on his new album, Your Songs.

Harry Connick, Jr., has been known to veer off from his usual Songbook fare from time-to-time, but with Your Songs, he's right at home with a comfortable set of familiar pop and jazz tunes.

The album marks the first time Harry has ever worked with famed music producer Clive Davis, or with any collaborator for that matter. According to Harry, Davis was mostly in control from the start. He says Davis wanted to feature Harry as a singer, and worry less about the solos and arrangements. Looking back, Harry says, "I found myself going to places I wouldn't have chosen to go." But, he admitted that being pushed in one direction or another was musically the best thing that's ever happened to him.

Another first is Harry Connick, Jr., singing The Carpenters' classic "(They Long To Be) Close To You."

Two songs on Harry's new album feature noted trumpeters from his native New Orleans, Louisiana: Leroy Jones on "(They Long To Be) Close To You," and Wynton Marsalis on the Elvis Presley ballad "Can't Help Falling In Love." Wynton's older brother Branford plays saxophone on the track "All The Way."

Harry also updates signature songs by Billy Joel, Elton John, Don McLean, Roberta Flack and Tony Bennett, as well pop standards by Jerome Kern, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Jay Livingston, and actor Charlie Chaplin, who composed the music to "Smile" for his 1936 movie Modern Times.

Harry is planning to tour in support of his tenth Number One jazz album, Your Songs, in early 2010.

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