a review: your songs by harry connick, jr.

i had the chance to review harry connick, jr.’s new release your songs, which hit shelves sept. 22. aside from the free cd, i didn’t receive any compensation for this review – and it’s my honest opinion.

i enjoy jazz, but i don’t consider myself a connoisseur of jazz. the soundtrack of my life doesn’t resemble the best of jazz. life with a toddler and newborn just isn’t that calm. but, i love the chance to hear new music, so when offered the opportunity to review harry connick, jr.’s new cd your songs, i seized it.

i thought the cd would be especially fun because each track is a remake of an “oldie by goodie,” including songs originally performed by frank sinatra, elvis, the beatles, nat king cole, to name a few. i figured any re-do of these classics would have to be smashing, right?

this album doesn’t disappoint.

my first chance to listen to the tunes was on my way to a doctor’s appointment for ava, with both kids in tow – admittedly, not the best occasion. i didn’t think i was distracted, but left the car feeling flat, like something was missing by hearing someone other than elvis (or my husband) croon can’t help falling in love with you in my ear. initially, i felt connick’s voice wasn’t deep enough to satisfy my memory of many of the originals.

however, as i’ve continued to listen to the cd, i've really enjoyed it. harry's voice is different, but not incapable of singing with the same pizzazz as the original performer. and, because it’s a jazz cd, he can get away with singing the songs a little more mellow-y and not quite so deep.

and the instrumentals. for this album, harry performs complete with a full jazz big band and string orchestra. as a former saxophone player (in jr. high school – ha!) i love hearing the sax solos. the music behind the vocals is reason enough to buy the cd. i love it!

this album is a great addition to our itunes mix. and, a great addition to our next romantic dinner – after the kids are in bed, of course.

if you need some pizzazz in your music collection, i recommend you check out your songs by harry connick, jr.

Album Tracklisting (Originally performed by):
All The Way (Frank Sinatra)
Just The Way You Are (Billy Joel)
Can’t Help Falling In Love With You (Elvis Presley)
And I Love Her (The Beatles)
(They Long To Be) Close To You (The Carpenters)
Besame Mucho
The Way You Look Tonight
First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Roberta Flack)
Your Song (Elton John)
Some Enchanted Evening
And I Love You So (Don McLean)
Who Can I Turn To? (Tony Bennett)
Smile (Charlie Chaplin)
Mona Lisa (Nat King Cole)