Jr. Harry Connick - Only You

Having long been unfairly dismissed as an ingenious Sinatra impersonator in some critical quarters, it's easy to see why Harry Connick, Jr., has been reluctant to record the sort of pop standards cover album that's become the career refuge of rock artists as diverse as Bryan Ferry and Rod Stewart. But that's exactly what the New Orleans pop revivalist has done here on a slate of familiar chestnuts from the 1950s and '60s. But there's a notable conflict at work between Connick the arranger/conductor and Harry the pop crooner. The former seems eager to infuse his charts with the sort of restless, reinventive musicality he's displayed on recent works as diverse as the stage foray Thou Shalt Not and the neo-bop jazz instrumental collection it inspired, Other Hours, bringing to bear arranging influences as diverse as Ray Charles and Nelson Riddle. But the oft Sinatra-smitten vocalist cruising over those masterfully stripped-down arrangements and bluesy, laconic tempos still seems sometimes reluctant to step out of The Chairman's long shadows--and occasionally basks in them, as on the repeated "Jilly" references in "My Blue Heaven." Still, it's artistically head and shoulders above most marketing-driven retro collections, an album that should delight the Connick faithful with its jazzy arrangements and bittersweet takes on the title track and "I Only Have Eyes For You"--and maybe win a few new converts willing to forgive the periodic genuflection to Sinatra. --Jerry McCulley Amazon.com

Not up to Harry's best standards

I'm a bit disappointed as I really like Harry. He sounded untrained on this CD, perhaps a bit lazy. He's still candy for the eyes but on this one the ears are on Splenda. September 16, 2008

Good music

Received this item quickly and in good condition. This is my first Harry Connick Jr. CD. Enjoyable item. June 16, 2008

Not cutting it

Connick Jr. is definitively multitalented individual ; he can really swing like a first class jazz musician and he can smoothly fall into the line with the great American pop tradition...
This is an album of the latter, neo-sinatrian group, but it's just not good enough... March 9, 2008

"Only You" by Harry Connick, Jr.

I love the hauntingly mellow voice of Harry Connick, Jr. This is one of his best! February 29, 2008

LOVE IT!!

I truly love this cd! I can listen to it over and over... Very romantic but one can also listen to it just for fun! September 10, 2007

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