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Harry Connick Jr. - 30

30 Album Cover
List Price: $11.98
Our Price: $8.59
Your Save: $ 3.39 ( 28% )
Availability: N/A
Manufacturer: Sony
Release Date: 2001-10-23
28 %

Review
After 1988's 20 and 1992's 25, Harry Connick adds another chapter to his series of pared-down piano-and-voice albums. 30 is essentially a man and his keys--you have to wait until the fifth track, "If I Were a Bell," for a bass to finally sneak in. Connick starts things off with Fats Domino's "I'm Walkin'" and continues with another low-down boogie, an instrumental version of the Mack Gordon/Harry Warren song "Chattanooga Choo Choo." The material's fairly conservative (Connick's a traditionalist through and through) and usually fulfills its relatively modest aims--which, after all, is more than can be said about many records. Cole Porter's "Don't Fence Me In," for instance, acquires a nice boogie shuffle. Wynton Marsalis adds understated trumpet to the last track, "I'll Only Miss Her (When I Think of Her)," but the Reverend James Moore's vocals on "There Is Always One More Time" are a little too overheated in this record's minimal context. --Elisabeth Vincentelli
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Customer Reviews
Summary: Moments of greatness with thoughtful contemplation
Overall Rating: Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5
Comment: Harry Connick, Jr. remains a star in the entertainment industry; but this particular CD fails to bat it completely out of the ball park. Although there are many moments of greatness on this CD, some songs fall short of what I expected.

The CD starts off with Harry Connick, Jr. both singing and playing the piano for "I'm Walkin'." Harry's plays the piano here without a superfluous note and his youthful energy oozes out of his very masculine voice. Indeed, his voice has a certain sensitivity to it that simultaneously displays a noticeable strength at the same time. "I'm Walkin'" certainly gets the royal treatment from Harry!

Harry then plays a creative rendition of "Somewhere My Love." Trust me; if I had played some of those notes when I was taking piano lessons as a kid my music teacher would have killed me! "Somewhere My Love" works but it doesn't work well and that's a disappointment.

And now back to a good number. "The Gypsy" boasts a solid and haunting piano arrangement and Harry sings this to perfection. Harry brings out the romantic feel to this number seemingly effortlessly--good job!

"Tie A Yellow Ribbon On The Old Oak Tree" is another successful track from Harry; although he doesn't sing this number he plays piano with a great sensitivity that I rarely enjoy.

Other gems on this CD include "Speak Softly Love" from the film entitled The Godfather; Harry plays this with a great energy while so many performers do this as a softer ballad with more subtle nuances. Harry's rendition works well. "Don't Fence Me In" showcases Harry's voice quite well and Harry's piano arrangement is perfect. I especially like that Harry sings the typically unheard opening verse of "Don't Fence Me In."

"I'll Only Miss Her (When I Think Of Her)" features Wynton Marsalis playing both piano and trumpet; Wynton starts off playing the piano and if you listen carefully you really can hear Harry sliding onto the piano bench to continue the piano playing for the rest of the number. Just like the case with "Somewhere My Love," there are again a few key changes that I don't care for; but overall the number works.

The liner notes give you an essay from Harry himself; and you get the song credits as well. Look for Reverend James Moore to both sing and play the organ on "There Is Always One More Time." Reverend Moore's artistry definitely enhances the beauty of this number and takes "There Is Always One More Time" up to a higher level.

Overall, a true Harry Connick, Jr. fan will consider this CD a "must-have" for their collection; and people who enjoy that jazzy type of piano playing will love this CD, too. The track set is not as strong as it could be; but this show proves anyway that Harry Connick, Jr. will perform for quite some while to come.

Summary: Can't recommend this one
Overall Rating: Average rating of 2/5Average rating of 2/5Average rating of 2/5Average rating of 2/5Average rating of 2/5
Comment: For starters, if you love Connick's croon you don't get it very much on this album. It's primarily a showcase for his work on the ivories.

Those who know Connick well realize his capacity on the instrument and his ability to re-invent dusty classics and make them new again. (His take on "Sleigh Ride" from WHEN HARRY MET SALLY was a great example.) Unfortunately, most of these numbers, while experimental, just don't work that well in the end.

Case in point: Harry's attempt to inflate 70s piffle "Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Ole Oak Tree" into grand player piano roll music. He succeeds in making it sound "old" but not in imbuing it with elegance..it's simply a fluffy piece of pop music and the arrangement only succeeds in demonstrating the lack of substance underneath the fluff in the Tony Orlando rendition.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Gospelly "There is Always One More Time" gets a lot of its punch from Reverend James Moore's vocals and organ playing. Porter standby "Don't Fence me In" gets a nice Nawlins' shuffle and a relaxed vocal from Connick.

LOWS:
"I'm Walkin'" completely enervates the Fats Domino classic of all its drive and forces this listener to realize how much that song's greatness derives from Domino's exuberant singing and the Dave Bartholomew rhythm section. Bleah. "The Gypsy" is a complete yawn. The aforementioned "Tie a Yellow Ribbon" is another miss.

BOTTOM LINE:
I got this one for free as a promo while working as a record store clerk. It was worth what I paid. Skip this one.
Summary: Funky and playful
Overall Rating: Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5
Comment: I enjoyed his previous album, "25," which was a similar type of album: playful, pared-down and intimate, showcasing Connick's natural singing and piano skills. I particularly enjoyed that and also this album, "30." Connick's singing style is easy and strong, without being too processed or smooth; I particularly liked songs which showcase his imaginative and offbeat renditions on the piano, such as "Chattanooga Choo Choo" and "Somewhere My Love." These were refreshing and I wish more artists had the talent to showcase their takes on songs without "having" to sing a note. This is a thoroughly enjoyable album and I hope more listeners understand what he is doing with it -- and really "get" it.
Summary: move over frank sinatra
Overall Rating: Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5Average rating of 4/5
Comment: Harry Connick Jr. was probably the most soothing music ive heard listened to. it would make a nice present or little party music.
Summary: Love it.
Overall Rating: Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5Average rating of 5/5
Comment: I love it. I gave this CD to my husband for his birthday, but I listen to it at least twice as much as he does!! Bravo Harry!!

Keep up the excellent food for my ears and soul.
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