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Elly Roberts reviews

Harry Connick Jr: Harry For The Holidays

Distributed by
Columbia (Sony Music)

    Cover
  • Cat.no: 5147852
  • Released: November 2004
  • Rating: 2/10


Twelve years ago I went to see Harry Connick Jr in concert at the Carling Apollo in Manchester.

Principally, because I love the big band sound. Connick has released some superb Jazz-Swing albums in his time.

In concert he is band leader, pianist, drummer, song and danceman. He was simply sensational. However, this release doesn’t work. Doing a covers album is fine by me, and four originals, (he had a crack at one in 1993 - When My Heart Finds Christmas) but this one smacks of over working the standards.


Typically, the production is meticulous; it’s the arrangements that let it down. You get that feeling straight from the start with an over zealous Frosty The Snowman as it bounces along in an haphazard way. He does an ample job of killing some great songs, in particular, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (who can forget Bruce Springsteen’s definitive version), George Benson’s Nature Boy, with Little Town Of Bethlehem being a total disaster. Unusually for me, I find it very grating, and the Crimbo feel-good factor is virtually missing.

Ones that do work are: ballads Blue Christmas, and I’ll Be Home For Christmas. Only standout track is I’m Gonna Be The First One.

Ill-conceived and badly-executed by one of the best in the business.


The full list of tracks included are :

1. Frosty The Snowman
2. Blue Christmas
3. The Christmas Waltz
4. I Wonder As I Wonder
5. Silver Bells
6. Mary Little Boy Child
7. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
8. The Happy Elf
9. I’ll Be Home For Christmas
10. I Come With Love
11. Nature Boy
12. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
13. I’m Gonna Be The First One
14. This Christmas
15. Nothin’ New For The New Year
16. Silent Night

More info at Harry Connick Jr.com

Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2008.

For prints of any of Elly's concert pics online, email Elly or call 07765 862017.

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