Harry Connick, Jr. - Oh, My Nola (CD)

Oh Me Oh My Nola!

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Feb 4, 2007

Pros: Connick has shown that he can cover nearly any genre of music on this release.

Cons: The "Exclusive Tour Edition" only allows chances to get advance tickets for select concerts.

Harry Connick, Jr. is an actor, a thespian, a composer and a musician. What can't he do? Well, if this excellent new release is any sign, there is likely little that he can't do. "Oh My Nola", and its equally impressive companion piece, "Chanson du vieux carre", show that Harry Connick, Jr. is a true musician. It should also be noted that, like the new release from Mos Def, a lot of website managers apparently failed to check Connick's official website. His website noted that these two releases were put out on January 30, 2007. But many websites decided to leave the release date in late 2006. This ismore proof of why it is wiser to check the artists mainwebsite if one wants to get the correct release dates for new releases.

The song selections on this release show both Connick's true love for New Orleans (his home city) and for music in general. That is shown from the very beginning, with the Allan Toussaint song, "Working in The Coal Mine". This is not a piece that would exactly be classified as jazz. But as he writes in the liner notes, it is a song that everyone knows. He even shows his abilities in country music with the classic Hank Williams song, "Jambalaya (on the bayou)." There is even a nice gospel piece in "Elijah Rock." Connick writes in the liner notes about this piece, that gospel music has had such a big influence on him throughout his life. That is evident in the way that he and his group performed this piece. It sounds juet like a real gospel song with the organ and entire group.

These pieces, along with Connick's own compositoins such as the hard hitting song, "All These People" (which he writes is about what he saw after Katrina hit) and the fun dixieland stylings of the title track, make "Oh My Nola" one of the best records of the year overall. It can't be classified solely as jazz since Connick covers more than jazz on this recording. It is a wonderful addition ot the collection of ny true fan of Harry Connick, Jr., and an equally impressive introduction to those who may have never listened to his music.

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Feb 2, 2007

You mean Harry Connick Jr isn't a country singer?

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Feb 1, 2007 | 0 out of 1 found this Oh, My Nola review helpful

Pros: good fusion of jazz and folk blues and big band music,great vocals

Cons: none really

I honestly thought Harry Conick Jr was a country singer. So when I heard this record on AOL's live CD preview, I was blown away! He sings bluesy jazz? wow!

This CD is really well balanced - songs from the big band era, jazz, funk, blues and cajan feel are all performed with amazing agility. I'm still new to this type of music, so I can't give a brilliant synopsis of the performer, but I can say this is a great break from the metal music I usually listen to!

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Dec 13, 2006