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Harry Connick Jr. has a rare gift for summoning the style of classic 1940s saloon singing, hinting at Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and especially Dick Haymes, without engaging in actual impersonation. What's more uncanny still is his songwriting, an idiomatic command of the standards that often summons some of the rhythmic ease of Gershwin, the tunefulness of Jerome Kern, and the wit of Cole Porter. Both his singing and songwriting talents are evident on this CD, recorded in 1990 when Connick was just 22. Its emphasis is squarely on the subject of love, both on the ballads and some harder swinging tunes, and Connick's voice shines on original songs and the standards "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" and Porter's "It's All Right with Me." Connick's voice and piano are ably supported by bassist Ben Wolfe, drummer Shannon Powell, and a string section, while there are some good jazz solos by regular associate Russell Malone on guitar and guest Branford Marsalis on tenor and soprano saxophones. --Adam Rains

Tracks - Disc 1

• We Are in Love
• Only 'Cause I Don't Have You
• Recipe for Love
• Drifting - Harry Connick, Jr., Shaiman, Marc
• Forever, For Now
• A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square - Harry Connick, Jr., Maschwitz, Eric
• Heavenly
• Just a Boy
• I've Got a Great Idea
• I'll Dream of You Again
• It's All Right with Me - Harry Connick, Jr., Porter, Cole
• Buried in Blue

More Information

• Studio - Sony
• Publisher - Sony
• Label - Sony
• Binding - Audio CD

Format Information

• Enhanced

Amazon Product ID: B000002743