Harry Connick, Jr. – Only You

Artist: Harry Connick, Jr.

Title: Only You

Label: Columbia

Rating: 5/10

Corporate Line: All twelve songs on Only You are delivered with Connick’s unique blend of taste, imagination and passion. He turns the Drifters hit “Save the Last Dance for Me” into a swinging ballad, drops a hint of samba into “My Blue Heaven” and calls upon solo cello to realize the mood of “My Prayer.” “I was trying to deal with the colors of each piece — the hues, for lack of a better word,” he explains. “All of the writing was done that way, using just what was needed.” Examples abound, none better than the soulful section work concertmaster Bruce Dukoff evoked from the string players on “My Prayer” and Jerry Weldon and the rest of the Connick band’s saxes deliver on “Goodnight My Love.” “I gave Jerry the lead on ‘Goodnight My Love’ because he just understands that type of playing,” Connick emphasizes, and it is Weldon who takes the majority of the horn solos throughout the disc, with Jimmy Greene’s tenor featured on “Only You” and Dave Schumacher’s baritone on Allen Toussaint’s “All These Things.”

The Good:
“For Once In My Life” – If Connick kicked it up a notch this would have been daring and truly his own. Instead it comes off as a good cover song.

The Average:
“Save The Last Dance For Me” – Connick has always performed with a certain amount of wit and daring – that’s what’s lacking here.
“More” and “The Very Thought Of You” – Connick’s versions are yawners.
“Only You” – So slow you feel like you’re waiting for the next word to come with each tick of the beat.

The Ugly:
Outside of being at a snails pace it’s not impossible to listen to.

Frankly: Harry Connick Jr. could have performed these songs better than this. It’s a let down considering the phenomenal songs he covers. Connick should have kicked the songs up a notch and made them more interesting. Connick performed the songs to please audiences instead it comes off as slow, and uninteresting. Connick should have stuck with that sense of humor and daring to given fans the spark that is missing here.

+ Rae Gun