Connick Jr.’s ‘Songs I’ve Heard’ a signature must-hear

Ranesh Maharaj

Harry Connick, Jr.?s latest album, “Songs I?ve Heard,” fulfils every mood. Cornick relaxes in this album and allows himself to naturally flow with the music as he feels happy, silly, childish or sad. Making each piece his very own, Connick expresses his feelings compassionately.

“Song I?ve Heard,” Connick?s 17th album, offers 16 new standard recordings. Produced by Tracey Freeman, who graced Connick?s last and very successful album “Come By Me,” Freeman helps Connick deliver numerous courageous numbers such as “Oompa Loompa,” “Pure Imagination/Candy Man” and “Golden Ticket/I Want It Now,” by L. Brieusse.

In “Golden Ticket/I Want It Now” Connick sings: “I want a golden goose, gooses, geeses. I want my geese to lay gold eggs for Easter, at least 100 a day…” He meets each challenge with ease and gives each song a unique character. His musicianship of jazz music shines in this album.

Connick doesn?t disappoint listeners. With slightly less than 60 minutes of recordings, he brings together an album full of surprising selections along with expected signature vocal performances for fans.

“Maybe” by M. Charnin, “Stay Awake” by R.M. Sherman and R.B. Sherman and “Edelweiss” by O. Hammerstein II, shows Connick?s deep knowledge of jazz. Singing the melodies with a deep saddened tone, he embraces his feelings with his voice with perfection, a remarkable performance that makes Connick a true jazz musician.

Although the album doesn?t have any new songs, Connick?s ability to make each song an experience of his own compensates enough; the vocals are naturally and perfectly crafted together with the instrument?s percussion.

Connick also released the album “30” simultaneously with the album “Songs I?ve Heard.” “30” offers 14 new recordings which is mixed together with new songs and standards.