Harry Connick Jr. may be most famous as a singer and film actor, but he’s also an accomplished jazz pianist, and it’s that talent he aims to spotlight on 30. There are tracks that display Connick’s smooth vocalizing backed solely by his own adroit self-accompaniment -- “I’m Walkin’," “The Gypsy,” “ Way Down Yonder in New Orleans,” “Junco Partner,” “Don’t Fence Me In,” “Don’t Like Goodbyes,” “If I Were a Bell,” and “I’ll Only Miss Her (When I Think of Her”) -- but the rest feature Connick’s rhythmically dexterous solo piano playing. (He’s joined by Ben Wolfe's bass on “If I Were a Bell,” and Rev. James Moore's stirring vocal and organ work on “There Is Always More Time”; trumpeter Wynton Marsalis also slips in a tasty solo and obbligato on “I’ll Only Miss Her (When I Think of Her”), nearly eclipsing his host in the process. Connick makes a witty piano stylist, ever aware of how unpredictable rhythms and crafty phrasing can enliven a performance. As fleet on “Chatanoooga Choo Choo” as he is sly on “If I Were a Bell,” Connick charms as an instrumentalist. His singing, no surprise, is equally compelling.
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TRACK LISTINGS
1 I'm Walkin' 2:48
2 Chattanooga Choo Choo 3:39
3 Somewhere My Love 7:09
4 The Gypsy 5:31
5 If I Were a Bell 6:55
6 Way Down Yonder in New Orleans 3:45
7 Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Ole Oak Tree 4:10
8 There Is Always One More Time 3:52
9 New Orleans 4:01
10 Speak Softly Love 4:02
11 Junco Partner 6:10
12 Don't Fence Me In 3:58
13 Don't Like Goodbyes 3:20
14 I'll Only Miss Her When I Think of Her 8:51
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