Occasion

Harry Connick Jr. | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 14, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Marsalis Music
• ASIN: B0009A1AGY
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #115,688 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This new recording by pianist/vocalist/actor Harry Connick recording on Branford Marsalis's label, is a delightful and diverse, thirteen track saxophone/piano duet. In this setting, these New Orleans homeboys display their dizzying interplay and invention with the kind of ease that can only come from years of friendship. Marsalis’s throaty tenor and silken soprano lines blend beautifully with Connick’s Errol Garner meets Thelonious Monk and Professor Longhair pianisms. On "Valentine’s Day" and "Virgoid" Connick’s left hand is steady, with a trace of the Latin tinge. It's beautifully contrasted by the the Broadway-type tunes, "I Like Love More" and "All Things." The pianist's performance on Marsalis’s "Steve Lacy" – an atmospheric elegy to the late sax giant – and the boppish title track -- proves that, to the contrary, familiarity breeds good jazz, not contempt. It also reminds us that there’s more to Connick than Independence Day, When Harry Met Sally, or Hope Floats. --Eugene Holley, Jr.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "On OCCASION it's magic!", August 13, 2005

By 

TucsonJohn (Tucson) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Occasion (Audio CD)

I knew Branford Marsalis was an incredible musician, but I thought Connick was another story. Some decent acting now and then and an OK singing voice. But my wife loved his piano, so I bought her this CD (which I'm playing again as I type this). Marsalis wrote both the title song and "Steve Lacy" and Connick penned the rest. My sincere apology to Harry C--you are indeed an immensely gifted musician! From the dark and haunting "Chanson du Vieux Carre" and the pensive "Steve Lacy" to the light and spirited "Brown World," this saxophone-Steinway duo is perfect jazz. If OCCASION were a vinyl LP, I'd have worn out my turntable!

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another good Harry outing, June 16, 2005

By 

CKevin (Tulsa, OK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Occasion (Audio CD)

Every album from Harry is different from the one before. Sometimes the experiment doesn't work (like that Star Turtle thing) but most are great. This one's really good. Very low production, just Marsalis and Harry playing together. But they're both excellent. Wonder why Branford doesn't get more billing on this project, on many of the songs he carries the melody line. No matter, it's a good effort from both.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Connick is a brillliant pianist, November 10, 2005

By 

Ariella Vaccarino- creator of "Voice Lessons ... (Los Angeles, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Occasion (Audio CD)

I saw a concert with Connick a few years ago in which he went from piano to piano on stage and played so amazingly. Before that I never knew what an amazing musician he was, )I had thought of him mainly as a singer). This CD totally shows off what Harry can do. We all know about Marsalis's mastery but know we hear how Connick can match up with the best with out even using his voice. Awesome!