Customer Reviews

Occasion

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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.

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!

This album is fantastic but I was expecting more Harry. Obviously he's on every track, it is his album after all, but Branford really steals this album. His sax is great, and this album made me a fan of his. I love Harry, but some of his piano on this disc is too simple and at times it blends in so much you almost forget its there. All around good album.

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!

This is absolutely phenominal music. Two jazz giants playing and improvising together; it's just impossible to re-create. A must-buy for the jazz connoiseur. This CD is complex and sophistocated, yet it works great as mature background music for a nice dinner party...or if you're just trying to impress someone!

Wow, I could go on for days about this album. The instrumentation is perfect, even just being a piano and a sax. Any more would almost certainly detract from the musical freedom that's so obvious in these songs. Each section of each song speaks, and has its own flavor, section for section. After a run through or so, you'll be able to easily identify each song, an occasional difficulty for newbies to jazz. The melodic lines really shine on this work, too. A lot of improvisational jazz is pretty much devoid of a solid, workable melody, replaced instead by a rambling string of notes that's not cohesive enough for the lay listener. Of course, there are a few good jazz solos to be heard, but they are just that, solos, and they embellish the song instead of taking it over, add to the mood (take the "Valentine's Day" solo at 2:26). If you're into jazz, this album's outstanding, and if you're not, listen to it and try not to appreciate two guys pulling off the same (or more) as a full band.
My faves: Occasion, Spot, Remember the Tarpon, I Like Love More, Valentine's Day (this one was really enjoyable; the tension is obvious from the first note - a bit of humor, perhaps, in naming it so)

I love Harry Connick Jr. I really discovered him about 5 years ago and love his music. I have all his albums and also saw him in person. Great piano player. Never disappointed by his music. great to listen as background while hitting the keys on the computer . Any time is great listening to Harry.

Harry Connick Jr has had some true Peaks&Valleys over His Career. He made some truly forgettable Albums&then He got into the Hollywood Game.the Acting.this is Cool hearing Him with Branford Marsalis.it's a good fit&good chemistry.Harry is headed into the right direction here.this Album is cool.

A great CD for all you Jazz fans. The more I listen to it, the more I like it.