Customer Reviews

To See You

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Just to clear this up because it's bugging me, the one star comment was slightly inaccurate in regards to songwriting; Harry's writing is actually pretty clever when you look at works in Blue Light Red Light, We Are in Love, and the Star Turtle concept album, to name a few. This particular album, as explained in the liner notes, is a CD solely dedicated to love, and the many forms thereof. If you're looking for a "When Harry Met Sally"-esque swing, or a "She" funk sound, stay away from this bad boy. "To See You" is the type of thing you put on during a candelight dinner or something romantically similar. If I were to point out a flaw, it would be the tendency to sound similar song-to-song, but I'm thinking that was the intention. The orchestration on top of the jazz quartet and, of course, Harry's jammin' voice makes for a very romantic CD indeed. If you could express the feeling of love in notes and words, this is a pretty accurate example.

What's the best part of the Cracker Jack? The peanuts of course. Everyone loves the peanuts because they are delicious. However, when the Cracker Jack peanuts were marketed as just peanuts without the popcorn, the product didn't perform well. It seems the peanuts' appeal is diminished when taken out of the Cracker Jack formula.

This album is filled with wonderful songs, and fine performances. The arrangements and ensemble playing are top notch. The vocals are, of course, outstanding. Any track by itself is a true gem.

You put all this together, and it becomes too much of a good thing. Too much of the same kind of music, same tempo, same dynamic, same instrumentation. It makes me drowsy, even though I recognize that the music on the thing is outstanding.

The reason why composers write symphonies with four contrasting movements is because the human mind just can't take that much of the same thing without becoming bored. A coherent artistic product has to have some variety to be interesting as a whole. The best albums mix moods, styles, tempi to keep the listeners interest. To see you's weak point is that it is too much of the same thing.

However, the songs are really excellent, and if you want some unobtrusive background music for a romantic dinner, you can't beat this. It seems a shame to relegate this to background music though, because the songs are so good.

I know Harry is super talented, but this album seems to be maybe too much of a good thing. It is definitely subtle and somber, and I think it can verge on monotonous. I hate to make Harry background music, but that is really what this cd is good for. Songs wane and meander too much for the average listener. Like it or not, there is something about being able to "predict" music that makes it likeable. This is great mood music behind a formal dinner party or a romantic evening, but one should be warned not to listen to it in the car - you'll likely fall asleep at the wheel! But it was a wonderful effort, Harry. Truly a generous and classy composer and artist.

I almost never write reviews, but I have to go out of my way to say what an amazingly warm and wonderful album this is.

I put it on again last night, having purchased it in 1997. This album continues to amaze me. The atmosphere it creates is warm, loving and comforting. But that is just the surface. The lyrics are intelligent, the musicianship inspired and it leaves the listener entirely fulfilled.

It has become a favorite of mine through the years. It has also become a favorite pre-bedtime listen for my 6 month old daughter! Well worth it.

If "Love Me Tonight" were the only song on this CD, it would be miraculous. Harry has been led astray a time or two, but this entire album is amazing. My favorite of his many albums. Moody, quiet, lush and romantic. This album is subtile, but powerful just the same. The orchestration and arrangements are some of the best on any modern jazz album. Whew!

I was sitting through a very average movie whose only attraction was David Schwimmer when all of a sudden I was captured by the dulcet tones of Harry singing a song I had not heard before. I rushed from the cinema and went straight to the CD store where I found "To See You". That night and for every night for the next month I went to sleep with Harry. He says he made this album after a enquiry by a fan made him realise he had no definitive romantic album to his credit. Well now he has and what an album it is. I can't even pick a favourite song because they are all fabulous. If you love Harry you need this CD. If you've never heard of Harry, get acquainted with this. If you have never liked him much, you'll change your mind after this.

Very bold of Harry to put forth all his own works without benefit of standards or "crowd pleasers" from his usual repetoire. Not every number works completely, but there is still an awful lot of good jazz on here.

Nice, too, that he doesn't hog the spotlight with vocals. There's a lot of excellent instrumental music in here, too...the tracks are long and luscious and an interesting and welcome departure from what we have typically come to expect from this solid artist.

A nice surprise and a CD you will enjoy.

It took three plays for me to decide I love this one. It's now my favorite Connick CD. It sounds better if you're feeling a little blue or missing someone when you hear it, that way the music matches the mood. Let Me Love Tonight and Let's Just Kiss are the best, followed by To See You.

"To See You" is one of those discs that is so good that time does not make it fade from view. Connick as a composer and song stylist is actually quite experimental, remarkable given that he seems to be working within a fairly narrow genre of slow romantic jazz. On "Once," Charles Goold's languid tenor sax blows through the track like a gentle breeze. "Heart Beyond Repair" traces similar musical terrain. Connick gives the band tremendous latitude on which he layers his aching vocals, "All the edges worn & frayed, magnifying love betrayed." Reginald Veal's bass sounds like it's inspired by Jaco Pastorius with delightful horns and strings giving "Love Me Some You" a slow swinging sound. "In Love Again" likewise has some tremendously inventive arrangements, "I'll get off the road when my heart explodes." "To See You" is an inventive set that continues to wear well. Enjoy!

It took three plays for me to decide I love this one. It's now my favorite Connick CD. It sounds better if you're feeling a little blue or missing someone when you hear it, that way the music matches the mood. Let Me Love Tonight and Let's Just Kiss are the best, followed by To See You.