Customer Reviews

She

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Harry Connick's "She" is the most creative example of funk music available...and it happens to be my favorite Harry Connick album (I have them all). It's also better than "Star Turtle", Connicks other attempt at funk, because of the interesting artists he collaborates with, including Booker T. The album is innovative, interesting, and some of the later tracks could be classified as experimental. However, if you like his more common Sinatra-style big band & swing tunes, stick with "Come by Me" or "To See You", and you may be disappointed with this.

The first five songs are great - more traditional examples of funky jazz than the rest of the album. I especially enjoy "She" and "Between Us", two upbeat (non-experimental) jazz tunes. The only song on this album you're likely to hear on the radio is "Whisper Your Name", another upbeat signature-style tune which was featured in the absolutely horrible & disturbing 1991 movie "Hudson Hawk".

But the genius in this album lies in the last 9 tracks, which were conscientiously arranged to flow together seamlessly. In this respect, it is similar to "Star Turtle", in which the songs follow a story line. However, these nine songs on "She", which represent the bulk of the album, play as if it were one long song/composition - unlike the "Star Turtle" & the first five songs of "She", these tracks do not quite sound right if listened to individually. These tracks are true experimental funk, interacting with unique instruments, poetry, sound effects, & dialogue. It takes nearly 45 minutes to hear them all together, but it's quite an experience, and I'm unaware of any other contemporary musician who arranges music this way.

Other recent/similar attempts at interesting funk-jazz are the "Get Shorty" Soundtrack (primarily arranged by Booker T) and some of Moby's work, including the MobySongs album. "Star Turtle" by Connick is also a good album, but not as funky as "She".

While Harry Connick Jr. is generally know for his big band sound, I found this change to be a pleasant one. I am a huge fan of all of his work, this album included. By far, the best songs on the c.d. are "She", and "Whisper Your Name". This album has great songs, and shows Connick's versatility as a performer. I highly recommend this album to everyone, especially Connick lovers.

This is a CD I just can't live without. I've owned this album for the better part of the last decade and it has never ceased to sound fresh, funky, and fun.

This is not big band Connick. This is well-done 70's funk-influenced rock-tinged music.

When I first listened to this CD I was disappointed because I was expecting the Big Band style music and I was tempted to return this CD but I read some of the reviews on Amazon and gave it a chance. After listening to it again I'm glad I didn't make the mistake of returning it. This is an excellent CD and it proves what a versatile musician Harry Connick Jr. is.

I recently rediscovered this CD in my collection and I've played it to death ever since! This is my FAVORITE Connick CD. I love his mix of Dixieland/New Orleans Jazz and funk. This is a must have for any Connick fan and I don't know why it wasn't more popular than it was when it came out. This is classic Harry and I do find myself wishing he'd release another album such as this.

His stuff is always good, from the big band to his Christmas album which is a keeper. This one is different, subtle yet powerful once the songs play enough to get under your skin.

A few, including title cut, and "To Love the Language" and "Here Comes the Big Parade" are indicative of the wide range of stuff that this guy and the great band that backs him can pull off with success.

Critics and fans, who were used to Harry Connick Jr.'s big band jazz, didn't know what to make of this raucous album of funk, rock, and dixieland. For the most part they wrote it off as something of an indulgence, a foray into Connick's New Orleans roots that amounted to a diversion from his more 'serious' work. This is too bad, because it has caused many people to overlook one of the most original and enjoyable recordings of the nineties.

The composition and arrangement is brilliant, but this album is first and foremost about groove. The mood ranges from hyperkinetic mardi gras dance numbers to spare funk laid so far back it feels like it might topple over. But the groove is always rock-solid, acting as the centrepiece of each tune. The vocals, horn lines, and solos don't rest on TOP of the groove so much as become PART of it. This is an album that makes you want to grin an bop along, but you're just as likely to find yourself singing a bass line or organ riff as a melody.

The musicianship is top-notch, from the tight, understated drumming, to the eloquent wah-wah guitar, to Connick's own wizardry at the piano. The lyrics are wry and thoughtful, and even the two weirdly nonhuman spoken word interludes seem to work. This album is sophisticated yet accessible, genre-spanning yet cohesive, accomplished yet easygoing, and above all, huge fun.

Don't buy this if you don't want your Connick with some funk. Look for Sinatraesque big band somewhere else.

This album is one of the most fun, creative, interesting albums I have ever heard from a mainstream artist. I can't recommend it highly enough.

I don't know what it it about this album, but ever since my brother gave me a copy on cassette I have never tired of it. Of course, I now have the CD and I find myself reaching out to it again and again. If you think Harry's just about swing and crooning, this album will set you straight. Easily one of my favorites. It really kicks butt and rocks your socks off. I still can't believe it's Connick.

it's my favorite album from any artist. It's not traditional Connick, if that's what you're looking for, but if give his funk sound a chance- it's wonderful, and great fun.