Harry for the Holidays [Enhanced][Extra tracks]

Harry Connick Jr.

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 28, 2003)
• Original Release Date: October 28, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced, Extra tracks
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000DF00Z
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (85 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #49,575 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Call him the retro Sinatra, the keeper of the big band flame, the swingin' piano man, but Harry Connick Jr., remains one of New Orleans' treasures. His second Christmas CD is as much a salute to his hometown musical roots as it is to the season. Filled with second-line arrangements and fierce horn charts that could blow all that holiday chill back to Canada, Connick's latest revisits upbeat standards such as "Frosty The Snowman," "Blue Christmas," "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," and others. Most swing and romp, but the hymns are given the reverential vocal treatment that Connick is known for on his more secular love ballads. Surprises include a quirky arrangement of "Silver Bells," in what sounds all the world like a Henry Mancini score for an action film. And there's four Connick originals that don't quite match the level of the covers, except for what must be the oddest pairing of talents all season, the duet with country singer George Jones on "Nothin' New For the New Year," an inspired tune and performance from two master stylists. There's nothing quite as lasting as the chestnut he penned on his first Christmas CD, "I Pray on Christmas," but for fans, here's a merry Harry N'awlins holiday love fest. --Martin Keller

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

62 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There's Jambalaya in My Stocking!, November 10, 2003

By	M. B. "femmyv" (TN United States) - See all my reviews

On this album, Harry Connick Jr. and his merry band of men serve up just enough smoothness to lure in the Kenny G fans and then throw in enough New Orleans syncopation, swingin' and in-your-face horns to confound them.

And crooooonin' galore.

The songs are a fair mix of the secular and non-secular both. Though the traditional hymms lean more towards slightly sober reflections, there's the effervescence and looseness throughout the disc of a band throwing down for a rollicking good time.

Harry adds a few tunes of his own to the holiday cannon as well, including a duet with George Jones (!) on the country-tinged "Nothin' New for the New Year." I'm personally partial to bomp of "The Happy Elf," an irresistable toe-tapper.

The North Pole just got a little hotter and spicier this year. And to answer one question put forth in an off-the-cuff remark in one of the Christmas classics here: Yes, I think Santa likes gumbo.

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible! Inspiring! Who IS this man?!, November 8, 2003

By	"ccandersen94" (Cove, UT USA) - See all my reviews

He's done it again! Harry IS Christmas! I thought that nobody would top his last Christmas album...I was wrong.

Frosty the Snowman is outta sight!
'I'm gonna be the first one' took me right back to those Christmas mornings. Thanks for writing that one Harry!
'Santa Claus is coming to town' reminds me of 'Next Door Blues'. You should see the kids dance to this one!
'I Come with Love' inspiration from the pen of the man.

I could go on and on.....but just go and get this one!
Every song made new as only Harry can do.

I used to wonder what it would be like to grow up in the time of Nat King Cole, Satchmo and Sinatra......now I think I'm very lucky to be here now!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Harry Christmas., October 31, 2003

By	Joe Goodwin (Dallas Texas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Once again, Harry doing what Harry does best - crooning with a big band - this time including orchestra. It kicks off (in Nick Hornby fashion) with 'Frosty the Snowman,' featuring Maynard Ferguson-esque trumpets screaming two octaves up, and rarely slows down from there. Holiday standards are punctuated with four original tunes which, while fun to listen to, probably won't become part of your Christmas caroling repertoire. And the 'cajun' knob is turned up a bit too high on some arrangements - seeming a bit forced at times - marring an otherwise polished performance. Still, you'd be hard pressed to find a better Christmas record if stranded on a desert island (they were crafty enough not to repeat tunes from his earlier Chrismas album) . . . actually, make that two.