Oh, My Nola

Harry Connick Jr.

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 30, 2007)
• Original Release Date: January 30, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000I2KNU2
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #7,289 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #7 in	Music > Jazz > New Orleans Jazz
  #10 in	Music > R&B > Funk > Jazz Funk
  #83 in	Music > Jazz > Traditional Jazz & Ragtime

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Fresh off his Broadway stint in The Pajama Game, Harry Connick went back to his New Orleans roots and recorded a pair of albums in tribute to his hometown. Released the same day as the similarly themed but mostly instrumental Chanson du Vieux Carré, Oh, My Nola is a loose, effortlessly swinging album that ranks among Connick's best. He traces New Orleans' prodigious musical legacy with well-chosen covers peppered with some originals. Though he wrote only four tracks, at least one of them, "All These People," is a stand-out--a mid-tempo elegy about the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, with a strong contribution from gospel great Kim Burrell. When it comes to the covers, Connick chose tracks that either originated in New Orleans or found particular resonance there. The funky, exuberant take on Allen Toussaint's classic "Working in a Coal Mine" that opens the CD reflects the flavor of things to come, but even more fun are the seemingly left-field picks--you'll never think of "Hello Dolly" the same way after listening to the version found here. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Product Description
Having grown up in New Orleans, Harry Connick, Jr. is an iconic product of a city famous for its rich musical history. His new release, Oh, my Nola, is the endearing ode to the rebirth of his hometown and the bright spirit of her people. The album is an impressive collection of classic songs associated with the city and her culture, and also features four original compositions. Sony BMG Music Entertainment and Harry Connick, Jr. proudly sponsor the New Orleans Habitat Musicians Village. For more information, visit http://www.habitat-nola.org/projects/musicians_village.php.

More from Harry Connick, Jr.

When Harry Met Sally: Music From The Motion Picture	Come by Me	30
Only You	Harry On Broadway: Act 1	Chanson du Vieux Carre

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another exceptional Harry Connick, Jr. release, May 12, 2007

By	Musac Critic - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

OH,MY NOLA may be Harry Connick Jr.'s most superb big-band release in years. It is obvious from the very first track, first listen, that OH,MY NOLA is definitely on a different level than the good, though not nearly as exceptional 2004 release, ONLY YOU. OH, MY NOLA feels very true to Connick's Louisiana roots in its sound and it's overall concept. Connick's piano riffs/lines are much blusier with the obvious influence of gospel and funk music within the sound. This is inherently obvious on the opening track, "Workin' in a Coalmine" where the classic number feels like the 1970s funk of the late, great Maynard Ferguson's big band. The horns are sounding ferocious, Connick is sounding bluesier and even more soulful than he ever has, and everything is first rate.

"Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey" has the signature "Connick-sound" with a more jazzy feel than "Coal Mine" had. Connick's piano work is as creative and as low-key and plunky as ever. The extended instrumental introduction allows Connick some improvisatory room, moreso than most of his songs tend to showcase. The dissonant horn riffs somehow eventually resolve to consonance making "Bill Bailey" standard Connick territory. "Something You Got" resurrects the funky-blues of "Workin' on a Coal Mine", only it takes the feel to brand new heights. Here Harry truly puts on a show- background vocalists, James Brown worthy horn-riffs, and a killer groove with hints of organ! Connick is 3 for 3.

"Let Them Talk" turns out to be one of my very favorite tracks continuing with the "Nawlins sound". It slows the pace down for the first time and features a six-feel groove that is reminiscent of Percy Sledge's "When A Man Loves a Woman". The southern element and feel of this music is perhaps what makes OH MY NOLA feel more energized than ONLY YOU. Don't get me wrong, I liked ONLY YOU, but it wasn't my favorite Connick release. "Jambalaya (On The Bayou)" continues to assert Connick's souther pride while "Careless Love" feels like it should be the hymn missing from the Baptist Hymnal. "All These People" and "Yes We Can" sees Connick honing in on classic R&B ideals. "Yes We Can" in particular is on my top five from this album with its exceptional vocals and background vocals. Just fantastic, 8 for 8.

"Someday" opts for a jazzier, "standard" feel while "Oh My Nola" opts for a strictly New Orleans-style equipped with tuba within the instrumentation harkening back to the sound of Fletcher Henderson's big band. Trombone smears and glissandos, brilliant trumpet, bluesy piano riffs, and a big tuba sound make this number hot. "Elijah Rock" stands out because it essentially variations on the classic "Dry Bones". "Sheik of Araby" and "Lazy Bones" seek to keep the jazz tradition alive, while "We Make A Lot of Love", "Hello Dolly", and "Do Dat Thing" in the album on a positive note. There isn't one bad song, but I enjoy the ealier ones the most personally.

Overall, OH, MY NOLA is a very fine album. 4 stars.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Laissez les bon temps SWING!, February 26, 2007

By	Mark E. Hendricks (Wilton Manors, Florida USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I saw Mr. Connick, jr. and company last night in Miami at the wonderful new Performing Arts Center in downtown Miami([...]). They were fantastic. The things that I came away with were 1) A recollection of Harry's marvelous rapport with the audience (I had seen him previously in Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater, but had forgotten just what a natural he is at communicating with the crowd), and 2) His quite impressive keyboard virtuosity.

He played not only a Steinway, but also what I think was a Hammond B3 Organ, as well an upright piano. I have to say that his playing of the upright was the most impressive. He not only displayed amazing knowledge of the music of New Orleans, but also exhibited astounding chops. He used the occasion to, not only display his chops, but to do so in a way that was not cocky, but rather respectful of the musical heritage that belongs to both him and the musicians that accompanied him last night.

His first piece on the upright (a tribute to James Booker) was done in a fashion reminiscent of Leonard Bernstein's classic young musicians series for PBS. He started out by explaining a little of what formed the basis of the piece and then, after playing a bit, explained how Mr. Booker elaborated upon the original idea. Continuing in that vein, Harry added to the complexity of the piece until it reach a feverish pitch ... and then laid it on a bit more.

I would encourage anyone who wants to hear some real good, real 'feel good' music to grab a copy of 'Oh, My Nola!' I bought the disk at the show last night and, having heard it today, I can say that it is a gem.


God Bless New Orleans,
Mark Edward Hendricks

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Harry Swings New Orleans Style!, February 6, 2007

By	Floridasunshine "Floridasunshine" (holycow) - See all my reviews

I feel I must begin this with a disclaimer that I am a dedicated Harry Connick jr. fan. That said, I am finding this to be one of his most creative and exciting CD's. Harry mixes his own piano playing prowess and vocal charms, while still humbly showcasing the extraordinary talents of his fellow musicians. Harry almost holds back at time, making sure that it is the music that gets the spotlight instead of himself.

Jambalaya on the Bayou is my favorite track as it really gets me dancing and really shows off the talents of his band. I think it is pure genious the way the song totally changes tempo, style, beat, and range right in the middle and changes to a big band swing type sound.

Most of the songs on this CD are ones I have heard a gazillion times by many different artists in many different ways (there are only 4 new songs on the CD). But Harry has arranged them so differently and has put his own musical spin to them that makes them sound totally new!

Harry also mixes in moving tributes to post-Katrina New Orleans, but with a hope and passion that makes me know that pre-Katrina New Orleans music will not only come back, but will thrive and be better than ever!

By the way, if you arrange the order of the songs correctly on your iPod, it makes for a great workout CD, complete with warm-up, high energy, and cool down.