Since September 2010, this blog has recorded the journey of this music junkie as I attempt to listen to all the music in my CD collection. CDs revisited in their entirety from start to finish - no skipping tracks, no shuffle. Compact Discs only - no vinyl, no tapes, no files.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Harry Connick, Jr. - 20 (1988)


NUMBERS WEEK (MARCH 14-20, 2011)

Recorded when he was 20 years old, this simple release has Connick trying to find his voice. It's all standards from the American Songbook, but for the most part the only musician is Connick, either playing solo piano, or accompanying himself while singing. This was released before Connick became popular through his association with the 1989 movie, When Harry Met Sally. Over the last 20+ years, Connick has been an actor, a big band singer, and a funk musician, but this remains one of his better releases. Connick would go on to release CDs titled 25 and 30, but I haven't heard them. After 30, he stopped naming albums after his age. Ah, denial.

Album chart peaks:
  • US Billboard 200: #133
  • Billboard Jazz: #6

Tracks: Connick has some good takes on Blue Skies, Lazy River, and Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me. Dr. John sits in on Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans and it is on of the better songs on the disc. Carmen McRae sings with Harry on Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone and takes Connick to school. Having a much better singer guest on your album is a rookie mistake and you hate to see it, but it didn't seem to slow down Connick's career. Easily the worse track is Stars Fell On Alabama which sounds like Connick was sightreading or drunk, or sightreading while drunk.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: I remember listening to this as a newlywed in our little rental house on Cameo Lane in Farmers Branch.

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