Music review: Harry Connick Jr. 鈥� 鈥楨very Man Should Know鈥�
Harry Connick Jr. makes a memorable return to songwriting on his latest 12-song effort, 鈥淓very Man Should Know,鈥� an eclectic mix of styles with hints of pop, country, R&B, jazz and blues. Saying he was ready to explore some of his own personal experiences on the new material, the 45-year-old New Orleans native offers an intimate and charming celebration of musical diversity.
Connick wrote and arranged all the new songs following up his funk-oriented release, 鈥淪mokey Mary,鈥� in February. On the title, Connick smoothly conveys a cozy, romantic vibe as he provides a gentleman鈥檚 guide on how to properly treat a lady. 鈥淥ne Fine Thing鈥� is a bluesy and seductive ballad that contains the ultimate compliment line, 鈥淵ou鈥檙e the reason that God rested on day seven.鈥� 鈥淚 Love Her鈥� possesses a lush 鈥�60s bossa nova flavor, while 鈥淕reatest Love Story鈥� radiates a rootsy, country-tinged taste exposing a new side to Connick鈥檚 sophisticated vocals.
The New Orleans-fused 鈥淔riend (Goin鈥� Home)鈥� is a heavenly, brass-filled slice of gospel accented with a soaring choir and infectious melody. Guest vocalist Kim Burrell and trumpeter Leroy Jones join Connick on the uplifting and vivacious 鈥淪鈥檖osed to Be.鈥�
Wynton Marsalis lends his trumpet talents to 鈥淏eing Alone鈥� as Connick鈥檚 vocals are reminiscent of Frank Sinatra in his prime.
Branford Marsalis gets in on the action, playing soprano sax on 鈥淟et Me Stay.鈥�
鈥淭ime to Go鈥� closes out the album, providing a moving portrayal about an aging entertainer struggling to stay relevant at the craft he loves. Along with the release of the new album, the three-time Grammy Award winner also issued a new single titled 鈥淟ove Wins.鈥�
Connick鈥檚 emotional arrangement is dedicated to Ana Grace Marquez-Greene, one of the children killed in the Newtown, Connecticut shooting and the daughter of his longtime friend and band member Jimmy Greene.
鈥淟ove Wins鈥� features Burrell, Doobie Powell, Nikki Ross, Jonathan Dubose Jr. and Greene on tenor saxophone. The song is available for download on iTunes with all of the proceeds going to the Ana Grace Fund.
Connick continues to be an all around first-class act, and 鈥淓very Man Should Know鈥� is yet another meritorious example of the numerous gifts he unselfishly is willing to share.