Music Review: Your Songs by Harry Connick Jr

Your Songs
by Harry Connick Jr.
Sony Music Distribution (September 22, 2009) ~ 14 tracks
Music / Jazz / Easy Listening

Edition Reviewed: CD ~ Review copy received courtesy of One2One Network

Perfect For: Background music for dinner party, party, drinks, etc. Background music at coffee shop, restaurant, business party/dinner. Great overall easy listening cd for relaxing, cooking, driving, etc.

My Thoughts: When I unwrapped Your Songs by Harry Connick Jr. and popped it into the cd player in my kitchen while I was making some scrumptious cream puffs for my husbands birthday, I don't know what I was expecting. . . but what I got was a wonderfully relaxing afternoon full of great and jazzy oldies. To fully understand what I'm talking about, you've got to see the track list:

Album Tracklisting (Originally performed by):
All The Way (Frank Sinatra)
Just The Way You Are (Billy Joel)
Can’t Help Falling In Love With You (Elvis Presley)
And I Love Her (The Beatles)
(They Long To Be) Close To You (The Carpenters)
Besame Mucho
The Way You Look Tonight
First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Roberta Flack)
Your Song (Elton John)
Some Enchanted Evening
And I Love You So (Don McLean)
Who Can I Turn To? (Tony Bennett)
Smile (Charlie Chaplin)
Mona Lisa (Nat King Cole)

While I didn't grow up listening to many (if any) of these songs, I was exposed to them via the wonderful movies on AMC, and a few favorite records I got from Golden Oldies Records here in the Seattle area (one of my favorites was a collection of favorite oldies by James Darren, which I used to listen to for hours at a time in my room). Listening to this cd really reminded me of those hours spent listening to the collection of favorites by James Darren, and I had a great afternoon (and many since then).

Your Songs would be great in many settings: listening to for relaxation/enjoyment, background music for MANY occasions (in both home and professional settings), and would be great for background music at a cocktail party or dinner party. Overall, this is not a ground-breaking cd with new sounds or twists on the classics ~ instead, it is a very safe, very nice mood/easy listening cd for background music or relaxing.

About the Artist: (from the One2One Network newsletter)

Singer, actor, composer, pianist, philanthropist, husband, father – Harry Connick, Jr. is all those things wrapped up in one (handsome!) package.

Harry's been indulging his musical passion since the age of 3, and played publicly for the first time at the age of 6! His career has been studded with awards and recognition, including several multi-platinum and gold albums, 25 million albums sold worldwide, Grammy, Tony and Emmy Awards; Oscar and Golden Globe nominations, and so much more.

Married since 1994 to model Jill Goodacre, they have three daughters ranging in ages from 7-13. And for Harry – family comes first – we love that!

About the Album: (from the One2One Network Newsletter)

On his new album entitled Your Songs, Harry performs classic songs by some of the greatest musicians of all time, with a full jazz big band and string orchestra! He collaborated with the legendary Clive Davis, who has managed & guided the careers of so many fantastic musicians (Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys, Kelly Clarkson). These songs are the tunes that you always find yourself humming along to when you hear them!

Music Review: Bible Belt by Diane Birch

Title: Bible Belt
Artist: Diane Birch



Soothing, inspiring, and hauntingly beautiful at times!!

Only in her mid-twenties, Diane Birch has a beautifully clear, mature voice that is sure to soothe and inspire at the same time. While slightly similar to Norah Jones in sound, Diane Birch has added her own special touch to her songs. Originally a pianist, this singer-songwriter is sure to become a favorite with her debut album Bible Belt, which is rapidly climbing in popularity (currently #30 on iTunes Top 100 Albums, #40 on Amazon in music).

This album is great to play while in the car or working on the computer. It is equally as nice for home use, while cooking, cleaning, or just hanging out. This album would make great background music for a get-together over coffee or dinner party.

While I've enjoyed listening to the entire album, after listening to the cd a few times, I've developed these favorites: Fools, Don't Wait Up and Choo Choo.

Listen to the Bible Belt music sampler here, via Amazon.

Tracks
1. Fire Escape
2. Valentino
3. Fools
4. Nothing But A Miracle
5. Rewind
6. Rise Up
7. Photograph
8. Don't Wait Up
9. Mirror Mirror
10. Ariel
11. Choo Choo
12. Forgiveness
13. Magic View



Album Description (from Amazon):
The daughter of a preacher, living between Zimbabwe, South Africa and Australia, before her parents finally settled in Portland, Oregon, Diane Birch absorbed a unique and very cosmopolitan perspective on life and rapidly cultivated a very individual style that defies categorization. The buzz is building as Music Week announced, "Diane has a voice and songwriting ability that will connect with truly global audiences."

Music Review: BHB by Ballas Hough Band

Title: BHB
Artist: Ballas Hough Band



Upbeat, Catchy and FUN - Great all-around music!!

You may be more familiar with the names Mark Ballas and Derek Hough from Dancing With The Stars, where these guys have proven that they can dance . . . and now they have proven that they can sing as well! This is a fun, upbeat cd that will have you smiling in no time. Pop music with a little more maturity, this album is sure to be a favorite among all-ages. At times this album is reminiscent of some of the more popular boy-bands such as N-Sync, and artists such as Justin Timberlake.

This album is great to use as background music at work, or listening in the car on the way home. It is equally as nice for home use, while cooking, cleaning, or just hanging out. If you haven't listened to them before, head over to Amazon, where you can listen to clips from each song - you may find a new all-around favorite!

Listen to their music sampler here, via Amazon.

Track List:
1. Do You Love Me
2. Devastated
3. Closer
4. She Was The One
5. Longing For
6. Birthday
7. Fall
8. Do It For You
9. Break Through
10. Together Faraway
11. Underwater

Album Description (from Amazon):
"We wrote the majority of our album ourselves. It's not like we looked through a catalog and picked out some songs." To that end, the Ballas Hough Band's debut puts a deeply personal spin on pop, with songs like "Fall" and "Devastated," which recount worldly lives that left a trail of broken hearts. "When we first started playing our music for the label, our A&R guy was, like, 'Man, what's wrong with you guys? We need more positivity!' All our songs were negative and hurtful, because Mark and I have been in a lot of relationships that have really hurt us. We were just going off life experience. He was probably thinking we're not old enough to know, but we do. We get music from hurt, so we had a lot to work with."

To channel those emotions in the studio, they turned to in demand producer John Fields (Jimmy Eat World, Jonas Bros., Andrew W.K.), who, not unexpectedly, didn't have high hopes for an album by a couple of dancers. "When we first went in to work with him, you could tell he was pretty skeptical," says Derek, who was a big fan of Fields' work with Switchfoot. "He'd only agreed to do one song, but once we started laying down tracks, he saw that we could write and play and we had this great chemistry. We ended up doing nine songs with him." Adds Mark: "Once he jumped on board, it was like a freight train. He has amazing vision and we were on the same wavelength 100 percent of the time. Everything turned out exactly like I hoped it would." On the Maroon 5-flavored "Devastated" and "She Was The One," Ballas Hough Band worked with Eric Valentine, who produced the latest album by All American Rejects. "Where John is, like, boom, boom, boom, Eric is more about cool and controlled mayhem," says Derek. "He doesn't wear shoes, he's very soft-spoken, and he looks at music as a science."

Of the songs that aren't BHB originals, the first single, "Do It For You," was co-written by new American Idol judge Kara Dioguardi and makes for the perfect introduction to the band's pop sensibilities. "It's really catchy, like one of those songs you walk away singing that gets stuck in your head," says Mark, "It's rhythmic, hooky and huge." But he's perhaps most proud of the song "Longing For," the final song he wrote for the album. It features Mark's intricate guitar-work, Emily's wistful harmonies, tug-at-your-heartstrings melodies and lyrics that read like the love letter ever girl pines for: I remember the first time that you and I met / And the look in your eye was something I could never forget / When you're with me baby you never need to pretend / Tell me what do you need / I want to be the reason you breathe.

"We've been working extremely hard, putting in 14-hour days, playing two shows a night," Derek confesses. "But we do it because it's what we love. And hopefully, this album will speak to an audience who will look at us as singers, writers, and players. We want to be known for our music."

Music Review: Il Divo - The Promise

Title: The Promise
Artist: Il Divo



Strong, Powerful and Moving - Great for This Holiday Season

Il Divo is back, with a new cd filled with beautifully moving songs. Special note: all of the songs are in Spanish except for Amazing Grace, which is sung in English. This has disappointed some listeners, but I love it! For me, the words are not as powerful as the sound, and the sound does not disappoint. My favorite songs on this album are La Promesa, Angelina and Amazing Grace.

This album is great to use as background music for a dinner party. It is equally as nice for relaxing with a book and cup of coffee or tea. If you haven't listened to them before, head over to Amazon, where you can listen to clips from each song - you may find a new favorite!

Album Description (from Amazon):
Il Divo are back refreshed, reinvigorated and ready to remind the world in 2008 just what they have been missing. Four of the greatest operatic voices in the world come together again to create their unique signature sound to re-interpret popular romantic songs. The Promise features 12 songs once again produced by Steve Mac (Il Divo, The Christmas Collection, Ancora, Siempre). The Promise is Il Divo's first release in two years. Il Divo have become an international sensation bringing the sound of opera to the world of popular music since their debut in 2002. Il Divo has sold over 22 million albums worldwide.

Music Review: Linda Eder - The Other Side of Me

Title: The Other Side of Me
Artist: Linda Eder



Strong, Inspirational and Flowing

I have just discovered Linda Eder, who has worked on Broadway, and has now released her 10th cd - a mix of pop/country music! I have really enjoyed this cd. It is great for listening around the house, in the car, and generally trying to have some "me" time (I find I don't listen to music as much when others are in the house as we don't always enjoy the same music).

I can honestly say I don't dislike any of the songs on the cd - which I generally don't say. Now and again, Linda Eder's voice has qualities that remind me of early Barbara Streisand - just a hint now and again, but for certain notes - it's there. If You Believe (The Way I Do) is my favorite song because it just washes over me in and pulls me along with the melody, and my next favorite is Lifted because she speaks of our soldiers coming home. Makes me smile!!

She has a wonderful voice, and I highly recommend this cd. Head over to Amazon (or another site that offers clips of the music) and check out her latest cd - if you aren't already a fan, you probably will be!

Music Review: Idina Menzel's I Stand

Title: I Stand
Artist: Idina Menzel



Soulful, Inspirational and Wonderfully Clear

I am a relatively new fan of Idina Menzel, but as a result of listening to her new cd I Stand, I am searching for everything she has done so far! I have really enjoyed listening to her newest cd . . . in the car, working at my computer and especially when I need some "me" time.

Idina's voice is wonderfully clear, and she has a great vocal range. I Stand is a nicely flowing song that is quite enjoyable to listen to. My favorite song of the cd is Better to Have Loved, which to me has a haunting melody that simply catches your attention and doesn't let go. It seems like she has really poured feeling into this song. A very second close favorite is Brave - the melody is very inspiring. I find myself humming this song throughout the day. My Own Worst Enemy is another favorite (I find it hard not to list the entire album as a favorite) - again, it has a haunting melody and the song is full of feeling.

If you take the time to really listen to this cd, it is very inspiring and heartfelt. I highly recommend that fans of Idina's work (both acting/broadway and singing) go ahead and pick up this cd, and if you aren't a fan yet, pick it up and you soon will be!