Harry On Broadway Act 1
This set sheds the spotlight on Harry Connick Jr.'s first two major musical-theater experiences. On disc 1, the cast-album recording ofThe Pajama Gamerevival, his role is limited to that of singer. On disc 2, which includes songs from his ownThou Shalt Not, he is composer, pianist, and interpreter. The revival ofThe Pajama Gameis all frothy fun and shows that Connick has what it takes to become a stage leading man. (He still sounds a little stiff at times, as in the spoken part of "Hey There" for instance.) Kelli O'Hara plays his love interest with spunky zest—-appropriate, considering her part has been played by both Janis Paige and Doris Day—-and it's hard to beat great tunes such as the aforementioned "Hey There," "Her Is," "Steam Heat" and "Hernando's Hideaway," performed here in a jumping eight-minute version. Note that both the show and the recording include three Richard Adler songs not in the original production: "If You Win, You Lose," "The World Around Us" (co-written with Jerry Ross) and "The Three of Us."Thou Shalt Notwas an interesting but flawed attempt, but this collection of songs—-some of which were in the show, some of which were cut from it-—works quite well on its own. Backed by his quartet (occasionally augmented by a discreet string section), Connick creates a jazzy, dimly-lit mood, especially on duets with Kelli O'Hara, such as "Can't We Tell" and the sumptuously melancholic "I Like Love More." Even when the pace slightly picks up on the Sinatra-esque "Oh! Ain't That Sweet," the general atmosphere remains classily subdued.--Elisabeth Vincentelli