We Are in Love
Harry Connick Jr. has a rare gift for summoning the style of classic 1940s saloon singing, hinting atFrank Sinatra,Tony Bennett, and especiallyDick Haymes, without engaging in actual impersonation. What's more uncanny still is his songwriting, an idiomatic command of the standards that often summons some of the rhythmic ease ofGershwin, the tunefulness ofJerome Kern, and the wit ofCole Porter. Both his singing and songwriting talents are evident on this CD, recorded in 1990 when Connick was just 22. Its emphasis is squarely on the subject of love, both on the ballads and some harder swinging tunes, and Connick's voice shines on original songs and the standards "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" and Porter's "It's All Right with Me." Connick's voice and piano are ably supported by bassist Ben Wolfe, drummer Shannon Powell, and a string section, while there are some good jazz solos by regular associateRussell Maloneon guitar and guestBranford Marsalison tenor and soprano saxophones.--Adam Rains